A Clean Slate –The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

A CLEAN SLATE

THE ULTIMATE SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST

BY TODD NELSON

Spring means spring cleaning. There are many things you need to deep clean at least once or twice a year, both for health and safety reasons and to preserve the long-term value of your home and furnishings. So here is a checklist to tackle that deep spring clean.

BEDROOMS

– Linens: clean and stow heavy comforters and blankets; swap in spring/summer bedding. – Under/behind beds and dressers: move and vacuum/dust. – Mattresses: vacuum, flip, and rotate. – Carpets/rugs: shampoo and/or steam clean. – Wood floors: fill scratches/inspect sealant to determine if reseal ing is needed (typically once every three to five years). – Light fixtures: remove and dust lamp shades, bases, and cords; remove and clean overhead fixtures. – Closets: purge, organize, and turn over for spring/summer clothes. – Picture frames/mirrors: remove and dust, check color contrast to determine if walls need washing. – Walls: wash or spot clean fingerprints and other marks, inspect paint to decide if repainting or touchups are needed. – Vent covers: remove and wash or dust. – Ceiling: inspect to decide if repainting is needed/dust any over head beams, light fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. – Window treatments/blinds: remove and clean, including hardware.

BATHROOMS

– Medicine chest/vanity drawers/cabinets: remove all contents, discard overused and expired items (including makeup, tooth brushes, flossers, etc.); clean inside before replacing contents. – Drains: de-clog and deep clean. – Grout: inspect and decide whether to clean or re-grout. – Light fixtures/fans: remove covers and deep clean. – Walls/ceiling: inspect to decide if cleaning and/or repainting is needed. – Behind/inside toilet tank and around base/bolts: deep clean. – Bathmats, shower curtains, curtain liners, and hardware: inspect to determine if any need deep cleaning and/or replacing.

KITCHEN

– Refrigerator/freezer: deep clean as recommended, two to four times per year. – Garbage disposal/drains: de-clog and deep clean. – Cupboards: remove all items, discard expired or stale items, wash shelves and all outer surfaces. – Drawers: remove and organize contents, wash inside and outside surfaces, clean and tighten grimy/loose hardware. – Food storage: sort, match containers to lids, discard orphan items. – Small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, mixer, etc.): deep clean. – Oven/oven racks/stove/drip pans: deep clean as recommended two to four times per year.

– Light fixtures: remove, wash, and replace covers. – Behind/under refrigerator and other moveable appliances: sweep, dust, and/or vacuum. – Walls: wash or spot clean fingerprints and other marks; inspect paint to decide if repainting or touchups are needed. – Backsplashes: deep clean and degrease. – Vents/fans: deep clean and degrease.

LIVING/FAMILY ROOM

– Window treatments/blinds: remove and clean, including hardware. – Walls/woodwork: wash or spot clean fingerprints and other marks, inspect to decide if repainting or touchups are needed. – Carpets/rugs: shampoo and/or steam clean. – Wood floors: fill scratches/inspect sealant to determine if reseal ing is needed (typically once every three to five years). – Light fixtures: remove and dust lamp shades, bases, and cords; remove and clean overhead fixtures. – Ceiling fans: dust or wash blades and housing. – Furniture upholstery: remove cushions, vacuum, inspect to de cide if professional steam cleaning is needed. – Behind/underneath TVs, stereo equipment, entertainment con soles: dust, de-tangle/organize cords, disinfect remotes.

LAUNDRY

– Washer: sanitize washer drum, inspect for and clean away mold, mildew, and detergent buildup. – Dryer: deep clean tumbling drum, remove back and vacuum out all lint-clearing apparatus (as recommended at least two to four times per year).

HOME OFFICE

– Physical papers/filing cabinets: sort, declutter, shred. – Behind/under desks and other furniture: vacuum or dust. – Computers/keyboard: dust, clean screens, organize cords.

BASEMENT/GARAGE/ATTIC

– Replace HVAC filters. – Sweep/vacuum/dust, as these spaces rarely get cleaned. – Inspect/replace any filters or devices used for controlling moisture.

MISCELLANEOUS

– Fireplaces/wood/pellet stoves: have professionally cleaned. – HVAC systems/vent work: have professionally serviced. – Windows: wash inside and out, including sills, frames, and screens. – Smoke/CO detectors: check batteries and test. – Linen/other storage closets: purge, organize, and turnover for spring/summer. – Stairways: deep clean. 

Todd Nelson is the owner of MaidPro of Raleigh and Wake Forest. Visit www.maidpro.com/raleigh-north or call 919-871-9996.