Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze: Tips and Tricks

When Spring is in the air, you know it’s time to tackle dust and grime that has accumulated over the winter! While your annual spring cleaning ritual is a great way to air out and clean up your home, you don’t have to go at removing clutter, allergens, and dust alone. The cleaning pros at Molly Maid® have some great spring cleaning tips and tricks to make spring cleaning a breeze.

Create A Checklist

Start your spring cleaning by following a checklist to help you tackle each nook and cranny in every room of your home. Knowing the tasks you want to accomplish, and breaking them down by room or category (e.g., decluttering, dusting, deep cleaning) keeps you organized and prevents feeling overwhelmed.

Declutter and Organize

Before you break out the cleaning gear, you have to make some tough decisions about all of your extra stuff. Molly Maid has declared decluttering as the number one spring cleaning tip. Once you have decluttered your space, the rest of your work will be a lot easier.

Less is more

Less clutter means fewer things to clean or move during your spring cleaning project. As a bonus, it makes your home feel more livable. Begin with what you can see, move on to closets and drawers, and finally, underneath beds, furniture, etc. For each area you're decluttering, you'll make three piles—keep, donate, and trash.

Stay objective

When decluttering, be as objective as possible. This approach will help you get rid of as many of those old clothes, books, and other things that are collecting dust.

Put anything you haven’t used in a long time in the ‘donate’ pile. Things you use or want to keep will go in the ‘keep’ pile. As for everything else, it goes to the garbage or recycling.

Pro Tip: If necessary, enlist the help of a friend who will be less sentimental about purging certain items. You can return the favor when it’s their time to declutter.

Use a HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

Once you’ve managed your clutter, it’s time to suck up the dust that’s been stirred up. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum cleaners use advanced filtration to trap micron-sized contaminants and other particles. Because HEPA-equipped vacuums can capture up to 99 percent of airborne allergens, they create a healthier environment. Say goodbye to dust mites and pet dander that can aggravate allergies, and hello to a home that is as clean as it looks.

Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Tips

Once you have purged your home of clutter and sucked up the initial dust, it is time to grab the cleaning supplies. Molly Maid has created a comprehensive spring cleaning strategy to get you started and keep you going room by room. While the field-tested cleaning tips and tricks cover spring cleaning ideas for most homes, you may need to adjust them to yours.

Sanitize Your Bathroom

As part of a spring cleaning, sanitizing surfaces throughout the bathroom is a must. This includes wiping down window sills, baseboards, blinds, light fixtures, your vanity, and more. Scrub and remove soap scum from your shower, tub, tile and grout. Don’t forget to clean the entire toilet inside and out and finish by vacuuming and mopping the bathroom floor to remove hair and debris.

Pro Tip: To remove hard-water stains, soak paper towels in undiluted vinegar and place on buildup. Leave overnight, then scrub and rinse.

Reset Your Bedroom

Every few months, give your bedroom a good look over. Is your comforter a little too tattered? Could that chair in the corner be too big after all? From adjusting small details to rearranging the entire layout of your bedroom, changing things up every so often can keep your bedroom fresh and comfortable.

In addition to changing things up as part of your spring cleaning routine, refresh your bedroom and create a clean, relaxing space for better sleep and overall well-being with a full reset:

• Open windows to let in fresh air and improve circulation.
• Sort through your closet and swap out seasonal items, including clothing, shoes, and accessories
• Clear out nightstands, dressers, and under-bed storage.
• Wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and mattress covers.
• Vacuum and spot-clean the mattress, then rotate or flip it if applicable.
• Replace or wash pillows to remove dust mites and allergens.
• Wipe down nightstands, dressers, headboards, and lamps.
• Dust ceiling fans, vents, and light fixtures.
• Clean mirrors and windows for a fresh, bright feel.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs, or deep clean them for a fresh start.
• Sweep and mop hardwood or tile floors.

Pro Tip: Add finishing touches by swapping out heavy winter blankets for lighter, breathable fabrics and bringing in fresh plants or flowers for a touch of nature.

Refresh Your Kitchen

Deep cleaning your kitchen is probably the most grime-intensive task. With the right cleaning solution and supplies, you can cut grease that settles on surfaces.

• Place any stove top burners in a sinkful of soapy hot water.
• Pull all dish towels and washable rugs and wash them. Take any other rugs outside to shake, then vacuum.
• Remove all food from the pantry and refrigerator, throwing out expired items as you go.
• Spray all surfaces, including the exterior of the fridge and pantry shelves, with diluted vinegar, then wipe with a cloth. Put back the remaining items.
• Pull any appliances you can away from the wall, then sweep and mop behind them.
• Spray all countertops and appliances, both large and small, with diluted vinegar, then wipe with a cloth.
• Leave running the self-cleaning cycle in your oven to last. Avoid fumes by setting the cycle, opening windows, and heading outside with any small children or pets.

Pro Tip: You may be able to save yourself from scrubbing your range hood grease filters by running them through the dishwasher. Be sure to check and follow your manufacturer's cleaning recommendation.

After you’ve tackled your spring cleaning, it’s best to maintain your hard work with a few things you can do daily. In just a few minutes, you can:

• Make your bed to get your day started on the right foot.
• Transfer clothes from bedroom and bathroom hampers to the laundry room every morning.
• Load the dishwasher and wipe the counters before you leave the kitchen.
• Dust and sweep one room per day.
• Put things like books and laptops back where they belong once you call it a day.
• Perform a quick decluttering in common rooms before you settle in for the night.

Pro Tip: Break down tasks into manageable chunks and keep up with these daily quick cleaning tips to get the most out of every minute.

If You Don’t Have Time, Call Molly Maid

These helpful spring cleaning tips will help you welcome spring with a fresh, clean home. However, if you don’t have the time to do it all yourself, let Molly Maid take over for you! With locations all over the United States and Canada, we can tackle your next deep clean! Our team of local cleaning pros has the tools and expertise needed. Schedule us for a one-time cleaning, special event cleaning, or recurring cleaning service today. Call us to discuss your cleaning needs or request a free estimate.

Services may vary by location. For more information, including the most accurate list of services and guidance, contact your locally owned and operated Molly Maid for details and a customized on-site assessment.