Spring is a season of new beginnings, and what better way to welcome it than with sparkling windows & the tinkle of ice cubes. Today I have for you a 50-step Spring cleaning checklist. It's awful, I hate it, but let's get the season underway with a fresh start & a stiff drink.
There are those of you that just stood up and CHEERED at the thought of a spring cleaning checklist - and then there's the rest of us. We're smart. We are not going to be fooled into cleaning by some snappy headline that makes it seem fun.
Cleaning is what people who don't like to get dirty do.
However. I will admit that I have created a very good cleaning list.
🍋 This is a spring cleaning checklist that will make you feel hopeful about your lemon scented future. 🍋
This list will make you 100% certain that YOU can do this.
Out of an abundance of caution, keep a stiff drink on ice in case things start to go south on you.
That's what differentiate's my spring cleaning list from anyone else's.
Mine is catered to people who are probably drunk.
As such, each task is safe & easily accomplished even while tipsy. Except maybe item #22 under the heading Bedroom.
Table of Contents
Kitchen
- Clear out your pantry and ditch expired or stale items.
- Clean out your fridge & freezer.
- Scrub down the inside and outside of your appliances.
- Wipe down cabinets and drawers inside and out.
- Clean stove burners and oven grates.
- Clean the oven and microwave.
- Clean the sink and polish faucet fixtures.
- Wipe down counters and backsplash.
- Clean the dishwasher and washing machine.
- Sweep and mop the floors.
Living Areas
- Remove everything from shelves, tables, bookcases & cry. Then dust.
- Wipe down mirrors and windows.
- Dust baseboards and door frames.
- Vacuum upholstered pieces and clean leather furniture.
- Wash or dry-clean curtains and blinds.
- Dust and clean lamps, shades and bulbs.
- Clean pillows and throws.
- Clean area rugs.
- Vacuum/wash underneath area rugs.
- Dust and wipe down electronics like tv, stereo etc.
Bedrooms
- Wash or dry-clean bedding.
- Flip your mattress.
- Vacuum or sweep under the bed. To my cat people, underneath the bed is prime barfing territory.
- Declutter and organize your closet.
- Dust and clean dressers and nightstands.
- Wipe down mirrors and windows.
- Dust baseboards and door frames.
- Vacuum floors and carpets.
- Clean any rugs.
- Dust and wipe down electronics.
My Robot Vacuum Review
Bathrooms
- Scrub the tub and shower.
- Clean the toilet. With an actual cleaning product.
- Clean the sink and polish faucet fixtures.
- Wipe down cabinets and drawers inside and out.
- Wipe down mirrors and windows.
- Wash or dry-clean shower curtains and mats.
- Sweep and mop floors.
- Dust baseboards and door frames.
- Organize your medicine cabinet.
- Clean and organize under the sink.
General Cleaning
- Dust and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Clean air vents and filters.
- Clean and organize your entryway.
- Wipe down doors and doorknobs.
- Dust and clean picture frames and art.
- Organize or tidy your home office.
- Check/test fire extinguishers.
- Declutter the basement - sell or donate stuff.
- Change smoke alarm & carbon monoxide batteries.
- Clean your car, inside and out.
Happy cleaning!
Drink.
need to secure electrical box to ceiling on a chandleier?
Hi Karen, did you send out an email today, 4/13/2023, titled "Sign Up For My Growing Guide"? I haven't opened it because it doesn't look like your usual postings/emails. I want to make sure you are NOT sending these emails. If you are, I look forward to reading them :-) Thank you!
Hi Lori! Yes that's me and my growing guide. ~ karen
When cooking, a recipe is something from which you diverge; when cleaning, a list is something which reminds you how far behind you're getting!
BTW, the area under the bed is not for the cats barfing - as Anita Jane says, they prefer to leave their 'presents' where I can step on them in bare feet in the dark. Besides, under the bed is where my dust-bunny-breeding colony hangs out, and they can be really prolific some years and leave no room for anything else...
Another BTW, the gorgeous dahlia (?) at the top would make a good puzzle for those of us who indulge. [OK, so it could be someone's incredible beading instead!]
Always love your posts! Next season you should do a drink pairing for each room LOL!
I forced myself to read ALL 50 items on the list and immediately felt exhausted. Two days later I woke up & tackled my ikea kitchen pantry shelving, tea and spice cupboards. Six filled organic bags later, full recycling & trash bins , numerous filled & labled assorted mason jars later I feel so much better! Now if I could only find the mind space to tackle the remaining 49 items!
Thank you for the list ;)
LOL. Don't worry about it. You've done enough. ;) ~ karen!
Hi Karen. I have received several emails from "Karen / The Art of........" in my preview subject instead of the usual "Karen Bertelsen / T..........". They look different. VERY similar to your usual email headings, but, different. Did you email something about a marshmallow fruit salad yesterday? If not, I will delete the email. Thank you! Lori
Hi Lori. Those are my emails. I've just changed the way they look. :) ~ karen!
I was doing fine. break it into sections, yeah I could do it. And then you have to mention the car. Two words: snow brine. Yikes!
I’ve read the list, screenshot the list and printed! First motivation! Next motivation? Get motivation to start the list! Tomorrow…I know, tomorrow never comes! #49 is completed! Hubby does that when time changes! I think I’ll get that drink now! Lol!
Does your husband know the more he does the drunker you'll get? ~ karen!
I write stuff to do on post it notes and love ripping them up when completed. I have a note now that needs to be in your kitchen section! It is....pulling out your fridge and stove to clean the guck..dust..cheerios...etc that are there! A once a year job...sorry folks...I know 51 is an odd number!
#24 is no joke. That could take a full month, Marie Kondo-style!! 😩😬
When I vacuum I just vacuum all the baseboards with the floor attachment before the floor. Pretty easy.
I do too, (unless it's a quick emergency vacuum) but they still need an actual wash every once in a while because most of my baseboards have nooks, crannies and cracks to gather dirt.
~ karen!
No. I don't want to do any of that. But what I will do is go out and gaze at my camellias.
I'll allow it. ~ karen!
It’s highly pleasant! Although I did start your list…. I’m a sucker for your advice.