The Ultimate Seasonal Cleaning Checklist
by Kimberly Tronic
After a long cold winter, the sight of April showers and blooming flowers ushers in a welcome change: springtime. And if you’re like most people, one daunting task looms on the calendar: spring cleaning. But this post-winter tidying marathon, most likely met with groans and unwilling participants, doesn’t need to cause headaches. In fact, you can lessen the workload by spreading out the annual cleaning routine throughout the year.
As the seasons change, our habits and behaviors follow suit. We spend different amounts of time in different parts of the house, and the easiest way to stay on top of major cleaning tasks is simple: stick to a schedule. Your weekly (or daily) household chores play their part in maintaining a neat living space, but the importance of a good deep clean goes beyond the satisfaction of seeing your reflection in shiny stainless steel.
Over time, surfaces can accrue dust, grease, bacteria, dirt, pet dander and dead skin cells that surface cleaning can’t eradicate. And dust mites love to feast on these indoor allergens, which can make everyone miserable. By adopting a seasonal deep cleaning schedule, you can rest easier knowing you rolled up your sleeves and tackled the mess at its very core.
To keep things efficient, keep a checklist and kick off each season by ticking off items on your new To Do list.
Spring Cleaning
As you swap out fleece-lined parkas for breathable cotton tees (and your pets shed their puffy winter coats), an unpleasant harbinger of spring emerges: pollen. Cue the allergies and all they entail. While you can’t control nature, you can do the following to minimize your exposure. And with all the time spent indoors during the last few months, you’ll want to blast away the wintertime buildup.
- Move lightweight clothes to the front of closets
- Replace furnace filter
- Remove ashes from fireplace
- Wipe down crown moldings and baseboards
- Wipe down ceiling fans
- Dust lampshades
- Clean grill
- Clean couches and rugs with an allergen vacuum like the RAYCOP RN
Summer Cleaning
Hello, sunshine. Longer days and brighter skies translate to beach trips, bike rides, hiking and picnics. The surge in outdoor activities requires sunscreen, mosquito repellent and products that keep our skin and bodies protected. More perspiration, more sand and more of nature’s elements also mean more focus on the bathroom.
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Purge and organize bathroom drawers and medicine cabinets
- Get rid of old or unused products
- Dust all surfaces
- Stock your most-used products up front
- Scrub shower and tub
- Scrub and disinfect toilet
- Mop bathroom floor
- Disinfect toothbrush holders
- Wipe down faucets
- Wash windows (inside and out)
- Change air conditioning filters
- Clean drapes: Remove dust on delicate fabrics with a vacuum such as RAYCOP Lite
- Power wash deck and patio
- Trim shrubbery
Fall Cleaning
Back on the menu: sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and colorful leaves. Daytime cookouts are slowing down, so the kitchen gets busier. Autumn is prime time for mud and dirt, and you may discover a surprising amount of dust from leaving the windows open on warm summer nights — even more reason to roll with an allergen vacuum that comes complete with a HEPA filter. The holidays will be here before you know it, so if you stay prepared, you won’t have to get ready at the last minute.
- Reduce clutter in fridge and freezer: Get rid of old foods or anything you won’t use to make room for upcoming festive meals
- Wipe down fridge doors and drawers
- Organize kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Scrub inside of stove for better baking and cooking
- Dust bookshelves, tables, picture frames and ceiling fans
- Change bedding: Bring in a toastier comforter and sheets
- Clean mattresses: Remove germs, dust and bacteria with an allergen vacuum
Winter Cleaning
If only we could hibernate through the crisp temperatures. Blankets and jackets now reside at the forefront of your closets, and nothing feels better than cozying up on the couch with cocoa and a fresh Netflix series. To stay in stride with winter’s demands, it’s less about cleaning and more about preparation.
- Move jackets, hats, mittens and scarves to the front of closets
- Store shovels and ice scrapers in easily accessible area
- Lay down waterproof mats by doorways/entryways for wet shoes and boots
- Clean dryer vents
- Wipe down door handles, light switches, TV remotes, gaming consoles and electronics: Cold season is upon us!
We know — it’s more fun to make a mess than clean one. But you no longer have to dread springtime tidying. By nudging the schedule from once a year to once a quarter, deep cleaning the house can become a rewarding experience that goes from “bore” to “satisfying chore” and lets you take ownership of your space.
Kimberly Tronic is an author, copywriter and content creator. She enjoys coffee, cleaning her apartment, cats, more coffee and nibbling on pencils.