Warmer days are around the corner, and this is the perfect time for an annual spring clean that puts those dusty, dank days of winter behind us.
Deciding where to begin can be one of the hardest parts of a spring clean.
Rather than thinking of the project in terms of rooms, perhaps you might find it easier to be task-based.
Your first step must be decluttering. Be courageous and dive into those storage areas. Go through items that you know are unwanted and discard them.
Of course, spring cleaning is more than decluttering. There’s an expectation of applying some elbow grease, too.
Below, I’ve listed some of the tasks you may want to approach:
Washing windows (inside and out).
Cleaning walls and ceilings, and baseboards.
Dusting hard-to-reach areas.
Cleaning light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Thorough vacuuming and mopping.
Carpet cleaning or shampooing. (You can hire a machine easily at a local retailer or supermarket. Alternatively, call in a contractor.)
Polishing wooden floors. (Talk to a specialist retailer about the best cleaning solution for your floors. Do you know if the finish on your floors is oil- or water-based?)
There are other tasks for specific rooms, too:
Kitchen: Can you find the energy to clean the oven, refrigerator and dishwasher? The pantry could probably do with an audit to throw out expired items.
Bathrooms: You probably only need to do the usual tasks – cleaning toilets, showers and tubs. If you have time, check if the grout needs attention to rid it of mold spots.
Living Areas: Perhaps give the living areas a little more focus than usual. Vacuum the upholstery of your furniture to rid it of winter dust and grime. If you have leather couches and chairs, wipe them down with a special, leather-rejuvenating cloth.
Security Check: Include in your spring cleaning regime a check of your smoke detector, and make sure your fire extinguisher in the kitchen is within its use-by date.