When the snow starts to melt and that first warm day brings Evanstonians out and about, it can only mean that spring is around the corner. And just as it’s instinctive for us Midwesterners to shed our winter layers, spring makes us want to dust off the cobwebs and welcome in the new season.
Spring cleaning may not be everyone’s favorite task, and it can appear daunting when you own a home. But when tackled in a structured and organized way, it instantly refreshes how you and your home feels.
And it’s not as hard as it may look. The following spring-cleaning guide below lists the products you need; tips on how to approach a deep clean; checklists for each room; and hacks to keep your home clean beyond the season.
Stock up on cleaning essentials: The first thing you should do is make sure you’re stocked up on all your favorite the cleaning supplies. This includes all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant wipes, trash bags, dish soap, microfiber cloths, paper towels, glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, wood polish, carpet cleaner, and stainless-steel cleaner. And remember, household standards such as baking soda and white vinegar also work well as eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
Create a spring-cleaning schedule: Breaking down the tasks is the most manageable way to avoid feeling overwhelmed with the chore of spring cleaning. Break your home down by rooms and start with organizing and cleaning one room a week. It’s helpful to start with the room that needs the most attention. That way, you’ll feel like you’ve made great progress, motivating you to continue.
Develop a checklist of core tasks: Each room will have its own unique cleaning requirements, but the following is a general checklist that’s applicable to every room. Using it will help you stay organized as you clean each space, ensuring consistency:
- Dust light fixtures, ceiling fans, and other surfaces
- Wipe down doors and door handles
- Clean glass surfaces and mirrors
- Wash curtains or dust window shutters
- Wipe down baseboards
- Vacuum and/or sweep and mop the floors
Start each room by decluttering it: Now is a good time to donate or tossing items you won’t need again. Ask yourself: What can you throw away? What can you store for next fall or winter? And what could find a better place than where it currently rests? A good rule of thumb is to get rid of anything that hasn’t been used in the last six months. Need a more detailed decluttering approach? Just download our ever-popular Jackie Mack & More Guide to Downsizing.
Look for the often-overlooked spots: When you tackle each room, make sure you clean the areas that are usually missed during your routine cleanings. Here for each room, are some areas that are typically overlooked:
Kitchen: Clean out the fridge, pantry, and freezer. Toss old spices – ground spices and cooking oils. Polish and clean appliance exteriors. Clean the microwave, oven, and stovetop. Clean the crumbs out of drawers and add fresh drawer liners. Deep clean the sink and faucet. Wipe down cabinets. And, of course, clean the garbage can and recycling bin.
Bathroom: Scrub down the bathtub, shower, showerhead, and tile grout. Replace the shower curtain liner and loofahs if needed. Clean the toilet as well as behind them and the trash cans. Declutter under-the sink storage and the medicine cabinet.
Bedroom: Start by storing your out-of-season clothing and donate unworn items. Then, dust and clean the headboard, framed artwork and pictures. And wash the bedding, linens, pillow covers, and pillows. Be sure to polish any wood furniture. Finally, vacuum or sweep and mop the closet floor. Of course, be sure to vacuum under the bed and the mattress. You might even want to flip the mattress to extend its life.
Dining Room: Dust and polish the dining room table. Wipe off and spot clean the dining room chairs. Organize any tableware and set the table. And, if you have any silver items on display, you might want to polish them.
Living Areas: Wash and rotate sofa cushions if applicable. Wash any blankets and store extras. Clean the TV screen and dust electronics. Clean the carpets and vacuum upholstery. Polish any wood or leather furniture. Finally, vacuum or sweep and mop the floor.
Outdoor Areas: Clean walkways and pressure wash the driveway and sidings. Shake out and wash your doormats or replace if needed. Scrub the deck or patio. Clean the window exteriors. Spot clean or wash outdoor upholstery and clean any outdoor furniture or bring them out from storage if you stowed them away for the winter.
Create a maintenance schedule: To ensure that your home stays clean long after spring, create achievable routines that allow for light cleaning throughout the year. This includes:
- Daily tidying
- Weekly cleaning (such as vacuuming, dusting, bathroom maintenance)
- Monthly deep cleaning (such as clean under furniture, declutter storage spaces)
There’s nothing better than that clean-house feeling. We hope this guide inspires you to look after your home and keep it clean year-round. My team and I at Jackie Mack & More put the same care into helping you buy or sell your home. We’re here to help, no matter how big the task.
We’re also here to help you get the most out of your home.
For any of your real estate needs, to just find a trusted supplier, or to get more out of Evanston, feel free to contact us at Jackie@jackiemack.com or 847-274-6676.
