Spring is here! It is time to shake off those winter blues. Soon the flowers will be blooming, birds will be chirping, if they haven’t already. One of the best ways to embrace this transition is to do a little spring cleaning and start with a plan. Spring cleaning gives us a fresh slate as we prepare our homes for the busier spring and summer seasons.
Whether this is a solo project or you plan to recruit family members, we’ve got some tips to get started:
Start with a Cleaning List
Put together a comprehensive list of everything you want to accomplish. This will give you a big picture of what you hope to achieve. It will also help you organize your tasks and manage your progress. Your list will serve as a running tab of what has been done and what has not. It will be especially helpful if you have a team doing the work (i.e. your household members).
This brings us to our next reason for creating a list – Delegating tasks! Write team members’ names next to each task they are responsible for giving everyone direction. When the task is complete, each person can cross it off the list (which can be a satisfying action itself).
One last thing – make sure to leave room for additions as things may pop up along the way.
Check Your Stock and Equipment
You have your plan of action so what is next? Make sure you have all the cleaning supplies you need to do the job. It hinders progress when you have to stop in the middle of cleaning to go buy more supplies. It’s also a good time to check your cleaning equipment. Make sure you have filters and supplies for your vacuums, steam mops, etc. and make sure that they are in good working condition.
Delegate Duties
This is the point where personal preference comes into play. You can delegate rooms or specific tasks or both. Don’t be afraid to get the whole family involved! After all, they contribute to the mess, right? Each person can start by de-cluttering and organizing items throughout the house, room-by-room. It’s also a good idea to designate a tote or box for items that you want to get rid of or donate. This includes clothing, especially if you are transitioning from a winter to summer wardrobe.
Young children can be excellent helpers when given age-appropriate tasks. Starting your child off young with cleaning chores will help them learn responsibility, not to mention good hygiene habits. Give your 5-year-old a dusting glove or two, play their favorite music and watch them dust away!
Older children can help with dusting as well as wiping down kitchen counters, vacuuming, mopping the floors or other complex tasks. Make spring cleaning a household endeavor and establish a household reward as an incentive to get the work done.
Don’t forget to introduce them to the list ;-)
Implement Your Spring Cleaning Plan
Time to initiate your plan of action – you can either start with tasks (dusting, wiping down walls and baseboards, etc.) or choose to go room by room. We prefer the room-by-room option as it allows you to isolate areas for thorough cleaning and to focus on the details.
In addition to your donation tote, you will also want a tote for misplaced items (i.e. toys in the dining room, socks under the couch, etc.) and a tote for items that need to go into storage (i.e. seasonal décor ).
Aim to find a home for tote items after finishing each room to avoid another build up.
Once you clear out the clutter, it’s time to start the cleaning process. First things first, start from top to bottom. Dust and clean ceiling fans, wipe down walls and clean the windows. Make sure to remove and wash curtains and do not forget to clean the curtain rods, which are often neglected. Then proceed to dust and clean the tallest furniture in the room working your way down to the baseboard and floors.
This is also a good time to identify minor nicks in the walls, ceilings, trim and floors for repair, and to consider applying a fresh coat of paint.
The Ultimate Spring-Cleaning Checklist
The following is a checklist of things to consider in each room of your home that may need some deep cleaning.
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Kitchen Sink (including underneath)
Drains
Microwave
Countertops
Cutting Boards
Pots & Pans
Oven
Cabinets
Small Appliances
Pantry
Dining Room
Table/Chairs
Hutch/Curio Cabinet (including underneath)
Living Room
Furniture (including underneath)
Light Fixtures
Shelving Units (including underneath)
Bedrooms
Bedding/Mattress
Underneath Beds
Closets
Kids’ Toys
Clothes (transitioning to warmer wear)
Bathroom
Toilet
Bathtub (Grout)
Drains
Shower Curtain
Medicine Cabinet
Sink (including underneath)
Storage Closet
All Rooms
Ceiling Fixtures
Windows
Curtains and Rods
Walls
Baseboards
Junk Drawers
Furniture
Wall Fixtures/Pictures
Outside
Doormats
Patio Furniture
Garage and Shed
Other Items to Consider
Vacuum
Broom
Reusable Grocery Bags
Make-up Cabinet
Washing/Drying Machine
Electronics
Purses
Shoes
Vehicles
For more cleaning tips, check out this blog post featuring advice from our professionals.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
