Let’s paint a picture. You and your family have bought the home of your dreams through Linda Craft & Team. It has been about a year and the home needs some spring cleaning. You have your rubber gloves, bucket of cleaning products, worn out T-shirt on and a whole day to spring clean! But where do you start? Tackling the whole house can be very daunting. Linda Craft & Team recommends you split it up over the course of a few days. Please see the checklist below to help navigate you through your Triangle home without missing a spot!
FOYER
- Dust and wipe down lighting fixtures.
- Wipe walls and trim
- Wash doors, knobs and switch plates.
- Empty out coat closet. Donate items that no one uses anymore.
- Clean or replace entry mat.
- Sweep and mop floors.
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. Donate items you no longer need. Avoid storing items on floor.
- Move Bed. Sort and put away anything that was under bed. Sweep or vacuum under bed. Avoid storing items under the bed.
- Put bed back. Freshen mattress by sprinkling with baking soda, letting sit briefly, and the vacuuming it up.
- Launder bedding and curtains. Wash pillows and duvet in hot water.
- Dust lights. Clean lamp shades with a lint roller.
- Wash windows and window sills.
- Windex mirrors or dust art.
- Wipe doors with magic eraser and wipe doorknobs with disinfectant.
- Sweep and mop floor or vacuum.
BATHROOMS
- Open windows
- Empty all cabinets and vanity. Wash inside, replace items neatly. Discard expired medications and cosmetics.
- Wash outside of cabinets and vanities
- Clean tub. Wax if necessary. Clean drain.
- Clean toilet, inside and out. Remove seat and clean around seat bolts.
- Clean sink and drain.
- Shine faucets.
- Clean mirror and frame .
- Dust light fixtures.
- Wash windows and window sills.
- Wash switch plates.
- Wipe down walls and trim.
- Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
- Sweep and wash floors.
KITCHEN
- Open windows.
- Remove and clean window coverings.
- For each cabinet or 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
- Organize pantry.
- Clean oven.
- Clean stove top. Remove elements and drip bowls, if applicable, wash and put back.
- Defrost freezer, if necessary. Check food expiry dates.
- Clean under fridge and stove.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils
- Clean microwave by heating up a glass of water and vinegar and letting it sit and steam inside, then wipe down.
- Clean crumbs out of toaster oven
- Wipe down any stainless steel appliances with special SS cleaner.
- Wipe counters and back splash.
- Clean dishwasher
- Dust light fixtures.
- Wash windows and window sills.
- Wipe walls and trim as needed.
- Wash doors and door knobs.
- Sweep and mop floor.
LIVING ROOM/ FAMILY ROOM/ PLAYROOM
- Open windows.
- Vacuum sofas.
- Spot clean sofas, if applicable.
- Launder throw pillows and blankets.
- Dust shelves, furniture
- Wash windows and window sills.
- Take out and wash window screens.
- Clean television screen.
- Carefully dust electronics.
- Sort books and magazines.
- Wipe walls and trim as needed.
- Clean floors.
OUTSIDE
- Sweep porches and walkway.
- Wash thresholds.
- Wash exterior doors. Give front door a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.
- Clean or replace welcome mat.
- Wash siding.
Are you ready for spring cleaning but need some assistance? Perhaps your schedule will not allow it or you are not able to climb up a ladder etc. We have a great list of local, Triangle area home care professionals that we can recommend. From Raleigh house cleaning (Kim Cantley 919.880.0746) to gutter cleaning (Scro’s Roofing Company 919.461.0937), we have it all! Call our Raleigh real estate office today for a copy of our list!
Also, do not forget about our FREE Shredding Event on March 29 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm! We will have a DJ, refreshments and a GIANT paper shredding truck that is happy to take your old files etc. Get more information here.
For all of your Triangle area home buying and home selling needs, please call Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS (919.235.0007) today for a free consultation!