Spring Cleaning Your House

When the temperature finally cracks 50°F in the upper Midwest, we know two things - shorts season is officially here and it’s time to clean!

After being cooped up under a pile of plush throw blankets all winter, Midwesterners rejoice at the first signs of spring. Suddenly, anything and everything is possible. We’re energized and ready to take on the annual deep cleaning.

Here’s a guide to help you tackle the mess:

General

1. Declutter everything, everywhere. Find more to toss, sell or donate.

2. Tidy up. Put things back where they belong.

3. Crack open windows to let fresh air into the hermetically sealed boxes we call home.

4. Wipe down walls and dust shelves. If you really want to impress, wipe down the baseboards, too.

5. Sanitize commonly touched surfaces, including countertops, light switches, stair rails and doorknobs.

6. Wash and store winter gear and clothing.

7. Must-Do: Step outside, take a few deep breaths and enjoy the warm sunshine. Then add Zyrtec to your shopping list, because seasonal allergies are about to make life miserable. Also, check for ticks.

Kitchen

1. Clear the countertops.

2. Wipe down all surfaces. Don’t forget to take a peek under the range hood.

3. Remove expired food. Compost if you can.

4. Clean refrigerator inside and out. Check gaskets and underneath pull-out drawers.

5. Hidden Dirt: Clean under the fridge. You might be shocked to see how many breadcrumbs and Froot Loops are hiding there.

6. Run the cleaning cycle on oven, coffee maker and dishwasher.

7. Empty trash and recycling bins.

8. Use soapy water to clean out the trash and recycling bins.

9. Sweep and mop floor.

Bathroom

1. Scrub the toilet inside and outside.

2. Dust the tops of light fixtures and shelves.

3. Wipe down exhaust fan.

4. Wash shower curtain and liner.

5. Scrub tub and shower.

6. Clean windows and mirrors.

7. Shake out or wash rugs.

8. Sweep and mop floor.

Living Room

1. Clean windows and mirrors.

2. Wash curtains and wipe down blinds.

3. Dust ceiling fan blades. Check the spin direction and adjust to counter-clockwise for summer cooling.

4. Vacuum and sweep the floors.

5. Wash and put away throw blankets.

6. Redecorate: Rearrange furniture for a fresh look.

Garage

1. Crank the tunes! Cleaning is way more fun with music.

2. Pull out everything.

3. Sweep the floor from back to front. You may want to wear a mask, since there will be a lot of dirt and dust in the air. Open windows and doors if you can.

4. Decide what items to keep, toss or donate.

5. Organize as you put everything back into the garage. Use storage shelves, tool benches and pegboards.

6. Move winter items to the rear or rafters.

7. Keep summer items close to the front and easily accessible.

Other Areas

1. Wipe screens with a dry microfiber cloth. Don’t spray screens with cleaner.

2. Change your HVAC filter. Most experts recommend changing at least every 90 days. Depending on your system or usage, that timeline may be different. We have a monthly reminder on our calendar to visually check the filter and change as needed. Typically we change it every other month.

3. Clean out the dryer vent. Lint builds up inside the vent and duct, which can be a fire hazard.

Remember, spring cleaning doesn't have to be done all at once. Take it one task at a time, and celebrate your progress along the way. Good luck!