Planning your Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning! For some a hated chore, for others it is an anticipated process. Spring Cleaning acknowledges that winter is gone and summer is coming. It’s time to open up the windows and let the sun shine through! For homeowners, it maintains the value of your dwelling. If you want to sell, it adds value to your home. Here is a collection of home maintaining Spring Cleaning ideas for those of you who are delaying this essential task.

In the kitchen: thoroughly clean the shelves, cupboards and drawers, emptying out everything. Get rid of unnecessary items and don’t forget to clean out the areas underneath and behind your major appliances. While there, block holes that insects and rodents might use for access with steel wool. Pay close attention to the moisture pan underneath your refrigerator. If left unchecked, nasty molds and mildews can grow that put up a real stench in this room. Consider whether your freezer could use a defrosting, according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Make sure that all appliances are completely washed on the outside and inside. Do a superior job of mopping the floor.

Throughout the inside of the house: wash all of the walls, paying close attention to the areas around entryways, beds, light switches and other commonly handled areas. Clean all light fixtures and electrical appliances. Wash the doors, doorframes, screens, and windows. Vacuum the dead bugs out of the windowsills and window frames. Clean the upholstery and curtains or blinds. Consider cleaning the entire carpet or spot cleaning areas with stains. Are there areas that need new paint?

In the bathroom: clean the shelves and drawers, disposing of unwanted or unused items. Thoroughly clean the fixtures, basins and tiles, removing hard water deposits, molds and mildews. Do a superior job of mopping the floor.

Garage or storage areas: sweep thoroughly and knock down all spider webs. Organize your items and consider disposing of things you have not used in over a year. Clean up oil spots with degreasers and some scrubbing.

Exterior: knock down the spider webs and wash the walls in a manner recommended by the manufacturer of your home’s exterior covering. Consider areas that may need repair or painting. Make certain that air vents to the attic and crawl spaces are covered with small wire screens to prevent large insects, birds and rodents from making their home inside. Check for holes where pests might be gaining entry to your home. Remove items used to winterize your home (including seasonal lighting) if you have not done so already. Check for areas that may be succumbing to dry rot. Make plans to have your chimneys examined by a chimney sweep, no later than the start of fall. Clean and check all external light fixtures. Check the insulation around exposed pipes no later than the start of fall.

Spring Cleaning is a chore that requires the help of the whole family and perhaps some paid professionals. It will likely require more than one day. The end result, however, may be surmised with the eternal words of parents everywhere: “A clean house is a happy house.”