Spring cleaning in 5 easy steps

Cleaning products and supplies to get the job done

You’ll need to grab some essentials to properly dive into the much talked about spring cleaning. Wearing rubber gloves is a must to protect your hands while handling heavy-duty and chemical products. Then whip out the microfibre cloths and sponges, your best bet to thoroughly clean plenty of surfaces. Last, but not least, don’t forget the vacuum cleaner and a mop suited to your type of flooring (hardwood, ceramic, etc.).

Then you’re going to need whatever cleaning products you use on windows, and in the kitchen, bathroom and other areas. A water boiler could also come in handy if you make your own cleaning products. Now you’ve got everything you need to rise to the challenge and give your abode the thorough cleaning it deserves. Follow these five major steps to get ‘er done.

1. Put away your winter gear 

Welcoming a new season is a period of transition and is the time to put away things you won’t use until it gets cold again. Go through all your winter gear and set aside anything you want to keep. Then decide where and how you want to store everything, such as:  

• Coats and jackets 

• Boots 

• Snow pants 

• Neck warmers 

• Balaclavas 

• Scarves 

• Toques 

• Hats 

• Earmuffs 

• Headbands 

• Mitts 

• Gloves 

• Wool socks 

• Sweaters 

• Knitwear 

Now you get to put your packing method into practice. Store your winter clothes and boots in a closet or the cedar chest waiting to be refilled. Pack up all your winter accessories, too! You could always store them in clear bins. Take things to the next level by placing cotton covers over the bins to keep out the damp away from your favourite cold weather clothes.

Now that you've taken care of all your winter clothing, it's time to tackle the garage. Start by putting away all your snow removal equipment. Make room for gardening tools—hang them up on the wall if there's space. The easier it is to get to your tools, the more motivated you'll be to use them, and perhaps even create your own sprout garden.

2. Get rid of what you no longer need  

Now that spring is here, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor items you won't be using again for a while. Take advantage of the change of seasons to sort and purge. Let's go for a good decluttering session. Go over these tips again to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.  

Outdoors 

• Take down your temporary car shelter if you put one up 

• Uncover your shrubs  

• Remove any weatherproofing 

 Indoors 

• Throw out expired medicine and beauty products 

• Decide which clothes you want to sell or donate 

• Go through your towels and sheets to see which ones you want to keep 

• Throw out any food that's been sitting in your pantry too long 

• Declutter your desk and go through your papers—a tidy workspace is always a good thing! Take the opportunity to transform your space to multiply your productivity.

3. Make a cleaning checklist

Cleaning your whole house from top to bottom can be a big job. Having a checklist will make things easier. Decide what needs to be done for each room. Set realistic goals about how you’ll spend your time. Start by washing doors, windows, carpets, curtains, and walls. Complete your tour with a good dusting session and the Banish the dust! playlist, available on Spotify and Apple Music.

EspaceProprio Tip Go green by using eco-friendly cleaning products that you've bought or made yourself.  

4. Focus on places that often get overlooked 

Clean all the nooks and crannies. Wipe down pantry shelves, and the back and inside of your stove and fridge to make them sparkle. Move large furniture so you can vacuum and mop underneath.  

5. Check to see what needs to be replaced  

As the Beatles sang in 1969, “Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo…”  The new season is a great time to take stock of what's old and needs to be replaced. Replace burned-out light bulbs and change air filters. Remember to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and garage door openers. 

Room-by-room spring cleaning

Are you one of those people who can’t wait for spring to arrive to start this annual cleaning ritual? Or maybe not. Whether avid or reluctant, it’s always a good idea to go room by room.

And there’s no better place to start than in the bathroom, where cleanliness and order are essential to keeping the space smelling fresh and welcoming on the daily!

Bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom is a proper job in its own right, especially if you have a glass shower. We’ve got tips to share that will surely do the trick:

Tips for cleaning shower glass

 Consult this list to help you get organized:

Checklist

• Declutter the room: store beauty products, unplug any electrical devices, empty the trash and remove any dirty towels.

• Spray your cleaning product on areas that need cleaning (shower, sink, bathtub), let sit for a while and then wipe off – always following the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Clean inside drawers and cabinets with a damp cloth.

• Check the expiry date of beauty products and any medications.

• Clean mirrors and glass surfaces with a microfibre cloth.

• Scrub the toilet with a bowl brush.

• Mop the floor.

• Get inspired by new trends and replace bathroom accessories and decorations.

Kitchen

Moving on to the kitchen where another round of chores awaits! Regard it as a chance to organize and refresh your culinary space to get good and ready for the months ahead. Check off each task once completed.

Checklist

• Tidy up your counters.

• Go through the pantry and give the inside a good wipe. Then repeat with kitchen cabinets and drawers.

• Toss expired spices.

• Remove everything from the fridge, make sure to check freshness and expiry dates.

• Clean fridge shelves, bins and overall interior with soapy water.

• Remove frost from the freezer and chuck any older foods that appear to have freezer burn.

• Wash oven racks with hot water and dish soap, then replace any disposable covers (stove burner covers, oven guards).

• Use a gentle cleaner to clean stove burners.

• Clean the oven door with a baking soda-vinegar solution.

• Make the sink sparkle with a special solution and let it fully dry to avoid any streaks.

• Vacuum or mop the kitchen floor.

Living room

Next stop, the living room! Get rid of any clutter and meticulously clean from top to bottom to create a welcoming and comforting environment for you and your loved ones.

Checklist

• Declutter this space by picking up any unnecessary items that don’t need to be there (games not being played, documents that need to be filed or electronic devices gathering dust).

• Arrange knick knacks and cushions as you go to make it easier to clean all surfaces.

• Sort through every drawer in the room and remove outdated items.

• Use a microfibre cloth to dust everything in sight: light fixtures, door frames, shelves, furniture and baseboards.

• Consider dusting lamps, radiators, mirrors and picture frames.

• Clean and disinfect all hard surfaces in the room.

• Wash windows to let the spring light shine in.

• Vacuum couches, armchairs and the floor.  

Bedrooms

The final stop on your cleaning journey takes you to the inner sanctums of the home: the bedrooms.

Checklist

• Store loose items to make it easier to deep clean surfaces.

• Sort through the contents of cupboards and dresser drawers.

• Use a soft cloth to dust light fixtures, shelves, tables, couches, baseboards, door handles, etc.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces.

• Wash windows, if required. No more fingerprints!

• Final vacuum and mop!

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