The sun’s out, the AC’s turned down, and we’re spending more time outdoors – spring is officially here. With the seasonal change comes the newfound energy to clean in the nitty-gritty. The annual practice of deep cleaning your home typically occurs near the end of March or the beginning of April, and a spring cleaning checklist can make this process simple.
What does spring cleaning mean?
The term “spring cleaning” can be traced back to many different origins, including spirituality, biology, and history. In North America, spring cleaning was a way to clean the winter’s mess from doors and windows, soot from fires, and dust accumulation. While we don’t have the same “winter mess” today because of modern advances, we do tend to spend more time indoors and with less daylight comes less energy to perform household tasks.
Is spring cleaning necessary?
Spring cleaning includes a thorough audit of what you own and a deep clean of all your furniture, appliances, and those tiny crevices that are easy to overlook. It’s a great way to clean and organize your home for the rest of the year. A deep clean can also reduce the chances of illness, improve air quality, help reduce stress, and increase productivity. Additionally, a positive unintended benefit is getting great exercise in the process.
How do I start spring cleaning my house?
Declutter and Organize
The best way to start spring cleaning your home is to go room-by-room and separate items to donate, sell, upcycle, or recycle. Maybe you find a forgotten baking dish or that shirt you thought you had lost? A pro tip when deciding what to keep and what to dispose of: if you forgot you had it and managed just fine without it, you probably don’t need it anymore.
Dispose
After decluttering and organizing, you can decide what you need to dispose of. Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to minimalize your house. According to Dallas City Hall, “approximately 85% of all textiles are not recycled and end up in the landfill.” Visiting your city’s website is a great resource to determine what and where to recycle. By disposing of items responsibly, you can not only declutter your home but also contribute to a cleaner environment.
Dust
Once all the rooms in your home are decluttered and organized, it’s time to dust all the debris discovered with your lost items. To effectively dust your home, it’s best to start from the top down using a microfiber cloth or duster to capture all the particles. Be sure not to forget about the hard-to-reach areas like light fixtures and baseboards. Dusting helps keep the air in your home clean and a healthy living space for you and your family.
- Furniture
- Shelves
- Light Fixtures
- Fans
- Blinds
- Baseboards
Deep Clean
This is a thorough process beyond just regular surface cleaning. Deep cleaning of each item below involves vacuuming, mopping, wiping, disinfecting, washing, and drying. Now’s the time to get into every nook and cranny, lift those sofa cushions, look behind appliances, and clean the hard-to-reach areas.
- Appliances
- Bathrooms
- Cabinets & Drawers
- Upholstery
- Carpets
- Rugs
- Windows
- Bedding
- Curtains
Disinfect
Many surfaces get overlooked in routine chores, including high-touch surfaces that collect dirt and bacteria. Disinfecting high-touch surfaces is an important step in maintaining a healthy living environment, especially after flu season. These surfaces are frequently touched by multiple people and include door handles, light switches, remotes, and more.
- Door Handles
- Furniture drawers/knobs
- Light Switches
- Electronics
- Remotes
A deep clean of your home is a great way to begin spring on a clean slate. So, crack open those windows, sift through your belongings, gather your cleaning supplies, and welcome spring with a deep clean! With this checklist, you can turn a daunting task into a doable task.
Are you spring cleaning your home as preparation to rent or sell? Spring is a great time to get a market valuation on your home or find your dream vacation property. CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company can help you with all your real estate goals, from buying, selling, renting, or investing. Our real estate professionals are experts in the industry and are here to guide you through the whole process. Contact us today to discuss how you get the most out of your spring clean.
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