7 Spring Cleaning Chores to Remember

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed or not, but spring is right around the corner! Yay! I’m ready for warm sunshine and flowers, and for my kids to play outside (PLEASE!).

With spring right around the corner, let’s get a head start on spring cleaning. I don’t know about you but when spring does arrive, we are outside working in the garden or playing in the yard which basically kills any desire to stay inside and clean. Boo.

Before we dive in, I want to encourage you to make sure your cleaning closet is organized. I can help you do this in 30 minutes (or less)! Your spring cleaning will run so much more smoothly when you are organized from the beginning.

So let’s go ahead and get spring cleaning out of the way kick spring cleaning into gear. Some of the chores on my list are things you might need to do more than once a year, but they are especially good to do during your big spring cleaning push to get everything in your home up to par.

We’ll start with the interior, because let’s be honest – once we move outside we will likely stay there. Know that these tips are meant to go along with more traditional cleaning practices (i.e. dusting the house, cleaning the bathrooms, scrubbing the floors, etc).

Whatever spring cleaning looks like for you, make sure these 7 chores are included:

1. Run cleaning cycles on dishwasher and washing machine

Let’s start here because you can knock out other chores while these cycles are running. While I definitely recommend running these cleaning cycles on your appliances more than once a year, many people don’t even do it this often. I use Affresh cleaning tablets for my washing machine and Affresh Dishwasher Tablets for my dishwasher.

Why this is important-

Running cleaning cycles has several benefits:

1. It keeps build up from food, dirt, and even detergent out of your drainage pipes so that water flows as it should.
2. It eliminates odors (especially in the washing machine) that can attach themselves to your clothes and dishes.
3. Cleaning cycles help keep mold and mildew from taking up permanent residence in your appliances. So gross.

2. Dust light fixtures

You’ll want to do this towards the beginning of your spring cleaning to avoid wiping, sweeping, and/or vacuuming twice. No reason to do more work than necessary. Swiffer dusters are perfect for dusting light fixtures because the wand has extension settings to lengthen the duster.

Depending on your ceiling and light fixture heights you may need to use a ladder to adequately dust. Be careful up there!

Why this is important-

Dusting the light fixtures eliminates cob webs that rudely stretch themselves from light fixtures to your walls. Gross, right? You would be surprised at how quickly this happens, which is why regularly dusting the light fixtures is a good idea.

3. Change air filters

This should really be done at least monthly, but again, some people forget. That’s okay! Now is the perfect time to change out all air filters. You can purchase new filters online or at any home improvement store.

Why this is important-

The purpose of an air filter is pretty straightforward: it filters your air as it circulates through your home. This includes dust, allergens, and even viruses and bacteria if you have the right kind of filter. Keeping air filters changed regularly means less dust is floating around, and that means less work for you.

4. Clean fireplace

I don’t know about you, but where we live the beginning of spring means that we are done with our fireplace for the season. Now is a great time to clean out all ashes, close the damper and put your fireplace tools away for the season.

Why this is important-

Ashes stink, for starters. They also stir up allergies, and can contribute to a dusty home. The fewer allergens you have floating around, the better. Getting the ashes cleaned out of your fireplace eliminates the opportunity for unpleasant odor, and gets your fireplace ready for next winter.

5. Vacuum under couches and chairs

If this isn’t something you regularly do, now is the time to evict those dust bunnies and vacuum underneath your couches and chairs while you’re vacuuming the rest of your house. If you can get underneath beds with a vacuum attachment that’s even better!

Why this is important-

Dust hiding under the couch is an allergy attack waiting to happen. Any time this dust is kicked up by someone’s feet, a toy, or a little hand reaching to grab something it makes a mess and begins a sneeze fest (at least at our house it does).

6. Clean behind the fridge, washer and dryer

By now your cleaning cycles are likely finished and you can move the washer and dryer. Use a vacuum hose with the brush attachment to reach behind and vacuum dust, dirt, and lint that has no doubt fallen behind your appliances.

The same goes for the fridge – you would probably be shocked to know how much dust ends up behind it, and how much food gets pushed under it from the front. I know it always surprises me, especially because I don’t even have toddlers dropping food all the time.

For the record, this is a chore that your kids can help with, too! It may slow the process down a little, but it’s a great way to teach your kids about helping as well as what it means to maintain a home.

Why this is important-

You may be wondering why you should even bother with this, since you can’t see it. Well, let me tell you.

In the last 13 years, I have moved about 3,000 times, and when everything is out of the house I am always appalled at how much junk was behind and underneath our big appliances. Don’t judge. Just know that when you move your fridge and want to die, you’re not alone. I promise.

Dust and lint can damage your appliances should they make their way into the fans and filters of the motor. Cleaning behind them is a part of maintaining those appliances and avoiding unnecessary damage to them.

7. Take down winter decor and break out the spring decor!

And now for my most favorite “chore,” take your winter decor down and store it for next year. Change out your winter floral arrangements and wreaths. Say goodbye to snowmen, pine wreaths and berry stems, and say hello to eucalyptus wreaths, cotton stems, and bright colors.

Why this is important-

We are moving on to a new season, so let’s change up our decor to reflect that! Even if you don’t go all out with winter decor, it’s still fun to brighten things up with spring inspired decor.

 

You are now well on your way to having the inside of your home ready for spring! Soon, I will give you spring cleaning tips for the exterior of your home.

What “special” spring cleaning chores do you add to your list each year?

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