The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is in the air, and it’s time to open the windows, beat the rugs and get your house clean from top to bottom. So get ready by creating an uptempo playlist on your iPod, stock your refrigerator with your favorite beverages to cool your thirst, and set aside a day or two to really get down and dirty.

Get Ready

Before you start cleaning, walk through your house with an eye for what you can part with. Spring is the perfect time to rid yourself of clutter that has been accumulating in closets, drawers and on top of tables.

Gather up items you’ve been meaning to donate to the Goodwill. Clothes that haven’t been worn in a year, books you have read and appliances that have been replaced or sit unused can all benefit a charity and leave you with more space in your home.

Whole House

Cleaning will be easier if you have all your supplies ready. You will need:

• Vacuum
• Mop
• Paper towels or cleaning cloths
• Sponges or Magic Eraser
• Wood polish
• Glass cleaner
• Disinfectant
• (For more information on natural cleaning supplies, see The Best Green Cleaning Products For Your Home .)

To start cleaning major items and areas in your whole home, run through the following list:

• Curtains that are machine washable should go in the wash, if not, send them to the dry cleaner.
• Gather up area rugs, and take them outside. Shake them thoroughly, then beat with a bat or stick to loosen up dust and dirt. Leave them outside to air out while you continue cleaning inside.
• Use disinfectant to wipe all doorknobs and light switches.
• Empty all wastebaskets.
• Take houseplants outside, and wash them with a hose set on a gentle flow. Bring back inside when they are dry.
• (For more information on whole house cleaning, see Monthly Cleaning Checklist For The Whole House.)

Bedrooms

A clean and neat bedroom provides a feeling of tranquility, leading to a better night’s sleep.

• Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures, using a long-poled duster if necessary.
• Strip all linens, including bedskirts, shams and mattress covers, from the beds and put in the wash.
• Have an assistant help you flip over the mattress, rotating head to foot.
• Toss old magazines, put misplaced items where they belong, and hang up clothes.
• Wash walls from top to bottom with a mild soapy cleaner, or just use a Magic Eraser to remove any spots and smudges. Don’t forget the baseboards.
• Clean windows and wipe down the windowsills.
• Wipe all wood furniture with polish to remove dust and fingerprints.
• Dust knickknacks, artwork, lampshades and light bulbs.
• Organize any collectibles to make an attractive display.
• Vacuum or mop floors. Replace any area rugs, and vacuum those too.
• Replace bedding.

Kitchen

A clean, bright kitchen is a much more pleasant space to prepare your meals. Get yours shining and looking fresh.

• Clean the light fixture.
• Empty the fridge, tossing any old leftovers or expired foods.
• Clean refrigerator shelves, drawers and doors, replace food.
• Clean out cupboards, throwing away anything past its expiration date.
• Wipe down cupboard shelves with a mild detergent, dry with towels. Replace food, return dishes and cookware to their proper spots.
• Clean the cupboard fronts, and wash the kitchen walls. Pay special attention to the backsplash above the stove. Don’t forget to clean baseboards.
• Shine any windows and clean windowsill.
• Clean the stovetop, oven door and inside the oven.
• Wipe the microwave inside and out, and clean the dishwasher door.
• Change or clean the filter in your range hood.
• Wipe down all counters, paying attention to corners, edges and behind appliances.
• Sponge off any appliances kept out on the counter.
• Wipe down the trashcans.
• If possible, pull the refrigerator forward and vacuum and mop behind it.
• Mop the rest of the kitchen floor.
• (For more information on cleaning the refrigerator and freezer, see How To Clean & Maintain Your Refrigerator & Freeze.)

Bathroom

Your bathroom should be a pleasant place to start your day. If your towels are old and worn, now is a good time to replace them with new, fluffy towels.

• Toss shower curtain, bathmats and towels into the washing machine.
• Clean the light fixture.
• Look under the sink, in the drawers and in the medicine chest. Dispose of any old, unused products, expired medicines, or other clutter.
• Wipe down the interior of the medicine chest.
• Clean the shower and tub. Wash down enclosure walls, shine glass doors, and scrub out the door tracks.
• Wash the walls, paying attention to the baseboards.
• Clean the window and windowsill.
• Clean the toilet.
• Scrub the sink and the counters.
• Polish the mirrors.
• Mop the floors.

Living Room

You and your family probably spend most of your waking hours in the living room. Get it ready with a thorough cleaning.

• Dispose of any old magazines. Put away toys and other clutter.
• Use a long-poled duster to clean off ceiling fans and light fixtures.
• Wash walls, or just get spots with a Magic Eraser. Clean baseboards.
• Clean windows, and wipe windowsills.
• Dust all knickknacks, lamps and light bulbs, and artwork on walls.
• Polish all wood furniture.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture, lifting cushions and vacuuming the back and top. Plump pillows.
• Vacuum the floors, moving furniture to reach underneath.
• Bring any area rugs in from outside, set in place and vacuum.

Laundry Area

Your laundry area should be clean and neat.

• Sort through cleaning supplies, dispose of anything not needed or used.
• Wipe down cabinet shelves.
• Clean cabinet fronts.
• Wipe walls and baseboards.
• Clean light fixture.
• Wipe down the washer and dryer.
• Remove lint from the dryer.
• If possible, pull washer and dryer forward to vacuum and mop behind them.
• Mop entire floor thoroughly.

Once your spring cleaning is done, reward yourself with a bouquet of flowers in a pretty vase, and sit down with a cool beverage to enjoy your clean home and a job well done.