It’s officially spring, and there’s no better time to clean your home and declutter your space. To help you cover all your bases, here’s your 2021 Spring Cleaning Checklist (with a free downloadable guide from our expert cleaning team at the end!).
1. Plan out your cleaning tasks.
Creating a spring cleaning plan not only keeps you focused on the task at hand (and accountable for completing it in a timely manner!), but it also allows you to visualize exactly what needs to be done and when.
Take a careful look at your space and determine which areas need the most attention, including any areas you may skip during routine cleaning. Then, create a room-by-room cleaning schedule, starting with the rooms of highest need and working your way down to those that don’t need as much work. You might also wish to consider how long each room will take, as well as how much time you can devote to cleaning when crafting your schedule.
2. Start with the clutter.
Getting rid of clutter can make your home feel significantly cleaner and take a huge weight off your shoulders. However, it can also be time-consuming and overwhelming to go through everything! Taking a systematic approach often helps make the task seem more manageable.
First, identify any “problem areas” that have collected a lot of clutter. Then, analyze the reason for the mess and come up with an appropriate solution. (For example, a problem of piled-up shoes can be easily solved with a shoe rack or organizer near the front door.) If you find you have more belongings than you can keep organized in the house, consider sorting them into four categories — put away, store, donate, or throw out — and then take action as soon as possible.
3. Run a HEPA vacuum throughout your home.
Vacuuming can do more than pick up piles of dust. With a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum, you can also remove particles that are invisible to the naked eye, such as pet dander and other allergens. Vacuums equipped with HEPA filters work to trap tiny particles, rather than circulating back into the air, making it an ideal tool for allergy sufferers. Of course, this works best if you are using a thorough vacuuming technique — be sure to move your furniture as you clean, or at least vacuum underneath it!
If you don’t have a HEPA vacuum, consider purchasing a vacuum with different attachments for different types of spaces. Tools like brushes, hoses, and crevice tools allow you to clean those hard-to-reach spaces and tight spots behind furniture and corners of rooms.
4. Use natural, non-toxic cleaning products
When possible, it’s best not to expose yourself to unnecessary chemicals and toxins. Fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly, low-VOC solutions available for your spring cleaning needs. Steam cleaners are a great way to clean everything from kitchen appliances to hard floors, and only require hot water vapor to effectively remove dirt and grime.
In the absence of a steam cleaner, you can also use some common household ingredients to make your own affordable, non-toxic products. Baking soda and vinegar are often touted for their cleaning and odor-neutralizing properties and, when combined with water, make a powerful cleaning solution.
5. Clean all windows and walls.
It’s easy to forget about the windows and walls when cleaning — after all, people rarely interact with these and may not notice any accumulation of dust. Fortunately, walls and blinds can be wiped down with a damp cloth (starting from the top, of course), as can window screens. For cleaning the physical glass window, using a steam cleaner and squeegee is the best method, but you can also use a natural homemade glass cleaner.
6. Replace any filters.
Another oft-overlooked spring cleaning task is replacing furnace and HVAC filters. These filters are crucial to catching unwanted particles, but won’t work as effectively when they’re covered in dust accumulated over the winter. It is recommended to replace filters at least once every 90 days, or more frequently if you see signs such as increased allergy attacks and high levels of dust near air vents. If you’ve replaced your filters and are still experiencing allergies, using an air purifier to remove allergens, indoor chemicals, or odors can make a world of difference.
7. Work from top to bottom.
When cleaning your home, it’s crucial to start from the ceiling and work your way down. Working from top to bottom forces any debris downward, whereas starting from the bottom will almost guarantee that you’ll need to go back to it after finishing the top of the room. Start by cleaning your ceilings and fans first, then dust or wipe down any surfaces. Once everything is done, sweep, vacuum, and/or mop your floors to make sure you have collected everything.
8. Go room by room through your entire home.
Task-based cleaning, such as vacuuming all the floors at once, might give you a shorter to-do list and feel less overwhelming. However, working from room to room will help you keep an organized and methodical approach without missing any key tasks or spaces.
Start with a cleaning checklist that includes every task for each room in your home, checking items off as you go. You’ll get a sense of accomplishment after finishing each section, as well as the peace of mind of knowing that every task in every room has been covered.
Make sure you’ve got every task covered with our room-by-room Spring Cleaning Checklist!
Download and print your free copy here, or contact the Scalzo team for help with your residential and commercial cleaning needs.
