Spring Cleaning: A Room-by-Room Guide
KITCHEN & DINING ROOM
Wash area rugs.
Throw them into the washing machine (or laundry room, if you’re backlogged).
Clean refrigerator and freezer.
This one seems daunting, so let’s just get it out of the way first thing. Empty everything into a cooler before you clean the shelves with soap (or baking soda) and water. Rinse and let dry as you wipe down the doors’ rubber sealing. Put food back.
Clean stovetop, oven, and microwave.
Remove any removable parts from the stovetop, then scrub with soapy steel wool pads. For the oven’s interior, remove racks then use oven cleaner, a scrubbing sponge, and the cleaning timer. Clean oven racks with soap and water.
Clean the microwave interior with water and lemon juice; caked-on stains can be loosened by microwaving a bowl of lemon juice and water, then wipe off those stains. Wipe all appliance outside surfaces with cleaner.
Wash window treatments and the insides of all windows.
Vacuum all walls, ceilings, and ceiling fans. Dust and polish ceiling fans after vacuuming away the major dust.
Clean out cabinets and drawers.
Emptying one at a time, vacuum out drawers and cupboards (especially the utensil drawer and pantry), then wipe down the inside of each.Check contents of each cupboard before you re-load the shelves; use your trash can freely for expired or unwanted food items.
Wash cabinet outsides and surfaces.
Warm water and some dishwashing liquid will do the trick for most kitchen surfaces. Polish up those cabinet knobs and pulls. Don’t forget to hit that elusive top of the fridge!
Wipe down dining room furniture.
Attack your table and chairs with some serious elbow grease – tops, legs, and backs.
Clean kitchen sink.
Save this one for near the end of your kitchen cleaning, so it will actually sparkle for a few minutes longer.
Clean the floors.
Depending on your floor, this might involve vacuuming carpets, sweeping, and mopping in the kitchen and dining room.
You’re not done quite yet, but there’s light at the end of the spring-cleaning tunnel because the hardest part is done! Hang in there.