Crawling out of hibernation for spring has got to be one of the best feelings – especially after the crazy winter we have had in Alberta this year! Every year I crawl out of my hot cocoa induced, fuzzy sock wearing, hiding under the blankets hibernation, I am always hit with a pile of spring cleaning to do. Where do we even start?! Winter-gear has taken over the closets, and a full home deep clean hasn’t been done in months. If you are in this position don’t worry – you’re not alone. Let’s tackle spring cleaning for 2019 together!

I have taken the time to share with you my spring cleaning checklist plus some tips and tricks on how to make the process as quick and painless as possible so you can get back to enjoying the warm weather! At the end you will also find a printable PDF checklist for your spring cleaning mission. Let’s do this!

Basics Of Spring Cleaning –

Start With What You Know

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of deep cleaning your entire home, pick one room and start with what you know. Start with the basic cleaning; putting things where they belong, vacuuming, dusting, wiping down surfaces, and so on. Then, dive into “deep clean mode” and remove anything that doesn’t belong and set it in the room that it does, then deal with that item when I get there. This is a very satisfying way of cleaning and makes it easier to go from room to room. Take the time you need to make the process achievable and not overwhelming. It’s so worth it in the end!

Now that you’re ready to start your spring cleaning journey, make sure you save this printable PDF version of my checklist at the bottom!

Checklist For Each Room In The House

For each room in the house there is a repeating series of steps to complete for spring cleaning. After the basic routine, we’re ready to move into deep clean mode for the entire house. The following checklist describes these steps in order of how there are completed and some extra tips and tricks on how to do them.

• Move winter items to storage and bring summer items up from storage
  • This is a great place to start for every room to remove all of those leftover reindeer mugs, extra heavy duty blankets, and winter gear that are ready to be retired for the season.
  • Make sure to keep your storage area neat and tidy!
• Vacuum and shampoo carpets and rugs
• Thorough dusting
  • Remember ceiling fans, crown mouldings and baseboards, ceiling corners, light fixtures and lamps, around mirrors and picture frames.
• Sweeping, mopping, and polishing hardwood floors
• Wash doors, walls, and ceilings
• Wash windows, window blinds, and window screens
• Disinfect door knobs and light switch plates
• Clean air vents
  • Check out this article on how to clean air vents
• Replace light bulbs
• Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
  • This is a great time to remember to do this, but they should be changed twice a year!

The Kitchen

The kitchen can be an intimidating room to tackle, so I usually like to get it done first to get it out of the way. After you have completed the initial steps for the room as described above, you can dive into deep clean mode for the kitchen with the following steps. Start with the tasks that include a “timer” such as running the dishwasher, throwing items in the wash, etc. then reorganize, and finish off with deep cleaning. Here is my spring cleaning kitchen checklist:

• Deep clean the dishwasher
  • Start off your kitchen cleaning routine by deep cleaning the dishwasher – more than just running an empty load! Check out this article on how to deep clean your dishwasher
• Throw your table linens and table cushions in the wash
• Re-organize kitchen cabinets, drawers, and pantry
• Clean and organize the fridge and freezer
  • Replace the refrigerator water filter (this should be done every 6-12 months) – learn how here
  • Clean the refrigerator coils – learn how here

• Clean the oven and stove
  • Check out some oven maintenance tips here
• Sharpen knives
• Deep clean pots and pans
• Sanitize cutting boards, coffee maker, small appliances, high chairs
• Clean the microwave, pot rack, under the sink, the garbage can

Bathrooms

The bathrooms are a fairly easy space to clean because they are small and regularly cleaned, but there are a few spring cleaning practices that should be carried out on top of the regular bathroom cleaning that is done. Spring cleaning acts as a great time to buy the items you’ve been needing and complete the tasks you’ve been putting off. 

• Organize and declutter cabinets, drawers, and bathroom closet
• Throw away expired or unused makeup and clean your makeup brushes
• Rinse and recycle empty supplies
• Make a list of products that need to be refilled
• Wash floor mat, decorative towels, trash can, and cabinets
• Disinfect toothbrush holders, counter tops, toilet
• Clean mirrors
• Deep clean shower/tub
  • Including the shower caddy, shower curtain liner, shower glass, and shower head
• Refill soap dish/pump
• Mop and scrub floors and walls
• Polish faucets and wood cabinets
• Clean bathroom exhaust fan
  • Learn how to clean the vent here
• Unclog drains
  • There are many ways to unclog a shower drain – learn how here
• BONUS POINTS: Caulk around bathtub
  • Check out this article on caulking bathtubs here

The Laundry Room

The laundry room is often times neglected as it’s used for cleaning and doesn’t seem like a place that would get overly dirty. That is why it’s important give your laundry room some love during your spring cleaning to make sure it’s in good shape! Here are a few ways to maintain your laundry room on top of the basic cleaning checklist:

• Clean dryer vent
  • This is SUPER important for fire safety! An unclean dryer vent is a leading cause of house fires. Learn how to clean it here
• Empty the lint trap on the dryer
• Clean the interior of the dryer with dishwashing liquid and warm water
• Wipe down the outside of the machines
• Run washing machine empty with white vinegar
• Empty the drain pump 
  • Learn how to here
• Wash the sink
• Dust behind and underneath washer and dryer
• Clean the bottom of your iron
• Eliminate unnecessary cleaning products

Bedrooms

Cleaning your bedroom can be one of the longest processes of spring cleaning because it often times involves purging through your belongings and a lot of cleaning that gets pushed to the side because let’s face it, the only person who sees your messy room is you! Here is your deep spring cleaning checklist for the bedroom once you’re done with the cleaning basics:

• Sort through and organize your closet and donate unneeded items
• Switch seasonal clothing
  • Clean and organize dresser and nightstands
• Flip, rotate, and clean your mattress
  • Learn how to deep clean your mattress here
• Clean under your bed
• Wash bedsheets and pillows
• Clean windows and window sills

Indoor Bonus Points!

• Touch up paint on walls
• Wash window curtains
• Wax and touch up the paint on wood furniture
• Polish/wax flooring
• Condition leather furniture
• Schedule termite or pest control maintenance

Outside

Once the weather warms up, it’s time to take a weekend to focus on the outside of your home. This can be a physically demanding process that requires time and energy, so make sure you’re not taking on too much if you’re doing this part alone. Here is your outdoor spring cleaning checklist from start to finish:

• Sweep and power wash deck
• Power wash siding and garage door
• Clean outside door frames, windows, and light fixtures
• Remove cobwebs with a broom
• Shake out and vacuum entry mat
• Clean BBQ
  • Check out this article on how to clean your BBQ here
• Clean patio furniture
• Trim trees and bushes
• Check and repair hoses and sprinklers

Outdoor Bonus Points!

• Touch up paint trim, wood, doors, and shutters
• Plant flowers and garden, add mulch to landscaping
  • Best flowers for gardening in Calgary here
• Wash and wax vehicles
• Clean out garage
• Clean and repair gutters and roof shingles
• Stain deck

Spring cleaning is a lot of work, but it’s so worth it in the end. Going into summer with a clean and tidy home is a great feeling and sets you and your family up for success for the rest of the year. However, just like all things, spring cleaning should be a positive experience. Avoid being overwhelmed by the whole experience by taking as much time as you need, and asking for help if you need it. Download the printable PDF version of the “Spring Cleaning Checklist 2019” and get started today!

As your chosen Airdrie REALTOR ®, I look forward to learning about your needs. Let’s find the home you’re dreaming of together.