Spring Cleaning with the Complete Cleaning Checklist
The best way to start your spring cleaning is by making a list. I love making lists and crossing things off; it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I usually walk around the house making a list of everything that needs to be done. Then, I set daily or weekly goals so as not to get overwhelmed by all the projects I made for myself.
If you have no idea where to start, here is a simple checklist you can use to get started:
General Cleaning
- dust crown molding and baseboards
- dust ceiling corners
- dust baseboards and clean scuff marks
- dust/wash light fixtures and lamps
- dust ceiling fans
- wash doors
- wash walls
- touch up paint
- vacuum or wash window curtains
- wash window blinds
- clean windows
- dust bookcases
- polish wood furniture
- wipe down and vacuum furniture
- condition leather furniture
- remove stains from upholstered furniture
- vacuum and wash lampshades
- Deep clean hardwood, tile, linoleum, and carpet flooring
- shampoo carpet
- remove rugs to shake out, then vacuum, clean under them
- vacuum all flooring, including corners and edges
- clean air vents
- dust around mirrors, picture frames, and wall hangings
- replace light bulbs
- change the air/furnace filter
- replace batteries in the smoke detector
- replace batteries in carbon monoxide detector
- schedule chimney sweep
- schedule termite or pest control maintenance
Kitchen Cleaning
- remove anything from the kitchen that doesn’t belong
- clean and disinfect the trash can
- clean the microwave
- Deep clean the dishwasher
- clean and organize the refrigerator
- clean and organize the freezer
- Replace the refrigerator water filter
- vacuum refrigerator coils
- clean the oven
- clean the hood vent and change the filter if needed
- clean stove top burners
- clean and disinfect the garbage disposal
- clean and organize storage containers
- reorganize kitchen cabinets and drawers
- clean and organize kitchen drawers
- straighten cups, mugs, and glass cabinets and eliminate the unnecessary
- straighten plates, bowls, and other dishes and eliminate the unnecessary
- Deep clean pots, pans, and bakeware
- organize the pantry
- sanitize cutting boards and sharpen knives
- clean and disinfect the coffee maker
- clean and disinfect small appliances
- clean and disinfect high chairs
- clean the pot rack
- check the freshness of your herbs and spices
- clean under the sink and eliminate the unnecessary
- deep clean and polish cabinet doors
- clean tile and touch up paint on walls
- deep clean floors
- disinfect door knobs, light fixtures and pulls
- set up a meal plan
Bathroom
- Clean air vents
- Clean and disinfect light switches and fixtures
- Clean and disinfect toothbrush holders
- Clean and refill soap dish and/or pump
- Clean light fixtures
- Clean make-up brushes
- Clean mirror
- Clean shower curtain and liner
- Clean shower door frame
- Clean shower glass
- Disinfect countertops
- Dust and clean windows, inside and out
- Polish faucets
- Mop and hand scrub floors
- Scrub and disinfect toilet, including around base, under seat and around hinges
- Scrub the bathtub and/or shower
- Scrub walls
- Unclog and refill lotion dispensers
- Wash bathroom cup
- Wash floor mat
- Wash hand/guess towels
- Wash trash can
- Wipe down cabinets, knobs, towel racks and toilet paper holder
- Remove rust from toilet seat screws
- Tighten toilet seat hinges
- Clean bathroom exhaust fan
- Clean shower head
- Polish wood cabinets
- Caulk around bathtub
- Re-seal tile and grout
- Unclog drains
- Toss beauty products not used over the past year
- Toss expired make-up
- Clean, organize and de-clutter cabinets and drawers
- Clean, organize and de-clutter bathroom closet
Laundry Room
- clean dryer vent
- clean inside washing machine
- empty washing machine drain pump
- dust crown molding, wall corners, and floor molding
- dust behind and underneath washer and dryer
- sweep and mop floors
- reseal tile grout
- wash walls
- clean and organize contents on shelving
- eliminate unnecessary cleaning products
- install organizers to hold cleaning products
- disinfect door knobs and light switch plates
Living/Family Room
- take anything that doesn’t belong in the room and put it in the correct location
- dust crown molding, wall corners, and floor molding
- vacuum and shampoo carpet
- vacuum under furniture and in between cushions
- condition leather furniture
- dust ceiling fans
- switch ceiling fans to spin clockwise
- clean lights and wash light globes
- dust lamps
- vacuum lamp shades
- declutter
- dust and polish furniture and bookshelves
- dust edges of wall hangings, mirrors, and pictures
- clean windows and window sills
- remove scuff marks from doors and moldings
- disinfect door knobs and light switch plates
- dust electronics
- organize electronics and accessories
- disinfect remote controls and gaming devices
Dining Room
- eliminate unnecessary items
- dust crown molding, wall corners, and floor molding
- scrub walls
- clean and disinfect light switches and outlets
- dust and polish wood cabinets
- dust and clean windows, inside and out
- clean and declutter hutch cabinets and drawers
- wash table linens
- wash table cushions
- clean light fixtures and wash globes
- disinfect table and wipe down all chairs, including legs and underneath
- remove rug, shake, vacuum and clean floor before replacing rug
Bedrooms
- take anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom and put it in the correct location
- dust ceiling, corners, and upper and lower crown moldings
- dust baseboards and window sills
- dust and polish furniture
- dust edges of wall hangings, mirrors, and pictures
- clean glass and mirrors
- dust lamps
- vacuum lamp shades
- polish wood furniture
- picked up, folded laundry and remove everything that doesn’t belong
- dust ceiling fan
- clean light fixtures and light globes
- organize your closet
- switch seasonal clothing and donate unneeded items
- clean and organize your dresser
- clean and organized your nightstand(s)
- flip and rotate your mattress
- clean your mattress
- clean under your bed
- wash bedsheets
- wash pillows
- clean windows and window sills
- vacuum carpet, including edges and under furniture
- shampoo carpet
- remove scuff marks from doors and moldings
- disinfect door knobs and light switch plates
Playroom/Toys
- sort and categorize kid toys
- clean toys, gaming systems, and stuffed animals
Office
- spring clean your paperwork
- clean out files and shred unneeded documents
- update home inventory documents
- review insurance policies
- check credit report
- spring clean your computer, keyboard, and mouse
- clean and organize desk drawers
- dust and polish wood furniture
- dust bookshelves
Outdoors
- sweep deck
- power wash deck
- stain deck
- power spray siding
- touch up paint trim, wood, doors, and shutters
- power wash garage door
- clean outside door frames
- wipe away cobwebs
- shake out entry mat
- clean grill
- clean and repair gutters
- replace broken bricks, wood, or stone
- clean outdoor light fixtures
- wash outside windows
- clean outside patio furniture
- trim trees, bushes and shrubbery
- check and repair sprinklers
- inspect roof shingles
- wipe away cobwebs
- plant flowers
- plant garden
- add mulch
- clean outdoor trash cans
- clean out garage
- wash and wax vehicles
