Spring Cleaning Tips to Make Every Room Sparkle

Spring is here, and it’s time to get everything fresh and sparkling clean for the season. We’ll provide a to-do list that you need to get your interior and exterior projects done quickly and efficiently.

Pressure Washing

First, we’ll start with exterior projects for the home, and this project is the most satisfying of all. Mold, dirt and grime build up over the winter months. Pressure washing is the quickest and easiest way to have your outdoor spaces clean and sparkling in no time. Here are some spots we recommend pressure washing in the spring:

• Driveways and sidewalks

• Porches, decks and patios

• Home exterior

• Fences

Cleaning the grill

Before you fire up the grill for the season, you should give it a good scrub. Rags, paper towels, a wire brush, cooking oil and some cleaning supplies will ensure your grill is safe to operate to prepare the tastiest of meals for your friends and family. 

Washing the windows

Snow, ice, dirt, cobwebs and grime collect over the winter, clouding up your windows. For a fresh and clean view inside and out, it’s time to wash them. A local window washing company that our team personally recommends  is Clear Cut Window Cleaning.

Cleaning the gutters

Leaves, twigs, sticks and debris can clog your gutters over the cold winter months. Spring is the right time to clean them out and do any repairs that are needed before April showers and summer storms. To prevent future biannual cleanings, consider installing gutter guards. Lastly, make sure your gutter extensions are attached and water is flowing away from your foundation. 

Yard clean-up

It is still a bit early but once the snow is gone and the ground is dry, pick up sticks and debris. Then, dethatch the lawn using a rake or a machine-powered tool. This isn’t something that has to be done every year, but it’s important to dethatch when needed to allow water, air and nutrients to get to your lawn. When all that’s done, it’s time to fertilize. 

Dog owners, spring yard cleanup involves a lot of mess if you haven’t been keeping up with numbers twos throughout the winter months. Consider hiring a local company like ScoppyPoo DoggyDoo to do a spring yard clean up for you. 

Other exterior maintenance

Here are some other projects you should tackle this spring:

• Do maintenance on snow blowers and winter equipment before putting them away for the season.

• Wash outdoor rugs, umbrellas, pillows and exterior curtains.

• Scrub and wash down patio furniture. Choose a cleaner that works best with your type of metal, wood or plastic outdoor furniture.

• Clean light fixtures and replace light bulbs if needed.

Deep cleaning

Now that you’ve tackled the exterior of your home, it’s time to go inside. Here are a few areas we recommend working on:

• Shampoo your carpets. You can rent carpet cleaners at Lowe’s and Home Depot.

• Run a cleaning cycle for your washer. 

• Deep-clean your oven.

• Sanitize your dishwasher.

• Wipe down door knobs and switch plates.

• Wipe down cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms.

• Wash curtains and duvets.

• Wash the mattress cover and rotate your mattress.

Vacuuming

A good vacuum with attachments and a handheld vacuum will help you get your house clean and tidy. Here are some areas not to be missed:

• Baseboards

• Fridge coils

• Under the bed and furniture

• Couches, chairs and other pieces of upholstered furniture

Dusting

The spring sun is streaming through the windows, and you’re seeing dust and cobwebs you haven’t noticed before. With a few tools, you’ll be dust free. Here are some areas to focus on:

• Shelves, pictures and knickknacks 

• Ceiling fans

• Top of the fridge and kitchen cabinets

• Light fixtures

• Blinds

• Electronics

Decluttering and Organizing

Now that your house is sparkling clean, it’s time to declutter and organize. Here are some spots where we recommend getting started:

• Empty out your coat closet. Donate any coats, scarves and gloves that you aren’t using. Organize the space by labeling baskets or bins for hats and winter gear.

• As you switch out your closet from winter to summer, donate or sell any shoes, clothing or accessories you no longer use. Get tips and tricks for installing a closet kit and organizing your space.

• Organize your file cabinet; file, archive and securely shred old documents . Drowning in papers? Here’s how to deal. 

• Declutter bathroom medicine cabinets and vanities. Discard any expired items and use acrylic bins to organize hair tools, makeup, medicine and more.

• Change out kitchen shelf liners if they’re torn or worn. Donate old appliances or gadgets and throw away expired food and spices. If you’d like to organize your kitchen or pantry, read this easy how-to article. This is also a good time to clean out the fridge.

• Last but not least, don’t forget the garage. Sweep and wash the floor. Discard unused or worn items. It’s also a good time to organize using durable shelving, large plastic bins and hangers for sports equipment.

Bring your spring cleaning discards to our KW Eden Prairie office parking lot for our Spring Cleaning Event on Saturday, April 23rd from 9am to 12pm. Drop off all unwanted items, gently used clothing & home goods, and shred private documents. For more information on items you can donate, shred or recycle, visit kwspringclean.com. 

Here’s to celebrating the first day of spring and breathing new life into our hearts and homes this season!