“The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.”
Marie Kondo
It’s time to crank up the tunes and give your home the deep clean it’s been waiting for. In this article, we list areas of the home that are in need of some seasonal cleaning and tell you the best ways to accomplish each task. Keep this guide handy as you begin cleaning your home for the spring!
Kitchen
- Sink & Garbage Disposal
Sinks are exposed to food and bacteria every day. Take some time to properly clean and disinfect this area of the kitchen. Garbage disposers are also bacteria ridden, and at times, can emit unpleasant smells. Clean and combat odor by tossing in a garbage disposer tablet. These tablets are also easy DIY projects. Place lemon or orange rinds in an ice tray filled with water. Once frozen, run them through the disposer. The ice will sharpen the blades and remove any food that may be stuck, while the rinds will release a pleasant citrus aroma. Citrus peels are safe for the garbage disposer, but fruit peels such as mangos or stringy vegetables such as celery can potentially damage the disposer, as they can get caught around the blade. Be careful of what you dispose of!
- Floors
Dirt and debris are tracked around floors each and every day. Take this time to give the floor extra care by giving it a good clean. Give the floor a good sweep. Reach underneath cabinets, the fridge, stove, and in small corners. Once finished, clean the floors with a cleaning solution that works well and smells even better. Lemon Pine Sol and Fabuloso are staples in a clean freaks’ cleaning ammo.
- Pots and Pans
Cooking with the same pots and pans easily becomes routine, but have you taken the time to inspect the condition of these cooking tools? The bottom may be stained with burnt food and grease, or maybe the handles have gone a bit loose. You may be able polish up these items by cleaning them with the proper cleaning agent, and by tightening any loose screws. If the items are beyond repair or you just want to start fresh, invest in a set that fits your cooking needs.
- Oven
The oven can become a graveyard of food that may have boiled off the sides of a dish and onto the bottom of the appliance. Find the proper cleaning agent for this appliance and remove stains. The next time you use the oven, you’ll be pleased to see a sparking surface.
- Cabinets and Drawers
It’s easy to throw items in cabinets and drawers and forget they exist. Over time, these spaces grow in strength and become “junk drawers”. Years down the line you’ll ask yourself, “How did this get so cluttered?” or “Where did all this stuff come from?”. You will then be haunted by the fact that at some point in time, this space will need to be cleaned. Today is the day to rid yourself of this nightmare! Grab a trash bag and start filtering through junk drawers. You’ll be pleased to find that most of it is trash and won’t require another spot in your home. For cabinets, only keep storage containers that are in a set, and rid the space of random containers that are rarely used or are covered in stains. Just like the pots and pans, if you want to start fresh, toss out the old and invest in new tupperware. We recommend a set that is BPA free, recyclable, freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe, and can be stored easily!
Living Room
- Couch and Pillows
When removing pillows and cushions from the couch, you’ll be surprised to see what’s been lurking underneath you while catching up on your favorite tv shows. Grab the vacuum and remove crumbs and debris from under and between the cushions. Be mindful of valuable things that may have slipped between the couch such as earrings, chapstick, or quarters. Once finished, fluff the pillows and hit the couch with a deodorizer spray.
- Dust
Dust shelves, tables, and ceiling fans to free the room of circulating debris. Dusting is especially important if residents of that home have allergies.
- Carpet Cleaning
Carpets take on a lot of wear, tear and bacteria every day. Invest in a carpet cleaner of your own or hire a professional. You will be amazed at how great your carpet looks once cleaned. Be sure to keep shoes at bay and tell your guest to remove them at the door. Shoes are a breeding ground for bacteria and even feces. This is definitely not something you want to track around in any part of your home. Always enforce a no-shoe rule in your home.
- Candles
Candles don’t count as cleaning, but they can make a huge difference in a space. Pick a candle of your choice and light it in your living room to invite your favorite smells in this space.
Bathroom
- Shower/Tub
Cleaning the shower and tub is daunting, is why many people quickly clean this area or don’t clean it at all. Today is the day where you’re going all in. Grab a tub and shower cleaner that’s free from harsh chemicals and an extendable scrubber to avoid straining your back. This is the easiest way to rid your shower and tub from dirt and gunk. A cleaning solution without harsh chemicals will allow you to breath easily in the space, and having an extendable scrubber is a luxury item you never knew you needed.
- Cabinets
Like kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets can be filled with trash and unnecessary items over time. Grab a trash bag and throw away old product containers and other trash that is not needed. You’ll be thrilled to see how much space you have for the things that actually matter.
- Shower Mats
Shower mats are breeding grounds for bacteria. Being that this item stays wet for almost an hour every day, twice a day, it’s the perfect place for bacteria to grow. Clean these mats in the washing machine if possible, or replace them all together.
- Towels
Collect used towels that have been hanging out in the bathroom and place them in the washer to be cleaned. If you have the space, place a basket designated for used towels in the corner of the bathroom. This way they don’t have to be scouted out and can easily be transferred to the washing machine.
Bedroom
- Underneath Bed
Having items underneath the bed is said to have bad feng shui (energy). If the space underneath the bed is blocked, energy can’t circulate around your body when you sleep. If energy isn’t your thing, just know there are better places for storage than where you sleep. Do your best to find homes for these items.
- Windows
Refresh your windows by giving them a good clean with window cleaner and a towel. Throw your curtains into the washer to refresh them as well.
- Floors
Like the living room, have your carpet cleaned. If you have wood flooring in your bedroom, sweep, disinfect, and polish the floors.
- Candles
No bedroom is complete without candles. Light a candle in your room to invite your favorite scents in the space.
Garage
- Organize
The garage is a great place to store items. Invest in clear storage tubs to store items such as a Christmas tree and other holiday decorations, tools, extra dry goods, etc. Stack them on shelves or neatly in a corner of the garage.
- Ground
Grab a broom and sweep around the garage. Dirt and debris fly in this space every day and can get dirty over time. You’ll be surprised at how much dirt you’ll find in sweeping your garage out!
- Clean Door
Take a soapy towel and clean the outside of the garage door. Dirt and dust can stick to this door over time. Take some time to give it a quick scrub to revitalize its original color.