The Yearly Cleaning Checklist
Spring is on its way and are you ready for a detailed house cleaning? Highs, lows, and hard to reach places you do not normally clean await your touch. This checklist will help you find those hidden dust bunnies and keep your home in top shape. Make sure to grab your step stool and your knee pads and lets make that home shine!
Bathrooms
- Clean the ceiling fan vents. Your fans will run smoother and removing the grim will extend their life. Remove them from your ceiling and clean them in the sink with an old toothbrush and some dish soap so you can really get into those hard to clean cracks.
- Wash or replace the shower curtain. How long have you had that soap scum covered curtain hanging in there? Go ahead and take it down and run it in the washer and dryer. That clear plastic shower curtain liner? Go ahead and throw those out and replace them.
- Clean your shower head. Your water has minerals and deposits that build up on your shower head. Boil water and then add vinegar. Soak the shower head in the mixture for 30 minutes-1 hour, then use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean.
- Bath mats: Wash all of your bath mats and dry them. Do you have a urine smell lingering around your toilet? If you have a toilet mat this is probably your offender along with your toilet seat. Wash the mat in very hot and soapy water. Soak the toilet seat in the bathtub filled with hot water and dish soap. Let it soak 30 minutes-1 hour and then scrub clean.
- Makeup, facial products, skin products, hair products, etc. : If you're a woman like me who always collects new and exciting self-care products but then never uses them then you probably have a lot of bottles hanging around. No you won't use it eventually. If you haven't used it in 1 year, toss it.
- Open the medicine cabinet and inspect the dates. Throw away any meds that are expired or old prescriptions that aren't needed anymore. Update your first aid kit.
Bedrooms
- Rotate the bed. If you want to maximize the life of your bed (and smooth out any dips) flip the mattress over.
- Clean your mattress: Sprinkle baking soda all over your mattress and let it sit for 1 hour. Come back with a vacuum and use the upholstery attachment to vacuum all of the baking soda off of your mattress.
- Wash the pillows. Pillows rarely get cleaned and your head lays on them daily. Most pillows no matter what they are made of can be put into a washing machine. Just make sure you have lots of time to dry them. Check your tag for detailed cleaning instructions. Replace any pillows that are too flattened out and lifeless.
- Vacuum your curtains and lamp shades with the upholstery tool on your vacuum.
- Bookshelves: Remove all of the books from your bookshelf and dust the shelves. Make room for new books by donating the old books you didn't really like or aren't interested in anymore to a used book store.
- Dressers: Go through each and every drawer in your dresser and get rid of any clothing items with holes or tears, or that don't fit well anymore by being too worn out.
- Kids rooms: Have your kids go through all their toys and make a pile of toys they don't play with anymore or are growing out of and donate them.
Closets
- If you are like most people you have accumulated garments you do not need. Your local donation center would love to accept your articles. If you haven't worn it in the last year - toss it.
- Move the shoes and dust the shelves.
Kitchen
- The freezer/fridge tends to build ice, smells, and old food. This is a great time to clean out your refrigerator. Move everything out from the shelves and drawers. Throw out anything expired. Clean all your fridge walls with a sponge and dish soap - wipe dry. Remove all your shelves and drawers and wash them in the sink with soap and water. Dry them and put them back. Then put all the items back in an organized manner. Repeat with freezer.
- Oven cleaning: Most ovens now have a self cleaning option that you can run. If it doesn't you can use baking soda and vinegar. Make a paste and brush all over your oven with a paintbrush and let sit for 1 hour. Then come back and scrub out with hot water and Dawn dish soap.
- Move the appliances. Behind refrigerators and ovens are a hotbed of bacteria and overall yuck! Cleaning the refrigerator coils will also give your energy efficiency a boost.
- Clear out the pantry of old food, throwing out anything expired. Make sure to donate any unwanted food to your local food donation center.
Living Room
- Break out the ladder and get those really high ceiling fans!
- Clean or have your rugs cleaned. No need to buy a rug shampoo machine, you can rent one for cheap and keep those rugs lasting longer. Vacuum your curtains. This house cleaning tip is often missed and will make make you feel much better.
- Clean under furniture: You'd be surprised how much can accumulate under your couches and chairs. Grab a partner to help you move these heavy items. Throw away all trash you find. Put away those socks that have been missing for months.Grab your vacuum and vacuum the carpet or hardwood (mop as well) and then put your furniture back.
- Remove all your couch/chair cushions. Grab your vacuum with upholstery attachment and vacuum all those food crumbs and trash that have been gathering under the cushions.
Other
- Look in the attic, basement, and garage for items to sell and donate.
- Prepare your air conditioner for the summer
- Wash interior windows: Get a mop bucket and squirt in some dish soap and vinegar. Fill with hot water and out in a couple of microfiber cloths. Using a wet towel from the bucket, wipe down your window, then follow with a squeegee to get rid of the water. Then take a dry microfiber to wipe away the excess to a streak-free finish.
All of this combined with your Katie's Peachy Clean House Cleaning Service will guarantee your home is in tip-top shape all year round!!
If you haven't had us out to your home yet - fill out this quote request form to get on your way to a clean house!
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