The Best 2023 Spring Cleaning Checklist
New year, new things to clean. At the beginning of a yearly cycle, we’re all tempted to get rid of the old and start anew, but sometimes we’re stuck on the most crucial task to ensure a fresh start to our year: that first, deep yearly clean. It can be challenging for many to commit to cleaning every nook and cranny in their home, from their carpets to their microwaves to their floors, but cleaning up can mean new beginnings and opportunities. It can bring forth change and a new outlook on responsibility, keeping your space comfortable and spotless.
Though no one knows for sure when and where the spring cleaning tradition originated, some historians trace this practice back to the beginning of the Persian New Year, or the Nowruz. It’s also been suggested that this customary cleaning process could’ve started in Jewish culture in anticipation of Passover. What we do know is that it’s become a regular practice in modern culture.
To help start your year, JR Janitorial Service Inc. has developed the most complete spring cleaning checklist to start your year with a polished home and a brighter living environment.
Why is spring cleaning important?
There are many reasons why spring cleaning is all the rage nowadays. Other than improving the look and cleanliness of your home, it can be the catalyst for new beginnings, help you rediscover and find things you never thought you would see again, and move items into storage.
- You will sanitize and disinfect your home, especially missed spots that are usually contaminated with viruses and bacteria, like doorknobs, handles, and buttons.
- It will improve the air quality in your house, making it easier to breathe and reducing airborne particles like dust and allergens.
- You’ll clean those easy-to-miss spots and the tightest corners and crannies in your house, apartment, or office building. Moving furniture and looking out for those small nooks where dust and other contaminants accumulate will brighten your living space.
- It’ll make your space smell nice. Aside from the strong smell of disinfectant, using air fresheners, candles, and other products will make you feel more comfortable in a refreshing environment.
- Your furniture will last longer. Carpets capture all the murk in your home and office. Giving them a thorough steam cleaning or pressure washing will increase their longevity. Couches, floors, and other furniture also benefit from a thorough yearly clean.
When should my spring clean-up start?
The National Day Calendar marks the fourth Sunday in March as the official start of national cleaning week. Many people take advantage of this to start their spring cleaning, but there is no exact date to start your spring cleaning project. You can begin your yearly deep cleaning process whenever your house feels cluttered.
How do you prepare for spring cleaning?
Whether you’re preparing for apartment cleaning or wiping your office in the dawn of spring, you can prepare for spring cleaning by gathering the appropriate cleaning materials. There is no official or enforced guide to prepare you for it, but here are some tips to keep in mind before you begin:
- Create a spring cleaning checklist like the one we’ve prepared below.
- Gather supplies like mops, brooms, buckets, microfiber cleaning cloths, a vacuum, a duster, a window squeegee, rubber gloves, aprons, trash bags, and cleaning products. All-purpose cleaning spray, sponges, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, window and glass spray, Clorox wipes, and a degreaser are great ways to ensure you’ll clean your space thoroughly.
- Get in the mood. If you’re not in the right headspace to clean, you will most likely not clean up properly.
- Declutter your space! Make sure your counters, drawers, floors, and surfaces are object-free so you can get all the hard-to-reach spots and have enough room to move around.
- You can even go the extra mile and buy a pressure washer or hire carpet cleaners. In fact, JR Janitorial Service Inc. offers the best carpet cleaning and pressure washing service in the Atlanta area, so you don’t have to do it yourself.
What things can you get rid of during spring cleaning?
Like Marie Kondo says, whatever doesn’t spark joy. She suggests throwing away anything sitting in your home unused, cluttering your space, or being a general inconvenience. Consider getting rid of the following items:
- Old papers and receipts you’re sure you’ll never use again.
- Worn clothes with holes in them or things that don’t fit anymore. You can even consider donating clothing items in a good state to a charity to make sure they stay in good hands.
- Expired food in your fridge and pantry that only clutter and desanitize your space.
- Old, worn, torn furniture accumulates dust in your living room, office, or kitchen.
The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist
Now that we’ve given you some tips, here is your ultimate spring cleaning 2023 checklist.
General
- Wipe down all lighting fixtures.
- Clean your walls and ceilings.
- Wipe down door knobs, handrails, vents, and cabinets.
- Clean, mop, and disinfect your floor.
- Clean your blinds or wash your curtains.
- Clean all windows, window panes, and sills.
- Wipe down your ceiling fans.
- Gather everything you don’t need and prepare to throw it away or store it in an orderly fashion.
- Identify lightbulbs that are no longer working and replace them.
Bedrooms
- Wash and change bedsheets.
- Vacuum and sweep everything under your bed.
- Organize your closet.
- Put your dirty clothes in a hamper and prepare to wash them.
- Identify what items belong in other rooms and move them out of your bedroom.
- If you have a steam cleaner, steam clean your mattress.
Kitchen
- Wipe your counters and kitchen island (if you have one).
- Clean your microwave.
- Empty and clean your fridge.
- Throw away expired and old food.
- Check your pantry for expired canned products, spices, and snacks.
- Clean the oven and stove top. Degrease it if necessary.
- Wipe down your sinks and faucets.
Clean your dishwasher.
Living Room
- Vacuum your couch and cushions.
- If you have a steam cleaner, steam your furniture.
- Organize your DVD or CD collections.
- Wipe down your electronics.
- Clean your fireplace if you have one.
- Deep clean your carpet.
Office
- Wipe down your electronics.
- Declutter your work desk.
- Throw away papers you no longer use.
Utility Room or Space
- Clean your washing machine and dryer.
- Clean your dryer vents.
Stairways
- Wipe down your stairs.
- If your stairs have carpet, shampoo them or steam clean them.
- Disinfect handrails.
Bathrooms
- Clean the sinks and faucets.
- Make sure your drains aren’t clogged.
- Clean the tub or shower.
- Disinfect the toilet and clean it thoroughly.
- Wipe down your mirrors.
Outside Spaces
- Wash and clean the outside of your windows. A squeegee might come in handy.
- Sweep and rinse porch spaces, balconies, walls, floors, and railings.
- If you have a deck, power wash it if you can.
- Wash your outdoor furniture.
- Clean all exterior mats and rugs.
- Clean out your garage; this includes decluttering and washing it.
- Store all your tools in a box or container.
- Trim your trees and your garden space.
Spring Cleaning is a Lot of Work!
As you now may know, it can be a very time-consuming project to take on at the start of your year, but cleaning your office or apartment space can be very rewarding. It’s a practice that has been around for centuries and benefits your health and living space. However, if you’re not up to the task of taking on spring cleaning, you can hire professional cleaning services instead.
We at JR Janitorial Service Inc. will be happy to take on your spring apartment or office cleaning project.