Spring Cleaning List

Spring has arrived - hurray! After the initial euphoria of the new season, you are quickly reminded of the dreaded annual exercise of spring cleaning. Firstly, I highly recommend making it a bi-annual activity (or even less often) We spend too much time fussing over our homes and not enough time enjoying them. Alternately, you could take my mother-in-law's approach and choose one room each month to clean "really thoroughly" thus avoiding spring cleaning altogether. Whatever you approach, here's a list of things that you should make the time to do "every so often".

1. Empty cupboards and drawers and wipe them out.
2. Launder draperies. You may be able to extend the time between washings by tossing drapes into the dryer every often. It freshens them up and removes dust.
3. Clean under the appliances.
4. Remove window screens and wipe them down.
5. Clean window blinds. You can use a blind cleaning service, but it you want to save money just soak them in the tub with hot soapy water and scrub them lightly with a scouring brush.
6. Check smoke alarms; replace batteries.
7. Have your chimney cleaned. This will become a fire hazard if not done regularly.
8. Rent a rug shampooer and steam clean your carpets.
9. Dust baseboards and door/window jams.
10. Have your furnace/vents cleaned.
11. Shampoo upholstered furniture.
12. Go through closets and donate unused clothing, toys, and household items. Alternately, hold a garage sale.
13. Clean light fixtures
14. Scrub on top of cupboards
15. Perform maintenance on appliances. For example: fridges need to have the coils vaccumed. some dishwashers have food traps that can accumulate, vacuums need new filters, bags, etc.
16. Take seasonal jackdets to the dry cleaner.