Spring Cleaning Checklist

A clean house is a house that is healthy to live in. There are many necessary things that need to be done at different intervals of time to keep a nice clean house. Some chores obviously need to be done on a daily basis, others weekly, others need only be done once a month and there are several chores that need to be done only seasonally. Spring cleaning is necessary because the winter things (clothes, blankets etc) need to be put in a special place. In addition, other things need to be done, but only two or three times a year. These chores are easily remembered if there is a spring cleaning checklist to aid in the organized completion of the tasks.

Spring Cleaning Tips
Before you begin the spring cleaning process it is best to keep several things in mind. Here are a few spring cleaning tips to help you in your spring cleaning.
1. Be organized- Write all the things that you think need to be done. The best way is to do this room by room, not forgetting the outside of the house (back/front porch, grill, patio furniture etc.)
2. Take your time! Don’t even try to do this in one day. Give it a week or even two, or if need be, do things bit by bit on the weekends.
3. Avoid distractions - Get the kids together doing something else, or helping out in some way. Turn off the TV and maybe put on some music instead.
4. Make it a party! Get help from friends and neighbors, clean while having a pizza party or "cleaning party" maybe offer to do other’s houses when you are finished with your own.
5. Give away things that are in good condition if at all possible.
6. Open up! Open up windows and doors and let the freshness of spring in. Sunshine is known to have antibacterial properties; the warmth of sunshine and the fresh warm air help to clean away bacteria and fungi that cause diseases. This is especially good for people with chronic respiratory diseases (i.e. Asthma).
7. Clean out the clutter- Dig deep into drawers and closets and clean them out in order to make room for the new.
8. Have a great time! Turn on the music, bring in the friends and have a good time! Cleaning out the old grump and dank darkness of the winter blues!

Important areas to remember while cleaning
There are several areas that need cleaning but often are left undone and forgotten. When these things are left undone the house can look much older than it really is and possibly cause some things (like the air conditioner) to breakdown sooner.

1. Appliance maintenance-These are things like the microwave, toaster, iron, and other appliances. Make sure they are all in proper working order and see that the cord is in good condition to assure proper fire safety. Additionally, clean any appliance that isn’t used often. Defrost the refrigerator; clean the lint from around the dryer, check dryer hoses.
2. vents (heating and cooling ducts) - this may require professional attention, but it can save a bundle of money in the long run on air conditioning bills. Replace filters, prevent vent blockage, and clean the fireplace for the last time before summer begins and its use is not needed for a while.
3. Outdoor areas - This is mainly the gutters, any outdoor furniture that might have been stored away for the winter, grills, and any landscaping that you might want done for the summer.
4. Exterior doors - This especially means the front door, it probably has been hit with plenty of winter dirt and grime in some way. It makes the house appear cleaner and newer if it is clean and approachable.
5. Windows-exterior and interior - Clean the window sills and areas around the window both on the outside and on the inside. Check for any necessary repairs that might need to be made as well.
6. Closet overhaul - Clear out any unnecessary items from closets and organize them well. This will make room for any new things that you might want a place for in the coming months. Donate any unnecessary items to appropriate places.

These are the main things that need to be done a few times a year. In planning the schedule for the above items, pick a time and day of the week that works best for you, allowing plenty of time for each item to be completed. While it certainly is not necessary for everything to be done in one day, it is also a good idea not to delay or procrastinate doing these things. Schedule a reasonable time to get everything done. Doing these things will make later housework easier in addition to making your house nice and prepared for any guests that might come over during the summer months.