There’s nothing like a good spring clean to make you feel more optimistic about every part of your life. Suddenly, your home feels fresh and new, and waking up in the morning is easier because there isn’t a mess and grime waiting for you the moment you open your eyes. You’re actually able to relax after work because there isn’t a mountain of chores waiting for you.
So a spring clean sounds great, but how do you actually do it? The following will break down the steps you need to take to tackle a deep house clean. If you’ve got a ton of laundry, you can be doing that in tandem with the below list. Don’t forget your bedding and any curtains!
Start With The Things You Want Out
Let’s start by getting rid of all the items you want out. That nightstand you took when your friend moved, that they’re not coming back to get. The leftover flooring from when you did construction four years ago. Those things you have no idea where they came from, but somehow they ended up in your garage.
For many people, this is the most emotionally draining part of the process. It can be hard to get rid of things, especially if we associate them with a memory. As you go through things, ask yourself: Is this essential? Is it beautiful? If the answer to both of these questions is no, you probably don’t need to keep it around.
Donate anything you can (especially right now, people need all the help they can get) and toss out the rest. If you have a lot of stuff to get rid of, consider a dumpster rental. This can end up saving you money if you’re driving to and from the dump several times and paying for the weight of your rubbish.
Put Items Away
Once all the stuff you want gone is nowhere to be seen, you can do a quick tidy. Pick up things that are left on the floor, table, or anywhere else and put them away. This will probably be way easier for you since you’ve made a fair bit of space by getting rid of the things you don’t want to keep around.
Windows, Trim, Fans, Lights, And Ceilings
Now that the house is looking somewhat decent mess-wise, it’s time to start tackling dirt. We’re going to start with a broad category that has to do with light and air. When you’re done with this step, you’ll be able to open the windows for a nice cross breeze and actually enjoy the quality of the light in your home. Lighting makes a massive difference to our mood. You might even want to switch out your bulbs for ones that mimic the color of natural daylight during this step.
- Clean the windows (inside and out)
- Scrub down the trim inside your homeÂ
- Wash any ceiling fans and floor fans (you might have to take them apart for this)
- Wash the lights (dusting lamps and ceiling fixtures, taking apart and washing inside if need be)—replace any burnt-out bulbs as you do this
- In areas where it needs it (often the kitchen right above where you cook), give the ceiling a little wash. In the kitchen and bathroom, steam tends to rise and stain the ceiling over time.
The Walls
If you have kids or pets, this step will take you a bit longer. Wipe down the walls. I know they don’t look dirty, but the grime has built up so slowly that you didn’t notice it. Pay special attention to hand-level near doors or arches and light switches.
The Storage Spaces That Bother You
We all have them. Cupboards that are overflowing with mismatched Tupperware, a closet in the mudroom we dread digging through—take everything out of those storage spaces, clean the space, wipe down any items that need it, and put everything back neatly. Consider cutlery drawers, the fridge, the drawer beneath your oven, the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, and beneath any sinks. Smaller storage spaces like a makeup bag, toolbox, or purse could also use some attention.
Do The Floors Last
Always when cleaning, sweep, vacuum, and mop at the end. This is because you might track dirt or dust back onto the floor as you clean, and you don’t want to have to do anything twice.Â
The above tips should help you get your home in tip-top shape. Of course, every home is different, so you might want to tweak the above list to suit your house and cleaning needs.