Your Go-To Guide to Spring Cleaning Like a Pro

Kitchen

Cleaning around the kitchen is super important, but should be handled with care and attention to detail. If you’re not sure if the products you have are safe for food preparation surfaces, be sure to take a moment to research this and find alternatives if necessary. Here is a general list of cleaning tasks for the kitchen:

Clean all appliance interiors and exteriors (stove, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, etc.) Clean and sanitize countertops and backsplash Clean, degrease, and deodorize sink Clean and degrease cabinets

Vacuum refrigerator coils Review and toss out expired food from the fridge and pantry Shake and vacuum out rugs Clean and sanitize cutting boards

Living Room

Whether you live alone or with others, the living room is almost always the social center of the home. Even if you really only stay on the couch and binge your favorite shows and movies, the space could always use tlc. Plus there’s no telling how many house parties and friends you’ll be hosting as the weather warms up.

It’s finally time to say goodbye to the crumbs that have accumulated in the cushions and around the floor, as well as that musty smell left behind from a spilled drink. You spend a good amount of time in the living room, why not give it the deep cleaning it deserves? Here is our list of cleaning tasks you can complete around the living room:

• Vacuum upholstered furniture
• Wash any furniture slip covers and pillow covers
• Dust blinds and window trim
• Shake out and vacuum rugs
• Wash throw blankets
• Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Dust and wipe down wall hangings and decor pieces
• Clean and sanitize electronics

Bedrooms

Outside of your living room, the bedroom should probably be one of the coziest rooms in your home. Your bedroom is your personal space and should be calming and inviting, ready for each evening as you crawl into bed. But somehow, there always seems to be an accumulation of clothing and clutter around the room.

Spring cleaning is the best time to do some serious decluttering in the closets around the home as well. The transition in seasons is the perfect time of year to review what you wore and didn’t wear the previous season, so make sure to be ruthless in your purging. Here are a few spring cleaning tasks you can incorporate when cleaning your bedroom:

• Strip and wash bedding
• Deodorize and rotate mattress
• Purge and reorganize closets
• Move and vacuum under furniture
• Clean and declutter under bed
• Dust and wipe down wall decor pieces

Bathrooms

No one enjoys walking into or using a dirty bathroom. Hopefully you keep up with the regular cleaning and upkeep of the bathrooms around your house throughout the year, so spring cleaning won’t be too different.

Bathrooms can be bacteria magnets, so it is very important to keep these rooms clean and sanitized regularly. Be sure to thoroughly wipe down and sanitize the high-touch surfaces around the bathroom every day, not just as part of a cleaning routine. Here are a few of the cleaning tasks you can tackle in the bathroom:

Review and throw out expired cosmetics and toiletries Wash and sanitize bath mats and towels Replace shower liner and wash shower curtain Review and throw out expired medications

Clean and sanitize shower/tub, sink, and toilet Clean mirror and shower glass Clean and brighten tile grout

Outdoor Areas

When you think of spring cleaning, your mind probably sticks to all the cleaning you’ll be doing inside your home. But please don’t forget about the spaces outside your home during the cleaning process. With warmer weather on the way, you’ll want to make sure your outdoor spaces are clean and ready for hosting.

Sure, that may mean some more extensive effort and probably some lawn care that you maybe didn’t plan for, but it’s worth it we promise. No matter the size or scope of your outdoor space, you’ll want to make sure it is inviting and ready for any potential guests. Here are a few of our recommended cleaning tasks for outside your home:

Hose down, sweep, and clean front and back porch Shake out or replace welcome mat Clear front pathway of debris and overgrowth Check for damages on furniture

Clean and set furniture Clean and degrease grill Hose down your driveway and treat weeds

Miscellaneous Spaces

Where the main rooms of your home are clean and ready for the coming weather, you can change focus to the smaller areas. Rooms like the garage, laundry room, play room, and home office need some serious cleaning and decluttering as well so don’t leave them out of your checklist.

Every home is different and can contain any assortment of rooms that serve any number of purposes. Make sure you put in just as much effort when cleaning these side rooms as you would the rest of your home, dust and bacteria can accumulate on almost every surface. Here are a handful of tasks you can include when you deep clean any of the side rooms in your home:

Pack up and organize out of season decor and clothing Clean out lint trap and dryer vent Clean and sanitize washing machine Clear out some boxes from storage Review and shred unnecessary office files

Clean and sanitize kids’ and pet toys Sanitize computer keyboard and mouse Clean and declutter tools, toys, and sporting equipment in garage Sweep out debris and leaves from garage

Extra Tips and Tricks

As you work through your home to complete your spring cleaning checklist, there can be a few things you may miss or disregard in the process. That’s okay, we all miss some details here and there once in a while. To help you stay focused and motivated while you clean, here are some of our favorite tips and tricks:

• Make sure you have a complete list of cleaning and decluttering tasks on hand before you get started so that you’ll be able to be as detailed as possible as you clean. You’ll also be more motivated to keep cleaning as you check more tasks off the list.
• The more thoroughly you clean around your home and the more frequently you can keep up with a regular cleaning schedule, the fewer allergens will be floating around and the healthier you will be!
• When you’re cleaning around your house, we always always always suggest cleaning from top to bottom. If you’re living in a multi-story home that means working from the top floor to the basement, and if you’re in an apartment that will mean cleaning from your ceilings to your floors. We recommend this because as you work from high to low dust can settle on lower surfaces. So by cleaning top to bottom, you ensure that every speck of dust is swept away when you clean.
• Don’t shy away from doing your research about the cleaning products you use. Some of the highest rated cleaning products on the market are not always the best product for every home. If you ever have any doubts about whether or not a product is safe to use in and around your home, kids, or pets, consider looking into tried and true alternatives.
• Check social media for cleaning inspiration, motivation, and even product recommendations. Some of the best cleaning tips and tricks can be found in the strangest places if you know where to look. Many people often find their motivation in posting their cleaning journey online, so don’t be afraid to show the world just how much you can accomplish within your home!

Some Final Information

Now that you have a general idea of what to clean up in and around your home, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. First, spring cleaning doesn’t just have to be reserved for spring. In fact, any time there is a transition of seasons is a great time to deep clean and declutter around the house. We highly suggest doing a spring cleaning type of project at least twice a year.

Second, remember to clean at your own pace. If you don’t have the time or energy to knock out your entire checklist in one day or even one weekend, that’s okay! You can break your spring cleaning down into manageable chunks and go by room or go by a set of tasks. Set a cleaning goal for yourself and do your best to reach it, when you do you’ll feel accomplished and motivated to keep going.

If you are struggling to keep up with a regular cleaning schedule and a thorough deep clean is out of the question, don’t worry. Everyone struggles to maintain a clean environment and there’s no shame in admitting that you need some help. Be sure to check out our Boston Spring Cleaning services, we’re happy to help you make sure you and your home are taken care of. Be sure to check out our website to browse our range of services and read through our blog to find some more cleaning tips and tricks.