Summer is a great time to tackle any Spring cleaning you didn’t get to in the Spring!There is something cathartic about organizing and refreshing your home, opening up the windows and letting in fresh air and sunshine and cleaning the cobwebs out of all the corners.If the word "cleaning" doesn’t appeal to you, try to think of it as one cleaning diva: "an opportunity to recharge the existing beauty of your home."
Making the Most of Your Time
Start with a plan. Work either room by room or task by task but do have a planned attack or the job will overwhelm you. You don’t want to put in a day’s cleaning and feel like you haven’t accomplished anything. Designate a few donation boxes so you can readily assemble items you want to donate or sell at a garage sale.You also want to consider the order of the chores. For example, you don’t want to dust off the ceiling fan after you’ve dusted all the furniture that sits below it.Setting aside specific jobs like cleaning the oven or emptying closets for the moment, here are the essentials for every room in your home:
- Wipe down walls for dust and cobwebs, wash smudges, spackle nail holes and apply touch up paint
- Wash baseboards, handrails, doors, doorknobs and switch plates
- Dust light fixtures, light bulbs and ceiling fan blades
- Move furniture (including refrigerator)and vacuum/mop floor underneath before returning to its place
- Wash any vent covers, then wax vents with car wax to slow dust buildup
- Replace filters as needed for fans or furnace
- Sweep or vacuum and wash all floors, stairs and hallways
- Polish mirrors, dust TV and computer screens and monitors
- Dust blinds, wash windows and window sills, inside and out; wash screens
- Launder curtains, throw rugs and (washable) upholstered cushions and pillows
- Vacuum sofa, chairs, ottomans or other upholstered furniture
- Dust all knick knacks, art objects and displays
- Dust furniture and, where appropriate, use furniture oil or stain to cover scratches
- Replace batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
Room-specific Cleaning and Organizing
Your kitchen is probably the most used room in the house, yet may get overlooked for deep cleaning. In addition to the daily maintenance, here are some deep cleaning extras:
- Clean oven, stove top and microwave
- Clean refrigerator, throwing out any expired or unrecognizable items
- Empty all cabinets, dust and wash down shelves and drawers before replacing anything
- Discard and replace any expired spices or foods
- Sort dishes and pans and toss out or donate any duplicates, non-working appliances, or pieces you no longer use
- Clear off counters and scrub counter tops, back splash, faucets, cabinet fronts and knobs
- Clean and reseal grout lines if necessary
- Vacuum refrigerator coils
- Take stock of household cleaning supplies and replenish your supply
Bathrooms run a close second for daily maintenance but always need deep cleaning too:
- Empty all cabinets and vanity, dust and wash shelves and drawers
- Replace outdated medications or cosmetics
- Scrub tub, shower, toilet and all fixtures
- Clean and reseal any damaged or stained grout
- Clean drains
- New towels and rugs to brighten it up
- Repaint if needed
The laundry room can easily become disorganized and out of control. While "summer cleaning" you may want to institute some organizational steps as well to control the clutter.
- Wash both outside and inside of washer and dryer
- Clean lint trap (should be done on a regular basis, not just Spring)
- Clean drains and laundry sink
- Scrub counter tops and replace items that belong
- Purchase hampers for sorting laundry
- Empty and wash out any cabinets or drawers
- Sort supplies and replace what you need, discard old or unused items
- Buy new hangers
Closets are in foyers, living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. Closets generally require the extra step of sorting and reorganizing along with cleaning since they often serve as "catchalls" for the family.
- Take everything out of the closet
- Sweep, vacuum and wash down the interior of the closet including shelves and drawers
- Sort items before returning them to the closet: what to keep and what to toss, donate, or move elsewhere in the house
- Consider reconfiguring the closet for better storage if it’s not being efficiently used
- Add accessory pieces to a customized closet such as Closets by Design’s additional drawers, shelves or matching containers or baskets
- Move seasonal items to storage to free up day-to-day use space
- Repaint the closet and add sensor lighting
- Add a deodorizing or dehumidifying freshener (cedar, rosemary and lavender deter bugs)
Outside and patio have unique spring cleaning issues.
- Scrub and repaint any patio furniture not covered up during winter
- Wash exterior doors and repaint or retreat wood
- Sweep and wash down walkways and porches
- Wash siding and cobwebs out of eaves
- Plant new flowers, trim and weed existing gardens
- New welcome mat
Refresh or Update Home Accessories
As you go through the process of sorting and cleaning, you may want to make some aesthetic changes, like new color schemes, adding a bright accent color, new slip covers or decorative art. Maybe change out bedspreads, throw pillows or decorative art during the year or for special holidays for a fresh look.Whatever you do, make your space clean, fresh and inviting so you and your family will enjoy your home and maybe even be inspired to keep it organized!If you discover that you need some reorganization and storage renovations, Closets by Design is an industry leader in custom-tailored closets and other storage systems for garage, pantry, home offices and utility rooms. To find out more, call 1-888-500-9215 or go online to www.closetsbydesign.com to see a virtual showroom and to find a location near you. A custom designer is only a call or click away!
