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Tried & True Spring Cleaning Tips!

Even though it is only mid-February, before you know it Spring will be here. That means warmer weather (hopefully), and the sometimes-dreaded Spring cleaning. I love this time of year though, even though the word “cleaning” is involved.

It’s time to open the windows, get some fresh air circulating through the house, and de-clutter! Aside from spreadsheeting everything I possibly can, this comes in at a close second as a favorite thing to do. (Yes, I am totally type-A personality!)

Tried and True Spring Cleaning Tips

Preparations

I bring with me the following:

  • BIG GARBAGE BAG: This is for items that are old and shoddy, broken, etc. This applies mainly to the boys’ toys, etc.
  • ANOTHER BIG GARBAGE BAG: This bag is for donations. I donate all of the old toys, too-small clothing items, and books to the local charities. It’s funny how you start cleaning and place a toy in the donation bag, to have your child come in and grab it from the bag stating it is his most-treasured toy and how could I think to give it away? Um, it has been under your bed and not played with for about 6 months…this happens every time. If you have kids, you may want to do their rooms when they are NOT home.
  • PAPER TOWELS, CLEANERS AND MICROFIBER CLOTHS: Dust off all of the furniture, picture frames, window blinds, everything.
  • NOTEPAD AND PEN: Now is a good time to analyze what needs better organizing…do the Legos have a designated home? Are your scarves taking over the floor of your guest bedroom closet (that would be me)? Jot down what you think you may need to better organize your spaces.

Tackling the task

You don’t have to go crazy and get it all done in one day; instead break your cleaning up into sections or by rooms, or floors, whatever suits your dwelling best.  Sometimes I like to do all “like rooms” on the same day.  For example, day 1 would be bathrooms – get them over with!  

Bathrooms

Take everything out of the cabinets.  Check all expiration dates of medications and beauty products.  Go through your make-up and decide what you really use and what you can get rid of (like that hot pink lipstick you received in a subscription box that really wasn’t your color but you may need it one day).  You won’t. 

Clean everything from top to bottom and don’t be afraid to use bleach – just wear gloves to protect your hands.

Go through your linens and donate any towels, blankets, and/or sheets that have seen better days.  I like to donate mine to the animal shelters.

Bedrooms

This is a big undertaking, and depending on the number of bedrooms you have, you may want to break this into a few days.  I clean my Master bedroom one day and tackle the boys’ rooms the next day.

Dust like there’s no tomorrow.  Evacuate all of the dust bunnies from under the bed.  Wipe down all baseboards.  Cleaning out your closets is a HUGE task unto itself, so the best bet would be to use my handy-dandy “Should It Stay or Should It Go” infographic (and a large glass of wine).  Clean your window treatments – if they are blinds, wipe them down.  If you have curtains, send them to the dry cleaner or wash them at home if you can!

Kitchen

I leave this room mainly to my husband because he is the chef in the household.

Pantry

He takes complete control of the pantry.  We take everything out – everything.  Once the pantry is bare, we wipe the shelving down and one by one we start checking expiration dates and placing the food back in.  I use baskets to neatly organize my chips and snack foods, dog treats, and packets (seasonings, etc.).  I have a section for:

  • Rice and pasta
  • Canned goods
  • Jarred food
  • Cookies and snacks
  • Breakfast foods – I keep the dry cereal in cereal keepers to keep it fresher.
  • Large bottles of olive and vegetable oil stay on the floor, along with unopened bottles of cranberry juice, tonic water, etc.
  • Food containers line the top shelf along with a bin containing Hershey bars (that would be because my oldest son would eat them all if they were on a lower shelf.  I don’t know what we’re going to do when he gets taller…)

Looking for great organizing baskets and bins? What I usually do is take a trip to my local Container Store to see what they have to offer. I get some cool ideas from there and then head over to Target or WalMart and see if I can find a similar item for a bit less. Homegoods and Pier 1 also have some great deals on baskets, bins, etc.

Refrigerator

Take everything out of the fridge.  Wipe down all shelves, bins – everything.  Check expiration dates here as well.  One by one, place everything back inside.  Open a fresh box of baking soda to keep any future odors from taking over.

Cabinets and Drawers

We tackle the cabinets and drawers one by one as well.  We remove everything, wipe down the shelves, make sure whatever was in the cabinet is still clean, and something that we use.  The self straining pasta pot was a novel idea but it sat in our cabinet for years without coming out.  I donated it as I am sure someone else will lovingly use it.

Put like items together.  All pots and their corresponding covers should be in one cabinet.  Bowls used for preparing meals should be paired together.  Place all utensils for similar uses in the same drawer. We have one drawer for our eating utensils. one for serving utensils, wooden spoons, etc.; and one for prep utensils like peelers, and all of these other small gadgets that my husband uses.

Wipe down the exteriors of the cabinets and drawers and don’t forget to dust above the cabinets (it’s amazing and sometimes gross what can be found up there).

The rest of the kitchen

Organize under your sink – wipe down the shelves and place the cleaning solvents and sponges you have under there.  Take note of anything you’re running low on.  If you have a self-cleaning oven, there’s no time like the present to press “start” on that.  Be sure to open the windows if you can!  Run the dishwasher with nothing in it.

Living Spaces

Vacuum, dust, wipe down the baseboards, clean the window treatments, and sills if you have them. Fluff pillows, clean pillow covers if they are removable.  Take the cushions off of couches and chairs – you may be rich from all of the changes you find.  Or grossed out if you have kids…either way it is a must-do.

General

Wipe down all interior doors and handles.

Disinfect all light switches.

If you have sliding glass doors as I do, sweep out and wipe down the tracks.

Clean the windows.  EEK.  Yes, you have to do that…don’t you want the sunshine to come in and show off your gorgeously clean house?  We use this cool Windex for cleaning the outside of the windows and it works wonderfully!  It attaches to a hose and voila!

36 Comments Filed Under: Cleaning Tagged With: bathroom, beauty products, blankets, cabinets, charities, closets, container store, containers, de-clutter, dishwasher, expiration date, expiration dates, food containers, furniture, garbage, garbage bag, household, infographic, kitchen, light switch, microfiber cloth, picture frames, spring cleaning, towels, vegetable oil, window blinds, window treatments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela Tolsma says

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    Is it weird that this is a monthly thing for me? I don’t have to do all of it because I don’t let it build up (like throwing away makeup and hair products) but I like just having things spotless and “spring” clean all the time!!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      No, it’s not weird at all! Actually I am quite jealous and wish I could do this monthly! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Dominique says

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    I am bookmarking this list for sure. I have so much cleaning to do it’s not even funny. I do the normal on a daily basis, but I need to clean out cabinets all over the house!

    http://www.writingmotherfashionista.com

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Dominique, I hear you! Cabinets are my hardest task…

      Reply
  3. ashley says

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    I am so ready to do some spring cleaning and purging! I will have to refer back to your post come time for me to do it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thanks for stopping by Ashley and I hope my post and checklist help!

      Reply
  4. chloe | boxwood avenue says

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    Wow this really is an amazing list to tackle all of the spring cleaning!!! Thank you for breaking it down!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thanks Chloe!!

      Reply
  5. Shann Eva says

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    You’ve got a great checklist. My boys always come and take the toys that I’m about to donate or sell….even though they haven’t played with them in ages. Great tip about donating old sheets to an animal shelter too!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thank you Shann! I have to go through the boys toys when they are at school or playing outside…it’s useless to do it when they are home LOL! I love to donate things to the animal shelters – the boys’ school started a campaign to do so and I’ve been donating ever since 🙂

      Reply
  6. Leah says

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    These are all great tips! I hate spring cleaning, but I always feel so accomplished after!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Leah, I have to always remember how great it feels once I am done – that’s what gets me through it all!

      Reply
  7. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says

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    This is a great list for staying organized while spring cleaning! It’s time to start thinking about that, isn’t it?

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      I hate to say it, but yes 😉

      Reply
  8. Bree Hogan says

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    It will be an autumn clean for me in my part of the world! Long overdue and these are great tips to help keep the cleaning juices flowing. I always feel so much better in my space when I’ve decluttered!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Where are you located Bree? I completely agree with you – the feeling when you have decluttered is so amazing!

      Reply
  9. Marci Smith says

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    I’m definitely bookmarking this post for spring cleaning week. Great post!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thanks Marci! I hope it helps!!

      Reply
  10. Chelsea says

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    I love your tips! You inspired me to tackle cleaning my apartment today.

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Awww, thank you Chelsea and I’m glad I inspired you!!

      Reply
  11. Kaycie Vanden Top says

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    I LOVE SPRING CLEANING! okay, but for real… I started yesterday. haha. These are great tips! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      LOLOL Kaycie!!! I’m glad you liked my tips and I hope they help you 🙂

      Reply
  12. Ashley says

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    I’m looking forward to deep spring cleaning during spring break at the end of March! My walls and floors need a good cleaning!

    Reply
  13. Very Erin says

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    Great tips! I am NOT great at cleaning. I typically put it off for way too long, making it a much bigger project when I ultimately get around to it.

    Reply
  14. Cara says

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    I love the idea of going around with a pen and paper and jotting down tasks to tackle later. Sometimes it can be so overwhelming to try to tackle everything in one day (and unfeasible). Great tips!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      I am a true notepad and pen gal. It’s too overwhelming to get everything done in one day for sure! Thanks for stopping by Cara!

      Reply
  15. Mayara says

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    These are awesome tips. I am currently reading the Marie Kondo book and these tips will surely come in handy when trying to keep everything neat and organized! Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo
    May from http://www.mayliving.com

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thank you Mayara! I haven’t read her first book – I need to get it!

      Reply
  16. Lisa Sharp says

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    Great tips! It’s always nice when you’ve finished spring cleaning and have a nice fresh and clean home.

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thanks Lisa! That’s my favorite part, but it doesn’t last long with two boys and a dog LOL

      Reply
  17. dama says

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    send check list please

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Hi Dama! I’ll send it over now 🙂

      Reply
  18. Debbie Green says

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    want free spring cleaning checklist

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      I’ll send it to you right now!

      Reply
  19. sarah says

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    great tips, I needed that boost of reading your article!

    Reply
    • Dana says

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      Thank you Sarah, and good luck!

      Reply

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