Buying your own home is a big part of the American dream, but if you’re a first time buyer, it’s unlikely that anybody mentioned the cleaning that comes with being a homeowner! Having said that, while it might seem a nightmare for many, for others nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment when you get a head start on your spring cleaning!

Granted, spring cleaning is a giant chore, but if you space out your spring cleaning list over a couple of weeks it may not seem like such an overwhelming task. 

Most experts agree that you should start with the smallest project on the list. Our brains register that completing a task is a powerful reward, and it produces the motivation to keep going. Whether you have only five minutes to freshen things up or you happen to have an entire weekend to dedicate to spring cleaning, the important thing is to start and the most efficient way is to take it room by room. 

Here are our spring cleaning tips to take the stress out of the chore!

First Step – Gather your Supplies

Grab a cleaning caddy and start loading your cleaning supplies. That way everything you need is in one place and you’ll know if you’re missing anything. Here’s a list of the top ten cleaning supplies you’ll need:

  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Window & glass cleaner
  • Baking soda
  • Mop and bucket
  • Vacuum
  • Garbage bags
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Sponges
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Rubber gloves

Once you’re armed with your supplies, you’re ready to tackle your cleaning room by room.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the toughest rooms to clean since it’s constantly in use. Between meal prep, snack time, and everything else, just keeping up with daily maintenance can feel stressful. The key? Break it down. If de-cluttering is the goal, start with the pantry.  Purging the expired items is an accomplishment in itself. If you reorganize one cupboard or drawer each time you prepare a meal, before you know it, that task will be checked off your list. Other cleaning tasks can include:

  • Wipe down all surfaces
  • Deep clean appliances
  • Dust lighting fixtures
  • Wash kitchen rug
  • Clean sink & drain
  • Dispose of old food

Bathrooms

The bathroom takes a little extra elbow grease to do a proper spring cleaning. Start by washing your towels, shower curtain and mat. Do an inventory of your medicine cabinet and throw out expired or old products. Then move to the more labor-intensive work such as:

  • Scrub the toilet
  • Clean tile surfaces
  • Scrub the grout
  • Deep clean the shower and bath tub
  • Clean out drawers and shelves

Living/Family Room

This room is typically the hangout spot for the whole house and it’s going to need more than a few fluffed cushions and a new candle. Furniture holds onto dead skin cells and countless crumbs from snacks have probably slipped into the cracks of the cushions. Your list for this room should include:

  • Vacuuming rugs
  • Clean all upholstery
  • Dust surfaces
  • Wash throw blankets and pillows
  • Clean the TV screen

Bedrooms

You should be washing your bed linens weekly so during spring cleaning, take it to the next level by deep cleaning your mattress. Remove all bedding including the mattress protector. Next, use the brush attachment to vacuum your mattress. Spot clean any stains and then sprinkle a cleaning powder (baking soda works great) on the mattress. Let it sit for a while, then vacuum the powder up. Let the mattress air out for 24 hours. In addition to deep cleaning the mattress you should:

  • Wipe down all surfaces
  • Dust light fixtures
  • Clear out junk in your nightstand drawers
  • Clean out closets
  • Purge and donate

Laundry Room

This is a room that often falls under the radar when it comes to cleaning. Carve out some time to clean and organize including:

  • Wipe down surfaces
  • Clean inside the machines
  • Clean dryer vents
  • Tidy up the cabinets
  • Organize your detergents
  • Remove unnecessary clutter

All Over the House

Focus on wiping down walls and baseboards and cleaning all surfaces. And, of course, clean the windows. A few tips for this task include:

  • Don’t choose a sunny day to clean the windows. The cleaner will dry onto the hot windows before you get to wipe it off leaving hard-to remove streaks.
  • Before you start, clean dirt from the window frame with your vacuum attachment. This will prevent dirt from turning into a muddy mess when mixed with the cleaner.
  • Instead of using old cotton rags or newspaper to dry your window, use reusable microfiber cloths. They’re super absorbent and leave the glass shiny and streak free.
  • Don’t try to clean all the windows in one day. Remember, the key is doing one room at a time. 
  • When you’re cleaning, wipe one side of the window horizontally and the other vertically. If any streaks do form, you’ll be able to tell whether they’re on the outside or inside. 

Enlist some Help

You’ll need to get all hands on deck for a successful spring cleaning. If you live alone, grab your bestie to help you. Then you can return the favor. Once you’re done reward yourselves with a night out. Launch it as a fun event for the family and award prizes for the ones who complete the most tasks. Celebrate with a pizza party when it’s all done. 

Spring cleaning requires time and effort, but with planning and preparation you’ll be surprised at how fast you can finish tasks. And imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel when it’s done.