Spring Cleaning Checklist
March 24, 2018
Around this time of year, many of us start to get anxious about the state of our homes. Don’t let it stress you out! This spring cleaning checklist will help you prioritize your to-do list so you get the most out of your precious time. Speaking of time, we also provide general estimates for how long it should take you to complete each task. Some items only require a few minutes. Others may require more. The key thing to remember is that spring cleaning doesn’t need to happen all at once. Based on the amount of time in your busy schedule, you can use our time estimates to choose which tasks are realistic and which are better left to another day.
Ready to get started? Follow our handy, dandy spring cleaning checklist to clear out the clutter and clean up the grime.
Living Room
Dust ceiling fans and surfaces: During the year, your ceiling fans collect lots of dust. After a while, this dust starts to circulate throughout your home, accumulating on tables, chairs, and pretty much everywhere. Cleaning your fan blades regularly will slow down dust build up and may actually improve the quality of the air you breath.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes per fan.
Wipe your windows: Clean off those fingerprints, smudges, and splatters that make your windows look sloppy. When you’re done, you might be surprised at how much more natural light comes into your home, which could boost your vitamin D levels and improve your mood. For streak-free windows, invest in an inexpensive squeegee and wipe off the cleaning solution in one continuous motion from top to bottom.
Time Estimate: 1-3 minutes per window.
Deep-clean the carpet: Regular vacuuming is great, but every once in a while, you need to bring out the big guns. Your local hardware store should be able to rent you a heavy-duty steam cleaner that you can use to get out those stubborn stains. This is more affordable than hiring professional carpet cleaners.
Time Estimate: 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your living room.
Don’t forget to allow time for drying. Trash old newspapers and mags: Do you really need last summer’s issue of Taxidermy Digest or the local newspaper from six months ago? Of course not. Gather up those out of date periodicals and put them in your recycling bin.
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
Bedrooms
Donate old clothes: We all have clothing we don’t wear. Whether it doesn’t fit or it’s simply not your style, these garments are taking up valuable closet space that you could probably put to much better use. Go through your closet and pull out anything you haven’t worn in the last year. Now, take this stuff to your local donation center and help those in need.
Time Estimate: 15-30 minutes.
Launder sheets, blankets, and pillow cases: Regularly washing your bedroom linens isn’t just good for hygiene, it can also be good for your allergies. Sheets and pillows collect allergens and can irritate your sinuses.
Time Estimate: 60-90 minutes depending on your washer/dryer.
Declutter your dresser: Here’s an easy one. Go through the items on your dresser and determine what needs stay and what needs to go. Old receipts, ticket stubs, loose change… Letting clutter overwhelm your bedroom can increase your anxiety and reduce the quality of your sleep.
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes tops.
Sweep or vacuum under the bed: If your bed sits up off the floor, get under there and sweep out the dust and debris. If you don’t have enough room for your vacuum, tip the mattress and box springs on their side so you have more space to work.
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
Kitchen
Scrub floors and counters: Your kitchen is where you prepare your meals, so it’s important to keep all surfaces clean and sanitary. That caked-on pasta sauce? It has to go. Since some of this crud can be difficult to remove once it hardens, give your cleaning solution time to set after you spray it on.
Time Estimate: 30-45 minutes.
Clear out your fridge: If you have any scary science experiments lurking in the recesses of your refrigerator, now is a great time to dispose of them. It’s also a good time to check your expiration labels and get rid of anything past its prime. Be brave!
Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.
Organize cupboards and cabinets: Overflowing pots and pans, mis-matched Tupperware and lids, seldom-used kitchen gadgets… if finding the cookware you need is frustrating or downright impossible, it’s time for an intervention! And, we promise it will be well worth your time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this. Focus on one cabinet at a time, and spread this task out over several days.
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes per cupboard.
Restore your oven and microwave: We’re all guilty of exploding something in the microwave, boiling over a pot of pasta, or dripping melted cheese onto the oven floor. Now is the time to make up for those mistakes! To loosen up that hardened crud in your microwave, try zapping a bowl of water first. The steam should make clean-up easier. And, when wiping your stove top, be very careful not to spray your burners with cleaning solution.
Time Estimate: 30 minutes.
Garage
Tidy up your tools: Wipe down tools with a damp rag to get rid of any grease, dirt, or debris. Check out your garden tools too, like rakes and shovels. Clean any mud and grime off them and make sure they’re completely dry before you put them back in their rightful places in the garage.
Time Estimate: 30-40 minutes.Sweep out the floor: Get into all those nooks and crannies to evacuate any dust bunnies living in the corners. While you’ve got the broom out, knock down cobwebs, too.
Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.Check garage door for gaps: Gaps in the garage door mean not only is your garage not as insulated as it should be, but critters and debris can easily get in. Evaluate the state of the door in general – is it time to consider replacing it?
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
Hang bikes to save space: There are many different bike storage solutions to consider for your garage, especially when you’re starting to run out of room to park the cars. Bike racks can be installed on the wall or from the ceiling to free up some of that precious space.
Time Estimate: 30-60 minutes depending on the type of solution you choose.
Bathrooms
Scour the tub and shower: Make your tub and/or shower shine by mixing one teaspoon of liquid dish soap with a few drops or an antibacterial essential oil (tea tree or eucalyptus work great) to one cup of baking soda. Form paste with a little water, and then go to town with your scrub brush.
Time Estimate: 30 minutes.
Sanitize your sink and toilet: Wipe out the sink with a mixture of dishwashing soap on a damp cloth, then rinse and repeat until it’s good as new. For the toilet, it might sound weird, but pour 20 oz of cola down it and let that sit for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub with a scrub brush to remove obvious stains.
Time Estimate: 30-60 minutes.
Give floors and counters a bath: Make sure counters are clear of dust and debris, and then vacuum or sweep the floors. Then, mop everything up with a mix of one half cup baking soda a warm water. Add a little fresh lemon juice for a clean scent!
Time Estimate: 30 minutes.
Polish fixtures and faucets: Place paper towels soaked in vinegar on your plumbing fixtures and faucets for 30 minutes to get rid of lime buildup. Simply wipe away those softened deposits for a sparkling result.
Time Estimate: 30 minutes.
Basement
Clean out dryer vents: Periodically cleaning out your dryer vents is a great idea for a couple of reasons. First, it can actually help improve the performance of your dryer which cuts down on your energy bill. Second, dryer vents that are clogged with lint and other debris pose a fire hazard.
Time Estimate: 60 minutes.
Replace old lightbulbs: Most people don’t think about their basement lightbulbs until they’re fumbling around down there in the dark. Now is a good time to check all of your old bulbs and replace them with long-lasting, energy-saving LED bulbs. Not only will these last a long time, they’ll also save you money in the long run.
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
Stack boxes neatly: Many people use their basements as storage space for seasonal items or things they no longer use. Take a look around and identify anything you no longer want or need. Sell, donate, or dispose of these items to free up additional storage space. With more room, you’ll have an easier time arranging your boxes and other storage containers.
Time Estimate: 30-60 minutes.
Test sump-pump: If you have a sump-pump in your basement, go ahead and test it now. Grab a bucket, fill it with water, and pour it slowly into the well. You should hear it kick on and the water level should go down. If not, it could be time for a replacement. Better to find out now then the next time it rains!
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Running Out of Room for Your Stuff?
As you make your way through the spring cleaning checklist, you will probably find many items you no long want or need. This is a great time to set these things aside and get rid of them – either by selling them at a garage sale, donating them to charity, or giving them away to family and friends.
But, what about those seldom-used items you still want? Holiday decorations, extra furniture, seasonal toys for your kids? There’s no reason these things need to occupy valuable space in your garage, closets, or basement. Instead, find an affordable self-storage near you and use it to store anything you don’t need right now.
At I-45 Self Storage, we make self-storage easy with clean, well-lit storage units in a wide variety of sizes. We offer climate-controlled storage for your delicate, temperature-sensitive belongings. Learn more about our solutions at www.i45SelfStorage today!