Cleaning Day!

Today was our quarterly cleaning day. We have the traditional "spring" cleaning, once each season. It actually will take two days this time. We got the second floor done today, and tomorrow we will finish the first floor.

Looking for a great spring cleaning checklist? Some people swear by flylady.com. I use organizedhome.com. But this cleaning checklist is one that I have developed as a compilation of many sources.

Basic tips for cleaning...

1. Always clean top to bottom. Start at the back room of your house on the top floor and work forward and down.

2. Gather all your cleaning tools and cleaners and take them with you as you go. This wasting time having to walk up and down the stairs to collect them.

Supplies to gather - long handled dust mop; broom; vacuum with brush attachment; step stool; cleaning rags; bucket; sponge; cleaning brush; glass cleaner; surface cleaner; shower cleaner; toilet cleaner; stainless steel cleaner; wood cleaner; cleaning wipes; and trash bags.

3. As you go from room to room, take a 4 way mind set with you (think about that show Clean Sweep) - think Trash, Give Away, Sell, and Keep. Do it as you go, anything that you can give away don't put it back on the shelf, put it in a box with the name of a person or organization on it immediately! If you are going to sell it at a later date, and you are being honest with yourself that you really will have this yard sale, then you can store all those things in one designated area.

4. Find a "distraction"! For some people, it's music. For me, it's talking to my friends on the phone. I put on a headset and talk my way through hours of work. Praise the Lord for long distance plans!

5. But "stay on task". Don't go from place to place. Work on one thing at a time until it's completed. Don't start cleaning the bathtub and then leave it half done to go make the bed. One completely clean room will feel much better than 3 rooms that are one third of the way finished.


The Bathroom Super Clean

• Take all dirty clothing and towels to the laundry room.
• Wash bathmats.
  
• Dust the fans and vents.
• Clean light fixtures.
• Dust the ceiling and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
  
• Dust any framed art on walls.
• Clean doors.
  
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Scrub tub and shower. Don't forget the fixtures.
  
• Throw away any empty shampoo containers or old soap.
  
• Wash down sink and fixtures.
• Clean mirror.
  
• Dust any knick-knacks.
• Clean out medicine cabinet. Throw away any old prescriptions.
• Clean out underneath sink.
• Organize linen cabinet.
  
• Scrub toilet.
• Clean baseboards.
  
• Sweep and mop the floor.
• Empty and wash out trash can.
• Put out any finishing touches...clean towels, fill soap dispensers, and freshening candles.

The Bedroom Super Clean

• Straighten up room before you start. Putting away clothes where they belong. Throwing away trash. Putting knick-knacks, books, and toys where they belong.
• Dust ceilings and corners.
• Wash walls.
• Clean switch plates.
• Dust wall art.
• Wash doors.
• Clean ceiling fan and vents.
• Wash curtains and dust blinds.
• Wash windows.
• Wash all bedding, comforters, mattress pads, and pillows.
• Vacuum mattress.
• Flip mattress.
• Clean under bed.
• Dust knick-knacks.
• Use vacuum attachment to clean lampshade.
• Dust dressers, and other furniture.
• Organize closets and drawers.
  
• Clean flooring.

That's all we got to today! Hopefully, I will get to the living and dining areas and kitchen tomorrow!