Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring cleaning for a lot of home-owners can sometimes seem like a monumental undertaking, so we’ve come up with a thorough checklist to help you conquer your fears as well as those dust bunnies.

You can do as much or as little as you like, and we’ve organized in a way that’s in bite sized pieces to make it more manageable for households who would rather take it in stride. We’re happy to help out just call us at (905) 472-6042.

If you’re parents with kids, you can make it more fun by getting them involved, and even a reward at the end to make sure they’ll do a good job. It’ll be good life lessons to set them up to maintain their own places in future.

In any case, here’s our Home Spring Cleaning checklist:

It’s easier to spring clean if there are clean flat uncovered spaces and less volume overall.

You will likely clean more often as it is an easy swipe, and make spring cleaning easier as there is less to tackle in the main heavy use locations.

First Thoughts:

• Consider Decluttering – organizing clutter into storage boxes or shelving is just that – still clutter, just on a shelf or in a box.
• Finding the floor – seriously – for some people this is where to start, and that’s OK. One step at a time. We all start somewhere. See more later in the article.
• Manageable Sections – Breaking Spring Cleaning down to more manageable sections – room by room (or further divide by tasks in the room so many per day/ cleaning episode.
• Addressing a “Hot Zone:” – ie: Guest bedroom closet, for example or Sofa Table, messy kitchen corner – hot spots that are either dumping zones or clutter magnets. Clearing off the surfaces one day can make cleaning so much easier the next.
• Do Some / Hire Some: If for whatever reason it all seems to much, or portions of it seem too much – there is always the option sooner or later on to call in for tactical reinforcements.

Spring Cleaning Checklist:

Click here for printable version in PDF

Many people like to start cleaning from the ceiling down – such that as dust falls, it doesn’t fall on what was just cleaned.

Interior – Every Room

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Wash Baseboards, door ceilings, window sills, doors, and walls
• Dust blinds
• Wash / vacuum window treatments (drapes, etc.).
• Wash Windows – inside and out
• Dust and/or vacuum light fixtures and lamp shades.
• Vacuum and wipe vents and cool air returns

Entryway

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Hang jackets (box up previous seasons jackets, mittens, scarves)
• Organize shoes (box up previous season’s boots etc)
• Wipe walls (or use pole duster depending on how marked up the walls are)
• Clean exterior door outside and inside
• Clean doormat – shake out dust (outside) etc.
• Sweep & Mop floors
• Wipe baseboards

Kitchen

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Dust top of high surfaces including fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets
• Wipe walls
• Clean stovetop
• Clean oven
• Clean microwave
• Clean dishwasher
• Clean refrigerator (if safe vacuum behind the unit as well, vacuum coils)
• Wipe drawers and shelves in refrigerator and freezer and the seal
• Defrost freezer, clean the seal
• Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer
• Clear countertops (or move small appliances to the side and wipe then replace)
• Degrease cabinet doors and sink backsplash
• Deodorize and degrease the kitchen drain
• Remove items from cabinets/pantry clean one shelf at a time and replace items
• Wash dish rags and clean sponges
• Wash Windows / clean window sills
• Shake out dust or dirt from floor mats
• Mop floors
• Wipe baseboards

Dining Room

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Dust china in china cabinet
• Dust and polish furniture
• Vacuum / spot clean chair cushions
• Wipe walls
• Clean light fixture
• Dust blinds
• Dust curtain rods
• Clean window sills
• Clean or vacuum curtains
• Wash windows
• Mop or vacuum floor
• Wipe baseboards
• Shampoo rugs or carpet
• Launder and press table linens

Bathroom

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Wipe walls
• Discard expired personal care products and makeup
• Return old or no longer needed medications to a drop-off site (pharmacies in Ontario will take no questions asked)
• Do NOT flush old medications – hazardous to marine life and ecosystem, public waterways, drinking water
• Clean makeup brushes
• Clean vanity
• Wipe mirror
• Clean & disinfect tub and shower
• Clean showerhead
• Scrub tile grout and shampoo/soap nooks or holders
• Wash and/or replace shower liners and shower curtains
• Wash bathmats
• Clean toilet (top of tank, tank, lid, seat, rim, bowl inside, bowl outside, base of toilet, handle)
• Clean hardware
• Wash window and sill if any
• Sweep floors
• Mop floors
• Wipe baseboards
• Dust and replace decorative items (edit out some if too many)

Laundry Room

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Wipe walls
• Clean washing machine (natural citric acid based cleaner)
• Clean clothes dryer vent at the machine and exterior if accessible (and/or hire professional)
• Clean lint trap
• Organize laundry supplies
• Wash window / clean window sill if any
• Wipe baseboards
• Mop floors

Bedrooms

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Dust/polish furniture
• Wash bedding including sheets, pillows, duvets and bed skirts
• Flip Mattress – if using pillow top, rotate mattress
• Dust blinds
• Dust curtain rods
• Clean window sills
• Wash windows
• Clean or vacuum curtains
• Shampoo rugs or carpets (or use dry powder or baking soda and vacuum)
• Donate unused clothing
• Organize closets
• Purge anything stored under bed no longer needed
• Mop or vacuum floors
• Wipe baseboards

Living Room

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Dust / vacuum / clean lamp shades
• Dust blinds
• Dust curtain rods
• Clean window sills
• Wash windows
• Clean or vacuum curtains
• Clean ceiling fans
• Dust/polish furniture & fixtures
• Wash slipcovers
• Wash blankets and throw pillows (steam)
• Vacuum sofa and chairs
• Dust electronics
• Dust and clean decor / knickknacks (maybe edit as well)
• Sanitize remote controls
• Mop or vacuum floors
• Shampoo rugs or carpets
• Dust and wash mirrors, picture frames
• Vacuum and shampoo carpets – mop and wax if necessary

Kids’ Playroom

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Wash / sanitize plastic toys with soap and water
• Wash stuffed animals and soft toys
• Donate unused / lightly used toys
• Organize toys and play areas
• Shampoo rugs or carpets
• Mop or vacuum floors
• Wash baseboards

Office

• Remove cobwebs from ceiling – a pole duster works well for this
• Dust top of the door frames and the top of the door itself
• Recycle unneeded paperwork / purge clutter on office desk
• Dust and polish desk and furniture
• Dust bookshelf
• Dust electronics
• Sanitize keyboard and mouse
• Wash window, clean sill if any

Garage

• Declutter tools, sporting equipment and toys
• Open up garage door to air out the space
• Remove cobwebs from ceiling
• Wipe down walls
• Sweep floor
• Dust / Wipe down garage door interior
• Wash garage door exterior
• Clean garage door frame
• Replace batteries in garage door openers
• Clean windows / sills

Throughout the House

• Test and replace smoke alarm / co2 detector batteries etc
• Replace air filters as needed – portable units
• Clean air vents/registers/furnace filters
• Check batteries in appliances such as gas stoves
• Clean light fixtures
• Replace light bulbs as needed
• Sanitize door handles
• Sanitize light switches
• Check all electronics, cords are untangled and everything is plugged into a surge protector
• Check expiration date on fire extinguisher
• Store all winter items, clothes, and decorations
• Cold room or storage room – clean, deodorize, check fabrics, clothing or natural fibers for any evidence of mold or mildew; declutter

Exterior

• Sweep front porch and back deck
• Shake out mats
• Turn outside water tap mains on – if turned off for winter re: freezing
• Clean up lawn debris and leaves
• Trim dead foliage
• Do an outside visual (from ground level) of shingles, eves troughs, sheds, exterior see if any damage or leaks walls windows foundation, heaving of patio stones/walkways/driveway etc.
• Make notes of spring summer repairs such as painting/fixing etc.
• Clean and sharpen lawn mower blades (or call “the tech”)
• Call for gutter cleaning or if you have a tool – check the leaves /debris; or order gutter guards
• Storage Shed – reorganize, remove any critter nests, clean and sharpen tools, service equipment

Decluttering / Editing:

Start with the obvious:

 – essentially, all the easy decisions:

• empty water bottles, cans, recyclables, garbage (wrappers), boxes, grocery bags all over the house
• Try room by room; or closet by closet; or corner by corner, or the stuff on a chair or appliance (fridge/freezer)
• Sort and purge:
  • over/under sized clothing
  • stale dated food and pantry items
• Tackling one section a day – even the smallest section, consistently can lead to very satisfactory results
• Once you see progress you will likely want to keep going

Re-Homing Items:

Did your lifestyle change? Kids older or moved out? Stuff from the old place? “Inherited” your parents stuff? Moving? Downsizing?

Decluttering can be much easier if places are chosen or set up in advance of where these gently used items can find a new home – also diverting from landfill is an awesome feeling.

Thrift Stores:

• Many give proceeds or items to the marginalized – this is a nice way of diverting from landfill, helping out another local person by them finding something a great price and also helping the community indirectly.
• Different thrift stores whether independently owned or box chain take different items – some take furniture, others do not; some take tech, some do not; some focus on fashion, other focus on decore. Some take electronic recycling, others do not.
• If getting it all to one place at one time is the most important to you, ie “getting it out of the house” then Thrift Stores can be a good option. Some such as Mission Thrift Stores will send a truck to your home to pickup upon request (not every location, but many). Other smaller stores will send a truck with a small fee to cover the transportation cost ie: $25. But it does save lugging!

Recycling Centers (within Community Landfill):

Many Ontario Landfills have a recycling center – often outside of the weigh scale to make things faster – things such as cardboard, metal, hazardous waste (paint, batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs etc), electronic recycling and more.

Foodbank:

• Excess food items that no longer fit your taste profile or for other reasons (that case of crackers) – if they are not expired they can be donated to the food bank
• Even cat food that your cat loved until you bought a case of it, and then it decided it wasn’t going to eat it anymore, is often most welcome at the food bank or animal shelters
• Many pet stores will take unopened cat/dog food donations and unused or clean toys and cat/dog beds on behalf of the shelter
• There are often carts or barrels at the exit of the grocery store for foodbank donation
• Paper products welcome at foodbanks – paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue, these are often the most sought-after items

Pet Extras: Shelters and Wildlife Rescues:

• Will often take overstock of food, bowls, old bath towels, linens, bed sheets, lightly used dog beds, cat beds, pet toys, etc
• Many pet stores, such as Pet Value will take these in as donations in a crate at the front of the store
• Or lookup on Facebook for independent family owned pet stores or wildlife rescues such as Procyon Wildlife near Bradford, Ontario or Hobo Haven Rescue in St Jacobs (via Creature Comforts Pet Supply)
• We’re sure there are some near you 😊 with a quick online search.

Women’s Shelters / Homeless Shelters:

• These havens usually need the most essential to life items: Unopened soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos, feminine supplies, razers, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, mattresses, diapers, kitchenware – cutlery, plates, glasses, cups, dishes, bath towels, face cloths
• many just escape with the clothes on their back and kids in hand – and need to restart life from scratch
• Some will also take beds/bedding/mattresses in good condition (sometimes Goodwill shelters will take these too)

Your Local Community:

• We sometimes don’t realize the people in our own sphere of communication could do with a few things… everyone is making the dollars stretch from time to time, and we often don’t know this is the case.
• Listing an item for free to our own friends list on Instagram/Facebook/social platform/ church/hobby group/sports groups etc.
• Listing an item for free or cheap on community social groups – please do due diligence and street smarts to remain safe.
• Putting an item out at the end of the driveway for free or listing a price, where allowed. It’s amazing how many of our neighbours could do with a widget or two.
• Community metal recyclers – local places will often have the neighbourhood person to pickup old appliances
• The local appliance repair shop will often give new life to a stove we were no longer willing to invest in, and will give someone else a chance at purchasing an affordable appliance in the long run – in addition to diverting from landfill, this can be a great feeling. They will often pickup free too.

Moving / Downsizing / Estate Decluttering:

• This deserves an article all on its own due to sheer volume – as you know, however in addition to the above options – especially Thrift Store Pickup at Your Location Option
• Estate Auction Agencies – there are boutique agencies that handle the everyday household – you flag what you are willing to part with (ie sticky note), and they flag what they are willing to auction on your behalf – They then confirm which items, determine a minimum bidding price and haul the stuff to their warehouse to post online
• Listing items yourself for sale or free online (or enlist a family member)

Decluttering and Lifestyle Habits informational places:

Depending on your preferences – here is a variety:

• Hellen Buttigieg – weorganizeu.com –from Oakville, Ontario, TV Host, pragmatic yet gentle
• The minimalists: theminimalists.com – live meaningful lives with less philosophy
• The Fly Lady (Finally Loving Yourself) – flylady.net hand holding motherly type advice
• Facebook Groups such as: Declutter my home with Sarah Mueller down to earth yet friendly https://www.facebook.com/groups/decluttermyhome

What You Need – Spring Cleaning Supplies

Supplies / Cleaners:

Some people like to pull out all their cleaners and tools prior to the project

If you run out, on hand items such as baking soda and vinegar can save a trip to the store.

Boxes:

• Box 1: Donate/Sell. Anything you want to donate or sell goes into these boxes. If the items won’t fit into a box (e.g., a couch), then keep a running list of them.
• Box 2: Repair. While you’re cleaning and decluttering, you may come across items that need repairs, put it in the box- be realistic about whether it is worth repairing
• Box 3: Put-Away Box. Say you’re cleaning out a drawer in your kitchen and you find receipts. Add them temporarily to a put-away box to not get sidetracked from your original task
• Box 4: Garbage / Recycling – things that just need to leave the space once and for all

Keep a pen and paper handy or make a list on your phone during the spring cleaning process for ideas that pop up along the way. Things you wanted to do, or organize (ie photos); people you wanted to contact, fixtures that need repair or regrouting, etc.

We hope this list helps. If you need a hand with any or all of your spring cleaning, including decluttering – or if a family member or loved one needs a hand, we are here for you, and them. Call us at (905) 472-6042!

About Us: Rapid Home Service

As a full-service residential and commercial cleaning company, our staff is fully bonded and insured. We are happy to present our certification of insurance upon your request.

• We customize our services on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or project-by-project basis.
• We don’t require contracts to work with you
• We are simply glad to provide you with an in-home estimate specifically tailored to your needs

Service Areas:

Toronto  Ajax  Richmond Hill  Aurora  Stouffville  North York  Scarborough  Markham  Pickering

Types of Facilities:

Residential / Home Cleaning: Detached, Semi, Condo, Apartment, Townhouse

Commercial / Office Cleaning:  Janitorial, Light or Deep Clean + Sanitizing: Daily, Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly Contact Us as each location is evaluated separately on its own merit. Rental Property Cleaning. Air BnB Cleaning. Chiropractors office, clinics, professional offices, real estate offices, lawyers offices, banks, financial office, insurance office, etc. Building not listed? Have multiple locations? Call us at (905) 472-6042.

Types of Services:

• Scheduled Cleaning
  • Weekly
  • BiWeekly
  • Monthly
  • or other custom cleaning schedule
• Move-in / Move-out cleaning
• Listing Your House For Sale Cleaning
• Spring Cleaning / Deep Cleaning
• Decluttering Help / Cleaning
• Estate Cleaning
• Air BnB Cleaning
• Vacation Home Cleaning
• Not listed above? Call us at (905) 472-6042