Spring is here, and that means it’s time for some deep cleaning. As I gear up to scrub every inch of my home, I wanted to share my tips for tackling spring cleaning from top to bottom.
Develop a Game Plan
Before I start cleaning, I make a list of all the areas and tasks I want to complete. This helps me stay organized and not miss any spots. Here’s what my spring cleaning list includes:
High Cleaning
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, tops of shelves/cabinets
- Wash walls, ceilings, window treatments, windows
- Clean out gutters
- Scrub inside of microwave and stove hood
- Organize cabinets and closets
Low Cleaning
- Vacuum/sweep floors, carpets, furniture
- Mop floors
- Clean baseboards
- Dust all furniture, decor items
- Wash inside of refrigerator and oven
- Scrub sinks, countertops, backsplashes
Whole House
- Launder bedding, curtains, throw pillows
- Declutter each room and donate unused items
- Deep clean bathrooms – scrub tile, fixtures, mirrors
- Dust blinds, wash windows
- Move furniture and clean underneath
Gather Supplies
I make sure I have all the cleaning tools and products I’ll need before getting started. Here are some must-have supplies:
- Vacuum
- Mop and bucket
- Cleaning rags
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Disinfecting wipes/spray
- Rubber gloves
- Dusting wand
- Step stool or ladder
Having everything ready to go makes the cleaning process smooth and efficient.
Start From the Top Down
When tackling spring cleaning, I work from top to bottom. This stops dust and debris from the upper areas of the room from falling onto already cleaned lower surfaces.
Here’s my process:
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Clean ceiling areas first – Use a ladder or step stool to reach ceilings, fans, lights, and tops of cabinets.
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Work down walls and window treatments – Wash walls, then clean blinds, curtains and windows.
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Dust furniture and decor – Use a microfiber cloth to dust all furnishings in the room before vacuuming.
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Vacuum floors and spot clean carpets – Get dirt up from floors before mopping them. Spot clean carpets as needed.
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Mop hard floors – I fill a bucket with hot water and cleaning solution and mop floors last.
Starting at the top maximizes efficiency and ensures everything gets cleaned thoroughly.
Be Methodical Room by Room
I don’t try to clean my entire home in one day. That leads to feeling overwhelmed. Instead, I focus on one room at a time.
For each room, I:
- Remove clutter and tidy up
- Thoroughly clean from top to bottom
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Dust all furniture, decor and surfaces
- Wipe down baseboards
- Clean windows, mirrors and glass
- Disinfect doorknobs and light switches
- Make bed with fresh linens (for bedrooms)
This room-by-room approach keeps me focused. I can also see the satisfying results in each finished space.
Enlist Help from the Family
Cleaning the whole house myself is tiring. I often ask my family members to pitch in. Giving each person designated tasks makes spring cleaning a team effort.
Here’s how I delegate:
- Spouse/Partner: Cleans outdoor areas like windows, gutters, patio furniture
- Kids: Wipe down baseboards, clean their rooms, dust, organize closets
- Teens: Scrub bathrooms, vacuum, sweep, mop floors
- Myself: Detail cleaning like appliances, walls, window treatments
Many hands make light work. Working together gets the job done faster.
Finish Strong with Extra Touches
After the major cleaning tasks are complete, I add some finishing touches:
- Place cleaned throw pillows and blankets on sofas
- Fill vases with fresh flowers
- Open windows and turn on fans for fresh airflow
- Vacuum carpets again to get any last bits of dirt
- Set out seasonal decor items like spring wreaths
- Light candles or essential oils for a clean scent
These final flourishes make my home feel revived for the new season.
After a day or two of hard work, my home is sparkling clean for spring. Using these tips has helped me develop an efficient system for deep cleaning. The sense of accomplishment makes all the effort worthwhile.
