Time for that gruelling ritual made necessary by long winters and a layer of sand tracked in from the streets. I do not clean, I tidy. It is my job, year round, to not only make sure that everything is in it's place, but that there is not a layer of dust on it. So spring cleaning is merely the opportunity to throw open the windows and let some fresh air in.
I think that spring cleaning is more of a home owner's issue than an apartment dwellers. So I have modified the spring cleaning check-list I found to make it more apartment friendly. The items that I have chosen to omit are either not my responsibility as a renter, or because the material used in building the apartment prevent it. (I.E. I do not wash walls because the paint is not water resistant). I have linked the original list at the bottom of the post.
FOYER
- Dust lighting fixtures
- Wash doorknobs and switch plates
- Empty out coat closet:
- Wash floor.
- Sort items as you return them to the closet.
- Store out of season items
- Donate unneeded items
- Sweep and scrub floors
- Vacuum entry mat
BEDROOMS
- Open windows
- Dust furniture
- For each drawer:
- Remove items
- Wash drawer
- Place items back neatly
- Donate Items you no longer need
- Remove everything from closets:
- Sweep and wash closet floor
- Put everything back neatly
- Try not to store things on closet floor
- Donate items you no longer need
- Sweep under bed
- Freshen mattress:
- Sprinkle with baking soda
- Letting it sit briefly
- Vacuum it up
- Launder bedding
- Dust lights
- Wash switch plates
- Dust art
- Wash doorknobs
- Sweep and wash floor
- Vacuum rugs
BATHROOMS
- Clean vanity:
- Empty all cabinets
- Wash inside
- Replace items neatly
- Discard expired medications and cosmetics
- Wash outside of vanity
- Clean tub
- Clean toilet
- Clean sink:
- Shine faucets
- Clean mirror and frame
- Dust light fixtures
- Wash switch plates and door knobs
- Sweep and wash floor
KITCHEN
- For each cabinet and drawer:
- Remove items
- Wipe out drawer
- Place items back neatly
- Donate unneeded items
- Wash and sanitize cutting boards
- Sharpen knives
- Wash cabinet doors and knobs
- Clean and organize pantry
- Clean Stove:
- Remove elements and drip bowls, wash and put back
- Clean oven
- Clean and organize fridge and freezer:
- Defrost freezer, if necessary
- Check food expiry dates
- Clean under fridge and stove
- Clean microwave
- Clean crumbs out of toaster
- Clean and descale kettle
- Wipe down any other counter appliances
- Clean sink:
- Wash and shine sink
- Shine faucet
- Wash counters and back splash
- Clean dishwasher
- Wash switch plates
- Sweep and wash floor
DINING ROOM
- Wipe down table and chairs
- Wipe down or dust other furnishing
- Dust any displayed china or serving dishes
- Shine silverware
- Dust art
- Sweep and wash floor
LIVING ROOM
- Open windows
- Vacuum sofa
- Launder throw pillows and blankets
- Dust shelves, furniture and decor
- Clean lamps and lampshades
- Clean television screen
- Carefully dust electronics:
- Tidy electronics wires
- Tuck nicely out of sight
- Label them, if practical
- Sort through music and DVD collections:
- Purge things that no longer suit your family's interests
- Organize what is left in an attractive manner
- Sort books and magazines:
- Donate or recycle ones that no longer suit your family's interests.
- Wash switch plates
- Sweep and wash floor
- Vacuum rugs
REMEMBER TO:
- Clean blades of ceiling fans.
- Sort and clean any extra zones such as linen closets, utility closets and office spaces.
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