...Time to clean!

Looking for a great "spring cleaning" checklist? Some people swear by flylady.com. I use organizedhome.com. But this cleaning checklist is one that I have developed as a compilation of many sources.

Basic tips for cleaning...

1. Always clean top to bottom. Start at the back room of your house on the top floor and work forward and down.

2. Gather all your cleaning tools and cleaners and take them with you as you go. This wasting time having to walk up and down the stairs to collect them.

3. I would not try to do all of this on one day unless you have an army to help you clean. It is best to break it up across the week or even two weeks if you need to!

Supplies to gather - long handled dust mop; broom; vacuum with brush attachment; step stool; cleaning rags; bucket; sponge; cleaning brush; glass cleaner; surface cleaner; shower cleaner; toilet cleaner; stainless steel cleaner; wood cleaner; cleaning wipes; and trash bags.

3. As you go from room to room, take a 4 way mind set with you (think about that show Clean Sweep) - think Trash, Give Away, Sell, and Keep. Do it as you go, anything that you can give away don't put it back on the shelf, put it in a box with the name of a person or organization on it immediately! If you are going to sell it at a later date, and you are being honest with yourself that you really will have this yard sale, then you can store all those things in one designated area.

4. Find a "distraction"! For some people, it's music. For me, it's talking to my friends on the phone. I put on a headset and talk my way through hours of work. Praise the Lord for long distance plans!

5. But "stay on task". Don't go from place to place. Work on one thing at a time until it's completed. Don't start cleaning the bathtub and then leave it half done to go make the bed. One completely clean room will feel much better than 3 rooms that are one third of the way finished.


The Bathroom Super Clean

• Take all dirty clothing and towels to the laundry room.
• Wash bathmats.
  
• Dust the fans and vents.
• Clean light fixtures.
• Dust the ceiling and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
  
• Dust any framed art on walls.
• Clean doors.
  
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Scrub tub and shower. Don't forget the fixtures.
  
• Throw away any empty shampoo containers or old soap.
  
• Wash down sink and fixtures.
• Clean mirror.
  
• Dust any knick-knacks.
• Clean out medicine cabinet. Throw away any old prescriptions.
• Clean out underneath sink.
• Organize linen cabinet.
  
• Scrub toilet.
• Clean baseboards.
  
• Sweep and mop the floor.
• Empty and wash out trash can.
• Put out any finishing touches...clean towels, fill soap dispensers, and freshening candles.

The Bedroom Super Clean

• Straighten up room before you start. Putting away clothes where they belong. Throwing away trash. Putting knick-knacks, books, and toys where they belong.
• Dust ceilings and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
• Dust wall art.
• Wash doors.
• Clean ceiling fan and vents.
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Wash all bedding, comforters, mattress pads, and pillows.
• Vacuum mattress.
• Flip mattress.
• Clean under bed.
• Dust knick-knacks.
• Use vacuum attachment to clean lampshade.
• Dust dressers, and other furniture.
• Organize closets and drawers.
  
• Clean flooring.

Living Area Super Clean

What is a "living area"? Anything that is not a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or dining area. It can be anything from a refinished basement kids playroom to a den to a traditional living room. So you may have to skip some things on this list that do not apply to your room.

• Straighten up room before you start. Throwing away trash. Putting knick-knacks, books, and toys where they belong.
• If this is a playroom area, go through your toys with the "clean sweep" method.
• If this is a "tv" room, organize your movies with the "clean sweep" method.
  
• Dust ceilings and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
• Dust wall art.
• Wash doors.
• Clean ceiling fan and vents.
• Clean light fixture.
  
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Dust knick-knacks.
• Use vacuum attachment to clean lampshades.
• Use vacuum attachment to clean couches and chairs.
• Wash or dry clean any pillows or blankets.
  
• Dust furniture.
• Clean flooring including spots on carpet.
  

Dining Room Super Clean

• Dust ceilings and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
• Dust wall art.
• Wash doors.
• Clean ceiling fan and vents.
• Clean light fixture.
  
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Dust knick-knacks.
• If you have a bakers rack or china hutch, wash crystal and china in display.
• Wash down dining room chairs and table.
• Dust furniture.
• Clean flooring including spots on carpet.

Kitchen Super Clean

• Run ice and bleach down the kitchen drain. Run the garbage disposal until ice has cleared.
• If you have any dirty dishes lying around, wash them and put them away.
• Organize the kitchen cabinet and drawers. Remember the "clean sweep" way! Throw away anything that is broken and give away anything you haven't used in more than a year!
• Dust ceilings and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
• Dust wall art.
• Wash doors.
• Clean ceiling fan and vents.
• Clean light fixture.
  
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Clean outside of the cabinets by using brasso on the hinges if they are on the outside, use oil soap and then a wood polish.
  
• Dust knick-knacks.
• Clean inside and outside of stove/oven.
• Clean inside and outside of microwave.
• Clean other appliances.
• Clean out the refrigerator!
• Clean out the sink.
• If you have an eating area in your kitchen, clean the table and the chairs.
• Clean flooring. The old fashioned hands and knees method really does work best for a deep clean.

And that's it! I'm sure you are exhausted. And it will probably take all week! If you want a list for something I forgot here, let me know.