Home & Garden
The Ultimate Pre-Spring Cleaning Checklist
Follow these simple tips now to make sure your home is shipshape by the time warm weather arrives.
Spring doesn't officially begin until March 19, but that's no reason to put off your annual home cleaning until then. In fact, if you do a proper pre-spring cleaning now, you won't have much dirty work left to do when warm weather finally rolls around.
If the idea of getting everything in your house spick and span seems overwhelming, don't worry: We've put together the ultimate pre-spring cleaning checklist so you can start the season off right.
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Start by getting rid of what you don't need.
Cleaning is a lot more difficult when you're buried in stuff. Take this time to declutter and get rid of the things you don't actually use. Donate any items that could be of use to others, and ditch the rest.
If you have a large amount of items you want to throw away, you may want to consider renting a dumpster. You can also hire a junk removal service to remove an appliance, remove furniture or remove and dispose of your TV.
Related: Here's Why Your Home Is A Mess — And How To Fix It
Tackle the following tasks in whatever way works best for you.
The right way to clean is whatever gets the job done. You might prefer to devote a day (or two or three, depending on the size and state of your house) to doing everything in one fell swoop. Or, you may find it's easier to do a few smaller tasks over the course of several days.
At some point before the start of the season, you'll want to do the following:
- Vacuum floors and shampoo carpets.
- Wax or polish floors as needed.
- Dust baseboards, bookshelves, ceiling fans and all surfaces in between.
- Clean window interiors and window treatments.
- Clean air ducts, vents and dryer vents.
- Replace HVAC filters and service your A/C.
- Test the batteries in all your smoke detectors.
If you want practical tips for cleaning in any season, we recommend "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook." This essential guide is filled with Martha's tips and tricks for accomplishing the most challenging housekeeping tasks with ease.
Bring in some extra help.
If you don't have the time or energy to give your home the good spring cleaning it deserves, why not bring in the professionals? You can hire handpicked, prescreened local housekeeping professionals through Amazon. Just answer a few questions about the square footage of your home and what specific services you'd like for a customized price estimate. From there, you can quickly and easily book a time that suits your busy schedule. You can book regular weekly or monthly cleanings, a one-time deep cleaning or hire a professional to help with specific tasks, such as carpet cleaning or window cleaning.
Check Out These Spring Savings On Amazon's Home Cleaning Services
Automate future cleaning.
Once you get your house clean, keep it that way with the help of a robotic vacuum. These genius gadgets are designed to lift dirt and debris from your floors every day. Top-rated models — such as the iRobot Roomba 891 Robot Vacuum — clean carpets and hard floors, under and around furniture.
Related: Shop More Robotic Vacuums
For bathrooms, kitchens and tile floors, a robotic mop is amazingly effective at keeping things tidy between cleanings. They're available in a wide range of prices and abilities; on the lower end, the iRobot Braava Jet 240 is great for small spaces and routine cleaning. On the higher end, the iRobot Braava Get M6 is ideal for larger areas and targeted spot cleaning.
Make sure your home is safe.
As previously mentioned, testing the batteries in your smoke detectors should be a part of your pre-spring cleaning checklist. The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and following the manufacturer's instructions to keep them clean and in working order.
Take this opportunity to ensure your home has enough smoke alarms in place. THE NPFA recommends installing smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement. According to the American Red Cross, carbon monoxide alarms should also be installed in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. These should also be tested regularly to ensure proper function.
First Alert makes a dual smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector alarm that's battery powered to provide continuous monitoring, even in the event of a power failure.
Now is also a good time to restock or replace your first aid kit. Because while a clean home is nice, a safe, prepared home is essential.
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