Spring Cleaning Checklist

Updated 2024

Spring has finally arrived! Few things are more refreshing than opening the windows to let that fresh new air in after being closed up for months. The world is bursting with new life, and what better time to undertake that deep cleaning project now that the days are getting longer?

If you’re selling your home, scrubbing from top to bottom can even add real, tangible value to your bottom line. Even if you’re not, a sparkling clean house will help you enjoy this long-awaited season all the more.

If you need a boost to make things easier, we have put together an extensive checklist to help you stay on track. To start, you’ll need some boxes so you can sort which items you will hold on to and what you will discard or donate. You can tackle it all at once or take it day by day as a 31-day spring challenge. With a little perseverance, you can transform your space and maintain the momentum throughout the remainder of the year!

Kitchen

The kitchen is often the centre of activity in the home. It’s where friends and family gather, and it’s easy to spend hours creating your favourite recipes or even inventing new dishes from scratch. The amount of use your kitchen gets can also result in the accumulation of a lot of clutter over time. Getting everything clean and organized could take more time and dedication than the rest of your house combined. However, the extra effort is well worth it as it allows you to enjoy the heart of your home even more!

Are you getting ready to sell your home? The resources below will help you get results:

1. Clear off Counters:

Start by clearing off all countertops and making careful decisions about what you will keep. As an added bonus, a clear countertop makes a beautiful backdrop for that spring bouquet!

2. Expired Food Elimination

Did you purchase a spice mix six years ago that you never got around to using? Small, packaged food items like that can get pushed to the back of the pantry or to the bottom of a drawer, never to see the light of day.

The same thing can happen with sauces and preserves in your fridge and packaged foods in the freezer. Your spring cleaning checklist is your chance to get rid of those items you will never get around to eating. Your stomach will thank you, and you’ll free up so much space it’s like living in a bigger home. Either tackle it all at once or take each drawer or shelf day by day.

3. Wipe Down & Disinfect

It’s easy to miss the amount of dust and grime that can gradually accumulate on those surfaces you rarely think about. It’s a good reason to add cleaning and disinfecting the exterior and interior of all appliances to your checklist.

After you’ve disposed of all unused items from your fridge, be sure to sanitize the shelves and crisper drawers. Tip: Use placemats in the fridge to make it easier to clean next time!
You can easily clean your dishwasher by running it on empty with a bowl of vinegar on the bottom.
Your ceiling, walls, countertops, backsplash, and baseboards could also be wiped down from time to time. Start from the top and work your way down so you get all of the dirt that may fall as you clean.

Living Room

Once your kitchen is gleaming, cleaning the rest of your house will seem easier by comparison! Next, let’s tackle your living room.

Depending on how much you use this space, a good dusting will go a long way. Once again, start from the top down and wipe the ceiling, any ceiling fans, blinds, media stands, end tables, and other furniture. Using a pillowcase over your hand will help you cover more ground quickly. And using Q-tips will help you clean those hard-to-reach places.
Washing all of your windows will enhance the natural light throughout your home. Nothing beats a streak-free view of the world outside.
In addition, you may want to rent an upholstery cleaner for your sofa and loveseat or bring in a professional to make your furniture appear brand new.
If you have carpets, be sure to vacuum them thoroughly and have them professionally cleaned if necessary.
Lastly, enhance the cleanliness of your living room by creating a system that makes it easy to keep things tidy and organized. Shelves and coffee tables should be clear, with designated places for remotes, video game controllers, and chargers.

Bedrooms

Your bedrooms aren’t as predominant as the rest of your house most of the time. However, if you plan to sell, buyers are very preoccupied with the condition of the sleeping areas, especially the primary bedroom. The following checklist will help you clean and organize to impress:

Wash all of your bedding, including any pillowcases and decorative shams. Tip: Make sure you remember to clean the lint from your dryer!
As with the kitchen, wipe down the ceiling, walls, light fixtures, and baseboards from the top down. If there are carpets, be sure to give them a good vacuum.
Wash the windows and ensure the dressers, nightstands, and closets are well organized. Spring is also a good time to donate any unused clothing or other items!

Bathroom

Next to the kitchen, buyers are very focused on the condition of your bathrooms. Fortunately, it’s an easy room to scrub and shine. Grab some cleaning supplies and a pair of gloves, and let’s get to work:

Do a deep clean of the toilet, sink, and around the bathtub and shower. Pay particular attention to the faucets. A scrubbing sponge can help remove any caked-on soap residue, but be careful not to damage the finish.
Wash all towels, linens, bathmats, and even the shower curtain. There is no need to place the latter in the dryer; just hang it immediately after the wash cycle.
Organize and declutter all shelves, drawers, and the area under the sink. Toss out expired products, items you no longer use, and those that you’ve never even opened.

If buying a new home is on your agenda, the related reading below will get you off to a great start:

The Outside

You’ve worked hard to ensure each room in your house sparkles and shines from top to bottom. However, it’s important not to forget the outside. With warm, beautiful weather on the way, you’ll want to make sure the outside of your home is just as inviting as the inside.

Wash the exterior of all windows and rinse removable window screens.
Powerwash porches, decks, and exterior walls.
Organize and arrange all tools and hardware. An attractive backyard storage bin works if you don’t have a garage or shed.
Hang equipment like bikes on hockey nets on walls or store in a shed.
Trim trees and shrubs or remove them if necessary.
Take a walk around your house to see if there are any broken bricks or siding that need to be repaired.
Add some decorative planters or a garden to enhance the effect.

Following this checklist will help you with whatever your goals are, whether selling your home or maximizing your own enjoyment. The hard part is getting started, but this extensive guide will help. Happy cleaning!

Are you ready to start selling your home in Guelph or the Tri-Cities? Ask us anything today. Reach out to info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 to take the next step.