Spring is just around the corner (we hope), and for many, that means spring cleaning and getting your home ready for the warm weather. But what exactly should you be spring cleaning? Following is a checklist of spring cleaning and maintenance tips for a tidier, well-maintained home.

Every Room

  • Windows: Wash your windows inside and out. For the best results, use a microfiber cloth and wash them on a cloudy day to avoid streaking. Also, clean your windowsills and the tracks on all windows (pay special attention to weep holes and make sure they are unblocked). This would also be a great time to inspect for softness or rotting on your windowsills, hardware that is out of line, paint damage, and missing caulking. If these items are left unchecked, it could result in water damage.
  • Window Treatments: Dust blinds and wash any drapes and other window treatments you may have.
  • Sliding Doors: In addition to windows, you’ll want to wash any sliding glass doors. Also, clean the tracks. To clean the tracks, experts suggest using and old toothbrush to scrub and loosen debris, then vacuuming that debris up. Finish cleaning by wiping the track down with a wet sponge.
  • HVAC Vents and Returns: Vacuum and wipe down the vents and returns in every room. Keeping vents and returns clean helps your HVAC system operate more efficiently. It also reduces allergens in your home and can help keep your filter cleaner longer.
  • Walls, Baseboards, Doors, and Door Frames: Give your walls, baseboards, doors, and door frames a good cleaning using a sponge and warm, soapy water.
  • Carpet: Deep clean carpets.
  • Lights: Dust and clean overhead light fixtures and dust and/or vacuum lamps and other similar light fixtures and lamp shades. Now is also a good time to replace any burnt-out bulbs. Wipe down and sanitize light switches
  • Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace if needed. If you have a fire extinguisher, check the expiration date.

Kitchen

  • Pantry: Declutter and throw out any old and expired foods.
  • Cabinets and Drawers: Remove items from inside cabinets and drawers and wipe down the insides. Also wipe down the outside of the cabinets and drawers. For cabinets and drawers near your stove, you may need to use a degreaser to remove grease that has built up.
  • Refrigerator and Freezer: Pull items out and wipe down the inside of your fridge and defrost the freezer. Throw out any old and expired foods. Pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum and mop where the fridge normally sits. While it is pulled out, vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge. Finally, wipe down the outside, including the top.
  • Stove/Oven: Deep clean your stove and oven.
  • Range Hood: Remove the filter and clean it: Fill your sink with hot water (the hotter, the better but don’t burn yourself), then add about a teaspoon of anti-grease dish soap and about 1/4 cup of baking soda to the water. Fully submerge the filter and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes, then scrub the filter (be careful to not use too much pressure or you could damage it). Rinse it off and dry thoroughly before reinstalling it. While the filter is initially soaking, wipe down the rest of the range hood. If it has been a while since you cleaned the hood and filter and it has grease build-up, you may need to use a degreaser.
  • Dishwasher: Clean your dishwasher. You can buy a dishwasher cleaning product at your local home improvement store or check your owner’s manual for other cleaning tips.
  • Sink and Disposal: Clean and deodorize your sink and disposal. One great way to deodorize and sharpen the blades on your disposal at the same time is to freeze vinegar in ice cube trays them run the cubes through the disposal.
  • Caulking: Check caulking around sink and along the wall edges of countertops and re-caulk anywhere that has missing or cracked caulk.

Living Room

  • Furniture: Dust and polish furniture. Vacuum upholstery, and if your furniture has slipcovers, remove and wash them. Wash all throw pillows and blankets.
  • Remote controls: Sanitize remotes and any other similar, often-used items.

Bedroom

  • Bedding: Remove and wash all bedding, including comforters, pillows, throw blankets, etc.
  • Mattress: If you have a non-pillow-top mattress, flip it. If you have a pillow-top mattress, rotate it.
  • Furniture: Dust and polish furniture. If you have chairs or other upholstered furniture, vacuum those items.
  • Closets: Take inventory of your clothing and get rid of/donate any you may no longer need or want. If you only keep seasonal clothing in your closets, change out winter clothing for spring/summer clothing.

Bathroom

  • Tub and Shower: Clean and disinfect. Check caulking and re-caulk any that is missing or cracked (this would also be a good time to check caulking around sinks and the wall edges of countertops).
  • Shower Curtain and Liner: Wash and/or replace shower curtains and liners.
  • Rugs/Bathmats: Wash your rugs and bathmats.
  • Cabinets and Drawers: Remove items and wipe out the insides. Throw out any old and expired makeup, medicines, etc.
  • Decorative Items: Dust any decorative items.

Laundry Room

  • Washing Machine: Clean your washing machine.
  • Dryer: Clean lint out of the dryer vent and the lint trap.

Office

  • Paperwork: Declutter file cabinets and shred or recycle any unneeded paperwork.
  • Furniture: Dust and polish desk, bookcases, and any other furniture.
  • Electronics: Dust electronics off. Check cords to make sure they are in good shape, plugged into a surge protector, and untangled. Sanitized oft-used items like keyboard and mouse.

Garage

  • Tools, Sporting Equipment, and Toys: Declutter your tools, sporting equipment, and toys, and donate/get rid of any you no longer need.
  • Garage Door: Clean the garage door and inspect it for an damage or alignment issues. Check that the floor guide is not out of line. Oil the moving parts. Replace batteries in your garage door openers.
  • Floors: Sweep floors.

Exterior/Yard

  • Paint: Check exterior paint for peeling, blistering, and fading, and touch-up any small areas of damage or fading. If there is a lot of damage or fading, you may need to do a complete repaint.
  • Gutters: Clean any debris out of your gutters that could potentially cause clogging and lead to more damage. Check for any rust, holes, or leaks and fix any found.
  • Yard: Click here for tips on getting your yard and garden ready for spring and summer.
  • Outdoor Furniture: Wash outdoor furniture.

To help with your spring cleaning, we’ve created a handy, printable Spring Cleaning Checklist. Click here to download and print it.

 

Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for more than 25 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have new single-family homes available in Bluffdale and West Valley and townhomes available in Salt Lake City. Contact us today to get started building your new home.


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