Spring Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Home

Blog-Spring Cleaning Tips

March 2021

Ah, home sweet home.  Nothing is quite a satisfying as a clean, clutter free home.  In addition to the daily or weekly tidying up, it’s a good idea to do a deep clean once or twice per year.  Alas, that brings us to our topic:  Spring Cleaning Tips.   But wait!  Before you close this tab, take heart.  We’ve tackled some of the dirty work for you to help you get started.  Whether it’s fifteen minutes here and there or an entire weekend refresh, consider this your official spring cleaning checklist for making your home sparkle inside and out.  Let’s get to it! 

Spring Cleaning Tips & Checklist

• Restock Supplies:  You’ll be surprised to know that less is more here.  For most cleaning projects, you’ll need an all-purpose cleaner like Castille soap, a mild abrasive (try Baking Soda or Barkeepers Friend Cleanser), Dishwashing liquid (we like Meyer’s Lemon Verbena), a glass cleaner (try Method’s Mint Glass Gleaner), gloves, a few microfiber cloths, a microfiber mop (Bona makes a versatile multi-surface mop), and a toilet brush.  
• Wipe Out:  Now’s the time to break out those microfiber cloths.  Gently wipe down walls with a DRY microfiber cloth to get rid of dust and grime.
• Crystal Clear:  Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside of your windows.  Outside, you can use a Windex hose attachment to spray down your windows from top to bottom for a crystal-clear finish.   
• Wash. Rinse. Repeat: Time to shampoo the rugs and carpets. Try using Miracle Method’s cleaner with a steamer or alone.  

• Suck it Up: Use the fabric attachment on your vacuum for your upholstered furniture and drapes.  The crevice tool will get deep into the cushions and folds.  From dust to pet hair to crumbs, you can suck it all up.  Another option for drapes?  Take ’em down and throw them in the dryer on the air only or fluff cycle for 15 minutes.  Rehang.  
• Zap the Crap:  Tomato stains? Greasy Gunk? Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with a cup of water, a slice of lemon or lime, a tablespoon of vinegar and, for your fancy folks, a drop of your favorite essential oil.   Zap the mix for a few minutes until boiling.  Remove the bowl and wipe the interior clean with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge.
• Oven Lovin’:  Thankfully, most ovens nowadays have a self-clean option.   Let your oven do the dirty work this time.  Done.
• Big Chill:  Dab a squeeze of dish soap on a wet sponge or microfiber cloth and wipe down the inside of your fridge.  Be sure to include shelves, bins, and doors. 
• Gleaming Cabinets:  We like Parker and Bailey’s Cabinet Cream to clean and condition cabinets.  Wipe cabinets with a damp microfiber cloth and a dab of cream.  Buff dry with a clean, dry, microfiber cloth.
• Junk, Jive n’ Wail:  The dreaded junk drawer.  Everybody has one.  Try using an old silverware tray to organize things like paperclips, keys, rubber bands, pens, and who knows what else may be hiding in there.
• Shower Fresh: Nylon and fabric shower liners can be tossed in the washer and hung dry.   It’s a good idea to freshen up the curtain as well.  Follow the care instructions on the label for a quick refresh.  Plastic liners can be wiped down with bleach and a sponge and hung dry.  
• Grout with Clout: Spritz grout with a cleaner like CLR Brilliant bath and let it sit for a few minutes.  Use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean and wipe with a damp cloth. 
• Washer: Sometimes we need to clean our cleaners.  Washers, especially front load, can get stinky over time.  For a front load, wipe the rubber dry bladder after each use.   To clean the drum, add a half cup of baking soda directly into the drum.  Add a quarter cup of vinegar to the detergent slot and run a quick cycle on hot.  For a top load, just add a half cup of bleach to the drum and run on the special clean cycle.  
• Fantastic Fans: Grab an extendable duster and wipe fan blades, hanging lights, recessed lights, crown molding, and pesky corners.  

• Vents: Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to grab dust that collects in vents and register covers. These areas are too often forgotten.
• Patio Furniture:   As warmer weather approaches, get your outdoor space ready to enjoy.  Fill a bucket with warm water and a squeeze of dish soap.  Wipe down plastic, glass, and metal tables and chairs with a microfiber cloth.  Rinse with a hose.  Enjoy.   

Conclusion

And there you have it!  Our top fifteen spring cleaning tips to refresh your domain. Many of the supplies we use can be found at Grove Collaborative. We hope this checklist will make your spring cleaning tasks manageable–dare we say enjoyable–leaving your home spotless from top to bottom.  For additional information on spring cleaning and spring maintenance check out our Spring Maintenace Blog post here.