cleaning supplies in purple bucket isolated
Here's our simple plan for one-day spring cleaning.
• Be sure to stock up on cleaning supplies ahead of time.
• This is a good time to replace rags, sponges, and worn-out cleaning tools as well. Also be sure to invest in a Swiffer or dustmop with an extension arm for those hard-to-reach places.
Ready? Here’s how to break a task most people dread down into something the whole family can tackle in a day one step at a time:
1. Purge everything you no longer need. Starting in the bedrooms, remove all clothes, toys, and décor items that you no longer need nor want. If you are unsure about some items, put them in a box in the garage and store them for a couple of weeks.
Move through the house, one room at a time, until you have skimmed all the extraneous stuff from each family member’s space, as well as all shared spaces. Load giveaways straight into the car and plan to deliver them to charity organizations on your next trip out. Swing by St. Matthew’s House (2001 Airport Pulling Road South, Naples, 239- 774-0500) with food and toiletries you don’t intend to use.
2. Open up to possibilities. In the process of reviewing your possessions, you may notice some items in your home need replacing. Are carpets worn? Has furniture become rickety? Is anything damaged beyond repair? Sometimes it helps to go ahead and get rid of the things you no longer want even before you purchase something to replace them.
3. Gather up all linens. If it’s not nailed down, gather it up to be shaken outside, washed, or sent to the cleaners. Be sure not to overlook throw rugs, pet bed covers, tablecloths, bath and kitchen towels, bed linens, pillow cases, and wash cloths.
4. Vacuum and roll up carpets. If you have any loose, heavy carpets, give these a deeper-than-usual vacuum, then roll them up, and get them out of the way for the day.
5. Let there be light. Take down all of your light fixtures at once and clean them in the kitchen sink, with soap and water.
6. Take down all curtains. Curtains get dirtier than you may think, especially when you have pets. So down they must come each year, either to be shaken out and rehung, or to be sent to the cleaners or laundered at home.
7. Dust your way down. Start your cleaning process above your head and then work your way down. Spray your long-arm duster with a light coating of dusting spray and beginning in the highest room in the house. Dust all of the areas where the walls meet the ceiling. Pay special attention to molding, trim, and hard-to-reach spots. Don’t forget the ceiling fans and chandeliers.
8. Let the sunshine in. While your curtains are down, dust around and inside each window. Open windows and reach between panes with your duster. Then get a bucket of warm, soapy water and wipe down pane dividers and window ledges. Spray the entire glass on one side with cleaner; then wipe it down.
9. Once more from the top. Take your long-arm duster and start back in the highest room. This time dust all the baseboard and chair rails.
10. Deep clean the bathrooms. Dust the room first, then move through each bathroom wall-by-wall from top to bottom. Wipe down everything with a germ-neutralizing cleanser. When you are done, spray down and wipe the mirrors and cabinetry.
11. Dust everything in the entire house. Arm your team with dust rags and Swiffers lightly sprayed with dusting spray. Use a stepladder to reach high surfaces and dust everything from top to bottom, wall by wall, from walls to center of the room.
12. Vacuum the upholstery. Take cushions outside and beat them with a tennis or badminton racquet.
13. Sweep, dustmop, and vacuum. Get under all movable furniture. Leave no corner unswept, including under the beds.
14. Go on a smudge hunt. Room by room, armed with a damp cloth and cleaner, check around doorknobs and light switches to wipe away fingerprints and smudges. Spray and clean any mirrors that may have been overlooked.
15. A thorough mopping. Fill a mop bucket with hot water and cleaner and refresh your bucket frequently. After mopping each room, wipe edges of the floor with clean, wet rags, and toss used rags in the washer.
16. Clean all the doors to the house on both sides. Use a strong cleanser. Include storm or screen doors.
17. Room spray reward. After the floors dry, go back into each room, unroll the carpets, and spray a generous amount of room freshener.
Safety & Maintenance Awareness
Spring-cleaning time is the perfect opportunity to check your smoke detectors. It’s is also a good time to make sure any tall and heavy furniture is secured to the wall. Do you need to baby-proof? Do it now. Did you notice any water damage, peeling paint, or rodent issues? Go ahead and add estimates on repairs or hiring services to your to-do list. You’ll be happier next year, if you jump on any problems at the first indicators of trouble.
Christina Katz was once employed as a mother’s helper for a single working mom and her four sons. It was during those summers she learned what a good housecleaner she actually was. Her latest book is Permission Granted, 45 Reasons To Micro-publish.