The ultimate spring cleaning checklist

Whether your home is a short-term rental, new build or long-term family home, a spring clean is the perfect way to breathe new life into your space.

So grab your vacuum and mop, shake out those garbage bags and get that label maker heated up - because we have the ultimate spring cleaning checklist to help get you started on that top to bottom refresh!

What does a spring clean involve?

A yearly tradition for many, a spring clean involves a deep clean room by room, top to bottom and inside out. Spring cleaning includes everything from dusting and wiping to decluttering and includes all of those little nooks and cranny’s that don’t get cleaned on a regular basis.

TOP TIP: Take it one room at a time and break your cleaning into bite size pieces. This will make your spring clean much less overwhelming.

What do I need?

Before you can roll up your sleeves and get to work, you’ll need a few basics (and maybe some little extra’s) to help you get the job done.

• Vacuum
• Mop
• Duster
• Microfibre cloths
• Sponges
• Surface spray
• Vinegar
• Bicarb Soda
• Laundry detergent or powder
• Garbage bags
• Storage boxes
• Label maker / permanent marker

Room by room
-Bedroom

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s important for your health and well-being that your bedroom is kept clean and free of dust-mites!

• Strip your bed, and throw your sheets, quilt cover, protectors, topper, underlay and quilt in the wash. Once these are clean and have been aired out, your heavier winter items can be folded and put away in your linen closet for the colder seasons.
• Rotate your mattress so that it wears out evenly over time
• Vacuum the floor, rug (over and under!), skirting boards, and behind and beneath furniture
• Dust window sills, bed-side tables, and any shelves or draw units
• Sort through your wardrobe and choose what to throw, donate, recycle, or keep
• For any kids rooms, sort through clothes and shoes that may no longer fit, and any toys you may wish to donate
• Reorganise your wardrobe and draws to suit how you use it
• Once it’s aired out, remake your bed with clean linen and lighter weight bedding

TOP TIP: If you’re prone to spring time allergies, opt for bedding with antibacterial properties. This type of bedding will help keep nasty dust-mites away leaving you to sleep more soundly. Try our Bamboo Wool range or Healthy Fibre Quilt. Spring is also the ideal time to swap over your pillows!

-Ensuite & Bathrooms

Bathrooms get pretty steamy, especially if you’re someone that likes to take a hot shower or bath. This can lead to mould and bacteria which can be harmful to your health, so it’s a vital area to keep sparkly clean.

• Clean out that vanity! It’s time to get rid of any expired products like make-up or skincare, wipe down the shelves and re-organise all of the little bits and bobs
• Wipe down your mirrors with a microfibre cloth
  TOP TIP: use a spray bottle filled ½ with vinegar and ½ with water for a streak free clean
• Clean the toilet, sink, shower and bath
• Mop the floors and be sure to get into all of that grout!
• Clean out your drains
  TOP TIP: use ½ cup of bicarb soda and 1 cup of vinegar, cover the drain with a cloth for about 10 minutes then pour a full kettle of boiling water down the drain to clear up any gross build up of soap scum
• Throw away your old toothbrush and replace with a new one
• Put your towels in the wash and swap over with some fresh clean ones

WE RECOMMEND: Our Flint towels are made with the perfect blend of cotton and bamboo for a softer feel. Treated with an Anti-Microbial treatment to aid in odour management and keep your towels fresh, wash after wash.

-Kitchen

Ahh the kitchen. The one room in the house that never seems to be clean no matter how often we feel like we clean it!

• Sort through your fridge and pantry and throw out any out of date items
• Wipe down the shelves, and give the fresh produce bins a good wash
• Empty out the crumbs from your toaster
• Wipe down your splash backs, benches and stove top
• Clean your range hood
• Wipe out the microwave
• Deep clean your oven
• Clean your sinks with bicarb soda and vinegar
• Wash any glassware that hasn’t been used in a while as it’s likely full of dust!
• Wipe out all of the shelves in your pantry
• Wipe out your draws
• Swap your tea towels over for some nice fresh ones
• Vacuum and mop the floors

-Laundry

Unfortunately, washing machines and dryers aren’t self-cleaning. Your laundry room has a risk of high humidity and moisture, so cleaning it prevents bacteria and other unpleasant things (like odours) from building up!

• Clean your washing machine by running an empty hot cycle with vinegar and bicarb soda
• Clean your dryer by emptying the lint trap and wiping clean
• Dust any surfaces such as bench tops or shelves
• Vacuum and mop the floors
• Sort out any washing that needs doing
  TOP TIP: Laundry bags and storage baskets are perfect to help sort out lights and darks!

TOP TIP: Leave the door of the washing machine open to let it air dry! This deters mould and mildew from growing and will stop your machine from smelling musty.

-Living & dining room

As the busiest room in the home, the living room is one of the hardest spots to keep clean throughout the week.

• Dust or wipe down all surfaces including your dining and coffee tables, chairs, shelves and TV unit
• Dust window sills
• If you have removable couch covers, throw them in the wash and place a couple of blankets or throw rugs down in the mean time to protect your couch cushions
• Vacuum the floor, rug (over and under!), skirting boards, and behind and beneath furniture
• Refill any salt, pepper or sugar containers you keep on the kitchen table
• Change over your cushion covers, vases and other décor to make your space feel like new!

Feeling inspired? While spring cleaning is a great way to rejuvenate your home, sometimes a deep clean isn’t enough. Why not explore new in at Lorraine Lea!