Spring is here, and with the kiddos being at home for an entire week, it’s the perfect time to do some spring cleaning. With so much to clean in such little time, here are 35 items you might be inclined to pass up this season but definitely shouldn’t.
1 - Cabinets
Most home-owners don’t really think of the cabinets as something they have to clean regularly, but if not maintained, cabinets can build-up dirt and grease. Try using a cabinet cleaning solution and sanitizing the cabinet handles and knobs with an antibacterial agent.
2 - Windows
The windows are the eyes of our homes, and we must keep them as clean as we do our own human eyes. Remember to not only clean the windows through the inside, but on the outside as well. Any regular window cleaning agent should do the trick, although some home owners have been known to use newspapers to leave their windows spotless. Don’t forget to clean the screens, blinds and curtains as well. Remember to read all cleaning instructions on your curtains before just throwing them into the washer.
3 - Countertops
Home owners clean their countertops pretty regularly, but you need to be sure to check if your stone countertops need to be resealed. How do you know? Throw a few water droplets on the countertop. If they bead, you’re good to go. If the countertop soaks them in, it’s time to reseal.
4 - Dishwasher
Why clean something that cleans other things? Doesn’t it self-clean? One would think, but this is not the case. Food particles and other debris can remain trapped at the bottom of the dishwasher, and grease can begin to build up. Be sure to clean out any crumbs left at the bottom of your dishwasher. To clean out the rest of the dishwasher, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe cup on the top rack and sprinkle baking soda all across the bottom. Then run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle. This will help get rid of any musty odors and wash away any grease.
5 - Refrigerator
This is the keeper of our food. Be sure to not just clean the inside of the refrigerator, but the outside as well by wiping down all sides of the appliance, sweeping underneath it and cleaning the coils in the back. Be sure to replace any filters and empty out and clean the ice tray. Placing an open box of baking soda in the back of your refrigerator will help eliminate nasty odors.
6 - Silverware
We eat with it every day, so why not give it a deep clean? Boil one liter of water with a tablespoon of baking soda and a piece of aluminum foil. Place the silverware in the solution for roughly 10 seconds to remove any tarnish. Still didn’t do the trick? Create a paste with ¼ cup of baking soda and two tablespoons of water to remove thick, heavy tarnish that may remain.
7 - Floors
Remember to sweep or vacuum underneath all furniture, inside any nooks and behind all doors where dust bunnies tend to linger. Also remember to clean along the trim of your floor where dust also tends to accumulate. If you have wood floors, be sure to use furniture trivets and saucers to prevent scratching. If you’re spot cleaning your carpet, be sure to dab, not rub the stain.
8 - Tiled Surfaces
This includes tile countertops, showers and walls. Try using a neutral pH cleaner to clean your tiled surfaces or you can use a home-made cleaner made from ½ cup of baking soda in 2 gallons of water. Be sure to clean the grout thoroughly as germs and bacteria tend to hide in these crevices.
9 - Oven
This guy takes on long and hard cooking jobs, and it needs to be cleaned accordingly. Remove the racks and soak them in water with ½ cup of powdered or liquid dishwasher detergent for several hours before rinsing. You can do the same for your stove racks. Inside the oven, spread a paste made from ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Let the paste sit overnight and wipe away the paste with water or vinegar the next day.
10 - Closets
This guy holds all of our skeletons, and by skeletons we mean clothes we haven’t worn in ages. Throw away any clothes that is no longer wearable and donate good clothes you haven’t worn in a while or don’t plan on wearing. The remaining clothes can be organized either by color or clothes type. What other ways can you think of to organize your closet?
11 - Washing Machine
Don’t these things clean themselves? Nope! To clean this appliance, run the machine with hot water and then pour distilled white vinegar and baking soda into the machine. Let the solution sit for about an hour and then run another hot-water cycle. Don’t forget to clean any crevices as dust and dirt tends to accumulate in the corners.
12 -Bedding & Mattresses
Your sheets and pillow cases should be washed about every two weeks, and the bed skirt should be washed periodically as well. For a deeper clean, try vacuuming the mattress after sprinkling baking soda on it, spot clean stains with upholstery cleaners and sanitize it with disinfecting spray.
13 - Walls
Believe it or not, dust can even accumulate on vertical surfaces such as your walls. Spot clean any stains with water. If the stains persist, try cleaning them with water and a bit of dishwashing liquid.
14 - Bookshelves
Bookshelves tend to collect dust in the crevices even if we don’t frequent the items they hold. Try removing everything from the shelves and wiping down all of the surfaces. Before placing everything back on the shelves, organize all of the items to have a fully functional and well-organized bookshelf.
15 - Cleaning Supplies
Another case of cleaning the cleaners, try washing your brooms in soapy water, vacuuming them or getting a new one altogether.
16 - Area Rugs
Believe it or not, cleaning experts say area rugs don’t need to be cleaned that often. When you do clean them, try using club soda to get any stains out.
17 - Patio furniture
Patio furniture is still furniture and must be cleaned just like the inside ones. Try washing or dusting any fabric surfaces and pressure washing any solid surfaces.
18 - Deck & Porch
Just because it’s outside doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be cleaned. Try brightening up your patio by pressure washing the surface and dusting any welcome mats.
19 - Light Fixtures
Despite hanging high above the room, light fixtures collect quite a bit of dust over time. Try wiping down the surfaces with disinfecting wipes or dust collectors to make sure your room stays properly lit. This includes cleaning the blades of your ceiling fans as well as light covers on the walls and ceilings.
20 - Doors
Doors collect dust as well. Be sure to clean your door and any crevices on it with a disinfecting wipe. Be sure to also clean the door knobs, hinges and frame as dust can collect in these areas as well. If you have sliding doors, clean out the tracks as dirt begins to accumulate there with time.
21 - Vanities
Vanities can tend to become cluttered. This is a great time to empty any unused products and wipe down the surface.
22 - Toilets
Although you should be cleaning your toilet regularly, it doesn’t hurt to do a deep clean by removing the cover and cleaning around the seat bolts.
23 - Showers
Showers begin to collect gunk, mildew and slime from the water. Thoroughly clean your shower with a shower cleaner or with a homemade mixture. Mix 1 cup of vinegar, ½ cup baking soda, 1 cup ammonia and a gallon and a half of hot water. With cleaning gloves, apply the mixture to the shower walls, using a sponge to scrub and rinse them down. Cleaning the shower with any chemical compound can be hazardous if the area is not well-ventilated. Be sure to crack open a window open and get plenty of fresh air while cleaning the shower.
24 - Faucets
Most faucets can be cleaned with a mixture of 2 cups of warm water with 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Apply the mixture to the faucet with a toothbrush covered in baking soda. Before washing the mixture off, use a piece of dental floss to clean out the crevices and cracks of the faucet. Finally, rinse the faucet with cold water and dry it off with a micro-fiber cloth.
25 - Microwave
This speedy cooker is known to splatter food all over the place. To clean this appliance, place a large bowl with 1 cup of water, a tablespoon of vinegar and a cut–up lemon, lime or orange. Turn the microwave on high until the water boils or the window gets steamy. Wait a few minutes before opening the door and wiping clean. Wash the plate and spinning ring in the sink as you would any other dish. Use a damp sponge to clean the rubber gasket around the edge of the door. To clean the window of any grease, use a vinegar-water mix.
26 - Toaster
This brave little guy collects crumbs like crazy. To clean your toaster, gently brush any crumbs off the sides of the toaster walls with a brush from top to bottom. Remove the crumb tray and clean with a sponge soaked in dishwashing solution.
27 - Tables & Chairs
Although the dining room table is cleaned regularly after meals, be sure to clean out any crevices with a toothpick or toothbrush. Chairs with fabric should be vacuumed or spot cleaned with a cleaning solution and any dust should be removed from around the bottom of the table and chair legs.
28 - Sofas
Sofas collect dust and dirt just like any other surface. They should be vacuumed or dusted depending on the type of material your sofas are made out of. Remember to clean beneath, behind and in-between the sofa cushions. You never know how much loose change you can find.
29 - Wiring
While you’re tidying up the rest of your house, take the time to organize any electronic wiring around the house from TVs and other electronics. Tape, twisty ties and zip ties serve well to organize wiring.
30 - Vents
These guys always get ignored, but often collect a lot of dust. Use a dust collector, vacuum or toothbrush to clean your vents.
31 - Exterior
If you’re cleaning the inside of the house, you might as well clean the outside. Use a pressure washer to clean your house and all concrete pathways.
32 - Gutters
Get your leaves out of the gutter, literally. Make sure that your gutters are clean to ensure they work properly. Use a gutter cleaner to make sure all debris is removed.
33 - Garage
Garages are often used to harbor clutter. Take this time to organize your garage into a functional storage space using storage boxes, crates and other storage containers and organizers.
34 - Safety Devices
This is a great time to make sure your safety devices such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and flashlights are functioning. These items also tend to collect dust, so be sure to keep them clean to ensure they function properly.
35 - Digital Space
You’ve spent the majority of the time organizing your physical space, but don’t forget to clean out your digital space by clearing your desktop, organizing your files, clearing and organizing your calendar and cleaning out your contacts. Don’t forget to back up your computer regularly and change your passwords periodically.