Spring Cleaning Checklist: 5 Rooms in 5 days

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Ah, spring! There’s nothing better than the first day it’s warm enough to open all the windows after a long winter. It’s the perfect time to capitalize on that fresh feeling and give your whole house a much-needed spring clean. Sure, the idea sounds nice, but what are you actually supposed to clean during “spring cleaning”?

It sounds like you need a spring cleaning checklist. Well, look no further. Around here, we take a 5-rooms-in-5-days approach.

In this article, we’ll give you checklists for every room type in your house:

1) bathroom 2) kitchen 3) bedrooms 4) kid areas and 5) living spaces

Monday’s Spring Clean Checklist: clean your bathroom

Disinfect doorknobs and light switches. Tip: check the labels of sprays and wipes to make sure they’re approved disinfectants by the EPA and to understand exactly how to use them to take advantage of their disinfecting power.
Organize cabinets and drawers. Take the time to sort through all your makeup and meds and throw away anything that’s expired.
Scrub your shower, bathtub, and sink, paying close attention to any mold or mildew buildup. We recommend using Microban 24 Bathroom Cleaner because it destroys soap scum AND prevents the growth of mold and mildew for 7 days.*
Wash your shower curtain and bathmat. Make sure to read the care instructions so you don’t end up ruining them.
Give the toilet a much-needed deep clean. Don’t forget near the floor and around the hinges where dirt and grime can build up.

Tuesday’s Spring Clean Checklist: clean your kitchen

Clean the stovetop with soap and water. If it’s still worse for the wear, break out the trusty Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get rid of caked-on-food bits fast.
Clean your oven. Most ovens have a cleaning cycle, so this step is mostly hands-off.
Clean your microwave. If it’s not feeling clean after a quick soapy-water wipedown, check out these 11 ways to clean your microwave.
Clean and descale your coffee maker. Your taste buds will appreciate the extra effort.
Clean out your fridge and freezer. Now’s the time to throw away the freezer-burned frozen fruit you bought a year ago when you decided to be healthy, but never used. Once you’ve gotten rid of all expired food, make sure to wipe down all the shelves with soapy water.
Degrease cabinets and walls. If you cook with oil, chances are, you’ve got little grease spatters everywhere. Dawn, an amazing grease-fighting soap. Get a cloth wet with soap water and scrub away.
Move your stove and fridge away from the wall and sweep and mop behind them. Try not to be too horrified by what you find.
Empty out and organize your pantry. Throw away expired items and put everything else back neatly where you can see it.
Empty the toast tray in your toaster.
Disinfect cabinet handles, light switches, sinks, and countertops.
Sanitize your sink. The sink can harbor all sorts of bacteria, so it’s important not to skip this step.

Wednesday’s Spring Clean Checklist: clean your bedrooms

Sort, launder and organize your clothes. This is the perfect time to get rid of clothes that don’t fit anymore or items that you just don’t like. Are you feeling lighter already? Wash your bedding and pillows. Yes, you can wash your pillows. Just make sure to read the care and cleaning directions. Rotate your mattress. It’ll extend the life of your mattress and help out your back. Shampoo any rugs or carpets. A big undertaking, but well worth it.

Thursday’s Spring Clean Checklist: clean your living spaces

Move furniture to vacuum and mop underneath. Pro tip: bribe a housemate to help you so your back isn’t sore the next morning.
Vacuum couches, chairs, and curtains. This one’s especially for all you pet owners. If there’s still fur everywhere even after vacuuming, check out these tips for removing dog hair and tried and true ways of banishing cat hair.
Dust in all the places you normally overlook like shelves, the ceiling fan, lampshades, etc. A Swiffer duster makes this easier because it traps and locks dust rather than spreading it around the room.
Wash cushion and throw pillow covers, just be sure to read the care instructions first. If you can’t wash them use a product like Febreze Fabric to clean away odors and leave a fresh scent.
Disinfect remotes and other high-touch items and areas like doorknobs, and light switches.
Shampoo rugs or carpets.

Friday’s Spring Clean Checklist: clean the kid areas

Bonus: if you’re living a kid-free life, celebrate because you’re done a day early.

Move furniture and vacuum underneath it. You know the drill. Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get rid of those crayon marks that have accumulated over the last year Sanitize plastic toys. Truth be told, this should probably be done more than once a year. Wash soft toys that can’t be sprayed down. Donate the toys your kids have outgrown. Less clutter for you and another kid gets to enjoy a new-to-them toy. Organize toys and play areas and enjoy the brief moments of calm and order before your kids mess everything up again come back to play.

Click here to download your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Source: Home Made Simple.