Spring Cleaning: A Room-by-Room Guide
BATHROOM.
Wash all rugs.
Vacuum, then throw all area rugs into the washing machine first thing. The key to efficiency here is simultaneous cleaning, so you’re not waiting around for anything.
Spray sink, tub, shower, toilet, and floor.
With a heavy duty cleanser, spray these surfaces. Let this sit and soak for 10-20 minutes as you move on to the next item on this checklist. Be careful of the slippery floor; if it’s safer to spray the floor right before you clean the glass, do that.
De-junk medicine cabinet.
Toss all expired medications and cosmetics. Take these directly to the outside garbage can if children or pets are around. Organize what’s left; remember to use your three labeled boxes when you come across items that don’t belong in the medicine cabinet.
Clean walls and ceiling.
Use your vacuum’s brush attachment for the corners and edges, vacuum the walls, then wipe them down with all-purpose cleaner.Remember: it’s not the most glamorous chore, but washing the walls once or twice a year will save you time in the long run.
Wash window treatments.
If they’re machine washable, make a pile in the laundry room for window treatments. If they’re dry clean only, start a stack for the dry cleaner’s. If they’re blinds, dust and wipe down with cleanser.
Clean glass.
Wash the bathroom mirrors and insides of the windows. Microfiber cloths and/or old newspapers wadded up are an excellent choice for this, as they don’t leave lint.
Scrub sink, tub, shower, and toilet.
Now that the cleanser has been working on cutting the grime and germs, scrub everything down. Doing one thing at a time, such as the shower, start from top (e.g., showerhead) to bottom (shower floor), then move onto the toilet, cleaning from top to bottom.
Mop floor.
You’ve already sprayed the floor, and the cleanser has been working hard as you’ve been cleaning, so use your water-soaked mop to rinse the floors.
Pile rags in laundry room.
Wash all cleaning rags, especially the bathroom and kitchen ones, in very hot water. Bleach recommended, if your rags can take it.
Congratulations! You’re done with your first room!