The idea of spring cleaning has been with us for centuries. Its tasks and traditions vary from one region or culture to the next—it doesn’t always happen in the spring. (Some cultures tie it to the New Year.) The constant is that about once a year, you need to give your place a deep cleaning.
Spring cleaning has plenty of advantages, beyond just making things look nice if the neighbors stop by. For one thing, it helps clean and remove clutter. It gives you the chance to clean areas that may have gone untouched for an extended period, such as basements, attics, and crawlspaces. It’s also a great, often fun way to spend time with family and friends as you refresh your living space and restore it to top condition.
What's Spring Cleaning?
At its most basic level, spring cleaning is a yearly activity in which people clean their homes, go through clutter, and throw out unwanted items. The time commitment can vary, depending on how much cleaning is required.
When to Start Spring Cleaning
For many, spring cleaning occurs from approximately March to May, but there are many factors to take into consideration, such as local weather conditions, type of property, scope of work, and more. It’s important to work at your own pace and know when to bring in a professional.
Along with when, people often wonder where to start cleaning in their home. That certainly varies from property to property, but a frequently recommended strategy is to begin on the lowest floor and work up.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Every spring cleaning checklist will be a little different, depending on the needs of each property or family, but there are a few things that hold true across most homes:
- Clean high-touch surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, and countertops.
- Clean bathrooms, toilets, and showers.
- Clean upholstery and carpets.
- Clean drapes and blinds.
- Clean ceilings, walls, and baseboards.
- Vacuum or mop all floors.
- Dust every room.
- Clean and wash windows and doors.
- Clean garage.
- Clean exterior items and furniture such as deck, patio, and chairs.
- Consolidate and remove clutter where necessary.
Tips for Spring Cleaning
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers some additional spring cleaning tips:
- Check the expiration date on medication before throwing it out. Be sure to consult the bottle or box—some medications can’t be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet.
- Check your refrigerator temperature. Your refrigerator should be kept at 40° Fahrenheit, and your freezer at 0° Fahrenheit. If you go through your refrigerator and pantry as part of spring cleaning, this will help with saving food properly and slow the growth of bacteria.
- Check appliance cords and make sure everything is safely connected and there are no frays, cracks, or breaks. If so, repair or replace.
- Clean dryer vents and hosing.
- Test smoke alarms and replace any more than 10 years old.
- Test carbon monoxide alarms. Replace any more than seven years old.
- Examine and change furnace filters, if necessary.
- Examine home water filters, sink and refrigerator dispensers, air filters, and air conditioning units. Change them is needed.
SERVPRO is Available 24/7
For the spring cleaning activities that might be too much to handle yourself, SERVPRO can help. We can help out with cleaning air ducts, carpet and upholstery, ceilings and floors, and more. We have the tools, proprietary cleaning products, and expertise needed to get your property in top condition.
To find out more, contact us today or visit our FAQ and Glossary.