Spring Cleaning vs. Everyday Cleaning: The Ultimate Checklist
Everywhere you look, spring clean buzz is in the air! Internet headlines and the cover of every home decor magazine are ready to tackle spring cleaning! But, apart from being an annual tradition, what does it really mean? Is there actually a difference between spring cleaning and weekly chores? Here’s our ultimate checklist:
Typically, everyday cleaning is routine. Everyone has different levels of cleanliness for their home, but generally, the following things are done daily:
- Bedrooms – beds made, clothes that can be re-worn are hung up, dirty clothes are put into the hamper or laundered
- Bathrooms – sink and toilet scrubbed, if there’s residue
- Kitchen – dishes hand-washed or placed in the dishwasher, pots and pans scrubbed, tabletop / counter / island wiped down, crumbs swept up or vacuumed
- Front hall – shoes tidied up, coats hung up, kids’ backpacks emptied and lunch bags cleaned out.
On a weekly basis, whenever there are spare hours in your day, or if a housekeeper helps out, more chores get tackled:
- Bedrooms – linens washed, and clothes laundered and put away
- Bathrooms – sink, bath, toilet and mirrors are cleaned, waste bin emptied
- Kitchen – sink cleaned, fridge partially cleaned out, stove top deep wiped
- Plus: every room gets dusted, vacuumed, dry or wet mopped, and gets a general tidy up.
On the other hand, spring cleaning is not routine. Seasonal items need to be washed and packed away, such as snow gear, winter wear and heavy duvets. Plus, mud rugs and scraper mats need to be hosed down and put away.
Then there’s the big-ticket items to tackle; this list includes:
- Mattresses vacuumed and flipped over, other side vacuumed and left to air all day
- Windows washed (inside and out)
- Fridge emptied, all shelves washed down and expired food and condiments thrown out
- Cupboards and hardware, including pull knobs, dusted and wiped down
- Stove cleaned inside and out (oven deep cleaned, stovetop cleaned and wiped down)
- Wood furniture dusted and polished; upholstered items steam cleaned
- Light fixtures and light bulbs dusted and washed
- Curtains steam cleaned or dry cleaned, or blinds dusted and/or hand-washed
- Rugs and carpets steam cleaned, dry cleaned or hand-washed
- Floors in all rooms not just mopped; sticky patches scrubbed away, grout steam cleaned if needed
- Air vents changed
- Carbon monoxide and smoke detector batteries replaced
- Winter boots cleaned, polished, shoe tree or other protectors put into them and put away
- Backyard decks, balconies and front porches swept and power-washed.
Depending on how often you clean, and how deep and consistent those sessions are throughout the year, spring cleaning can take just a few extra hours on a weekend. Make sure to stock up on more cleaning supplies than those you buy regularly, such as:
- Microfibre cloths
- Laundry detergent
- Natural disinfectants, like white vinegar and lemons.
Take it one step further and rent or borrow a pressure washer, steam cleaner or carpet cleaner. And remember, a fabulous playlist and a warm sunny day make all the difference when you can throw open the windows and let in the fresh spring air!
