Steps to Spring Cleaning

Spring is almost here! For my spring cleaning to do list, I will need Clorox wipes, Oven cleaner, Shower Cleaner that removes hard water stains, Febreeze, Windex or Vinegar, and a steam cleaner for rugs.

Bathroom
I like to start small and work my way to the more complicated rooms. The bathroom is the best place to start to feel like I'm accomplishing something.

Toilet - Not only the bowl, but the tank in back of it. That's where all the water comes from, so I'll probably get one of those blue things that smells nice! Short of that, a little bleach goes a long way in cleaning things up. Clorox wipes on the outside of it will get rid of dust and hair.

Tub/Shower - This one's a perpetual problem thanks to hard water stains. My mode of battle against them will be a cleaning brush and some comet or scrubbing bubbles. After that, I'll spray some shower de-mildewing solution and wipe it down. I will also throw the cloth shower curtain in the wash.

Counter/Sink - This is quickly taken care of my using Clorox wipes (I just use a store brand) on everything, adding a nice-smelling candle, and shining the faucet with glass cleaner. I think I might have to take apart the knobs though, since they're turning orange at the bottom because of the hard water.

Carpets - The bath mat, the contour rug around the toilet, they're both getting tossed in the wash! This is the best time to replace them for new colors, too.

Floor - More wipes. I use a paper towel first and go around the edges to get the dust and hair, then start at the back and work my way out, getting the sideboards and the floor itself.

Kitchen
The kitchen can be hard to do because I have three roommates, and we all share the space. I'll have to get everyone together to discuss the cleaning here. I'll open a window first; spring cleaning is about letting all the fresh air in, after all.

Fridge - It's going to be cleaned out. I'll try to use up the things that have been in the freezer leading up to the big cleaning day, and toss anything that's been forgotten in the back of the fridge. There's no ice buildup in the freezer, so no worries there, but I will empty everything out and wipe it all down. The drawers need to be cleaned, I know. I'll take everything off the top and wipe that down as well.

Stove - The stove doesn't have a cleaning cycle, but some heavy duty stove cleaner will be good enough - just don't forget to open a window! The catch pans on the top need cleaning, as well.

Cupboards - These need organizing pretty badly, as well as the drawers. I'll do what I can to make some room in them.

Countertops - I'll use that room in the cupboards to hopefully clear up the countertops a bit. Once I have everything off of them, I'll use another wipe and make sure the counter's spotless.

Sink - I'll clean with a wipe, shine with glass cleaner, then put a lemon into the garbage disposal (whole) and freshen that up a bit.

Floor - See the floor in the bathroom.

Living Room
This room gets the least cleaning attention because it isn't used much.

Rugs - The rugs are in sore need of a spring cleaning steam clean. I'll pick up a rug doctor and figure out how to use it, or find someone who knows how.

Couch - The couch cushions are going outside to be febreezed and aired out; I'll vacuum in the couch and on the outside of it, then pull it away from the wall and get the floor behind it. All cat toys I find (there will be many) will go in the little bin we keep the cat toys in. I'll spray the couch with Febreeze as well (I'll probably use the pet odor eliminator).

TV stand, DVD racks, shelves - A rag and some Lysol dusting spray, preferably lemon scented, will be what I use on the many surfaces that will be dusty in the living room. Maybe we'll organize the books, while we're at it, but probably not.

Fan - There is a ceiling fan; it hasn't been on for some time, so I will get a step stool and dust the top sides so we don't have falling dust bunnies the minute it's turned on.

Windows - Windex is my friend here, but I've heard vinegar works really well, so I'm thinking of using that instead. The windows need to be dusted of spiderwebs, any mold on them removed with bleach (another reason to use vinegar - Windex and bleach combined I very bad). Then they just need to be cleaned, both inside and outside.

Those are the basics of my spring cleaning to-do list. It's not all the rooms, but it's the most common ones in the house.