Motherhood Incorporated

Ah yes, spring cleaning. To some who love to clean, it can be their second Christmas. To everyone else, it’s a dreaded chore.

Spring cleaning is something that doesn’t necessarily need to be done in the springtime, or even just the spring. However, there are certain cleaning chores that should be addressed at least annually, and it’s usually good to do many of these during a time of year when you can open windows for fresh air, and do some outdoor chores as well.

We’ve listed some here to consider; a good suggestion is to read through this material while considering your own home, and making an actual list of the chores you want to accomplish during your spring cleaning. If necessary, break up this chore over the course of two days or two weekends so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Mattress and box springs. Your mattress and especially your box springs can collect dust and dirt. Use a vacuum cleaner hose and attachment and run them over both items.Refrigerator coils and underside. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and then, using your brush attachment, vacuum the dust from every crevice you can find. Detach the vent from the front and vacuum there, too. While the fridge is pulled out, clean the floor underneath it.

Air vents. Your air vents collect a lot of dust over the course of a year. Unscrew them from the wall or floor and vacuum when you can.Laundry room floor. Move your washer and dryer out from the wall and clean around and underneath. Wipe down both appliances.

Attic/basement. Both rooms probably need some attention when it comes to cobwebs. Also, take this opportunity to toss out anything you’re storing that you know you don’t need any longer – broken appliances you’re never going to fix, tools that are rusted or unusable, clothes you’ll never wear again, and so on. These types of things are simply cluttering up your home and creating even more dirt.Garage. The garage probably needs some attention when it comes to dirt that’s built up in corners. It’s a good idea to pull all your cars and move equipment – lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc. – out of the garage before cleaning rather than trying to work around them. Get rid of things you’re storing unnecessarily, including tools, sports equipment, and so on. After the garage is swept and shelves are washed, take the time to organize some things while putting them back. Group like with like – sporting goods in one corner, camping equipment in another, and so on. This makes things easier to find and maintain.

Closets. If you do your annual cleaning during the transition of a season, chances are you’re taking out some clothes or linens and preparing to store others. Take this time to dust out any corners of your closets. Toss out unused or expired medicines or other items from where you store your toiletries. Go through your clothes, and get rid of what you know you won’t wear. If they’re in good shape, donate them. Toss out the rest.Ceiling fans. The tops of these blades can get very dirty and dusty, especially ones located close to the kitchen, and especially if you have a smoker in the house. Use a long-handled duster, or pull a chair up to them and use a wet rag to sponge them off.

Corners. All the areas of your home that don’t get cleaned regularly – windowsills, entertainment centers, bar, bookcases, tops of shelves and cabinets, underneath beds, etc. – should be addressed during your spring cleaning.Your cleaning tools. Check your tools, including brooms, mops, scrub brushes, toilet brushes, and so on. Some should just automatically be tossed and replaced (the toilet brush, for example).

If you’re going to be spending hours and hours in your office, invest in the right furniture as well. Kitchen chairs don’t typically offer a lot of back support and can cause fatigue after just an hour or so.

Look for an office chair that is fully adjustable – height, back, armrest, everything. A good position for someone else is not going to automatically work for you. Getting a chair on wheels is also good, since you probably need to get up from your desk several times per day.

If you need to do work at your desk other than just be at the computer – taking order over the phone, writing things out, and so on – you need a desk that’s big enough to accommodate. A small computer cart won’t be enough.

Dust first. No one is going to go over your furniture with a white glove, so do a good job, but don’t worry about every speck. Check corners for cobwebs and address those also.

Vacuum the upper levels first and work your way down. Move furniture as you go and put it back before moving on – this too eliminates duplicate trips back and forth.

Do a thorough clean of the bathrooms every week. Your toilet and sink may need some touchups throughout the week, but they should be cleaned top to bottom at least once every week. Thoroughly clean the grout and caulk of the shower and do the shower doors as well. Take everything out of the cabinets and drawers and sponge them out. Shake out the rugs, or better yet, toss them into the wash.

Your kitchen should also be cleaned once per week. Take the drip pans from the stove burners and clean them thoroughly. If you use your oven frequently, clean the inside of it also. Give some attention to your refrigerator and freezer – discard old foods items, and sponge out the inside of the refrigerator, including vegetable drawers. Do a thorough mop of the floor.

If you do your cleaning every week without fail, it will be easier each time

Fold laundry and put it away immediately. Don’t let it sit in baskets for days or weeks. Remember, folding clothes doesn’t need to be an art form, they don’t need to look like what they do in clothing stores. Just make sure they’re neat and easy to find in their drawers – avoid trying to get the creases “just right,” or trying to make everything look pretty.

Use the right solutions, and let them do the work. If you spray down your bathtub with cleanser, let it sit for several minutes; this will eliminate some of the scrubbing you’ll need to do. When cleaning the inside of the oven, do the same – spray the cleanser and let it sit for as long as the label instructs.

Use a mop with a removable head (not a sponge mop) so that you can toss it in the washer and have a clean mop head every time.

Get clutter free. Never hesitate to toss things out! Old magazines, clothes you haven’t worn in years and know that you’ll never wear again, broken appliances you know you’ll never fix – they’re not adding anything to your life, are becoming a distraction, and just mean more work when it’s time to clean.

Use music to perk you up when it’s time to clean. Don’t choose those slow love songs; use something lively and upbeat.

Put all your cleaning supplies in a large bucket to take with you from room to room; this avoids the unnecessary trips back and forth to the laundry room or closet for supplies.

Get help! If there are others living and breathing in the house with you, get them to help. Assign chores, and rotate them. Make sure they’re age-appropriate; your six-year-old probably can’t handle scrubbing the bathtub and shouldn’t be cutting the grass, but can be taught to pick up toys and even dust certain areas. Older children can certainly do laundry, make beds, yard work, and so on.

Prevention is the key. If you don’t make a mess, you don’t have one to clean up. Use coasters, and leave your shoes at the door. If you have pets, give them a bath once a month and keep them in a designated area – don’t allow them on furniture or beds. Give your dog a mat or cushion to sleep on.

Try to put things where they belong right away so as to avoid handling objects twice and doing twice the work. For example, don’t pile mail on the table to look at later. Keep an “in box” for bills, etc., and toss the junk mail immediately. Resist the temptation to keep it around to scan through later – you know it’s junk so just toss it.

If you have a dishwasher, put your dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher. Storing them in the sink adds an unnecessary step to doing dishes. When you run the dishwasher, try to empty it right away – don’t leave dishes overnight or “live out of” the dishwasher.

While cooking, clean as you go. If you are waiting for something to simmer, clean out the bowl you just used to mix it up. Take a quick second to sponge off the chopping knife or cutting board you just used. By doing these little things as you prepare meals, you’ll feel much less overwhelmed when it’s time to clean up after eating.

Always straighten the shower curtain to avoid mold. Run the bathroom fan after a shower, even if it wasn’t particularly steamy. This will take out a lot of moisture in the air and also cut down on mold.