Spring Cleaning Part 1 (The Bathroom)

It's that time of year...it starts to warm up outside, you can open the windows and let fresh air in, there's more daylight...and then you realize that despite your best efforts in cleaning over the long winter months, it's time to start the new season off fresh! It's time for some serious SPRING CLEANING!!!

Spring starts in less than 48 hours, so there's no time like the present to get started...even if getting started means just thinking (or staring) about everything you have to do.

I am a list girl. I am seriously addicted to list. Whether at home, or work, or where ever, I have to have a list. I've broken the cleaning down to 5 rooms. Some how it seems more manageable when your looking at a smaller area, verse the entire house. We'll focus on the bathroom(s), dining room, living room, kitchen, and lastly the bedroom(s).

We'll start in the smallest room and work our way around the house. If you live in a smaller place, or without kids, you should have yourself a clean home in a week!



The Bathroom

Before we begin the serious stuff, start off with a quick, basic cleaning. Pick up and toss any trash, put all the items back in their proper places, toss any dirty laundry into the hamper (or washer), gather up your supplies and you're ready to begin!

1. Dust. Top to bottom, the ceiling, the corners, the baseboards, any art work you may have hanging up. Everything.

2. Clean the vents, fans, and light fixtures. Use a damp cloth to wipe them down, you may possible have to remove them to do so.

3. Window treatments. You may want to do all the window in your home together, but take down any curtain and drapes to be washed. Wipe down any blinds and windowsills. Wash both the inside and outside of windows, and take down and hose off screens.

4. Scrub the tub (or shower). Remove your shower curtain and pop it in the wash. If your curtain liner is washable do the same for it, otherwise you might end up scrubbing it. (Note: most of the nasty discoloration on the shower liner is soap scum. You'd be surprised how clean it will get just by wiping it down with a wet rag.) Don't forget to wipe down the very top of the tub, if your short like me, it's easy to forget in your weekly cleaning, but can build up a ton of dust.

5. Scrub the toilet. Nothing special here, just be sure to wipe down the entire surface, even in the back!

6. Clean your cabinets, inside and out. From your medicine cabinet to your linen closet, to under the sink, remove everything, wipe down the shelves, and put back only what needs to be there. You also might want to make a list of items you are running low on so you can keep your eye out for sales.

7. Wash the sink. If you didn't clean the mirror when you cleaned out your medicine cabinet, now's the time to do it. You might even want to use an old toothbrush to get the hard to reach place. (Side note: Since you should change your toothbrush every 3 months, get a new toothbrush every time the season changes.)

8. Rugs. Shake 'em out and toss 'em in the wash. If you can hang your laundry outside, hang them out to dry, but don't pot them in the dryer. Don't forget the toilet seat cover!

9. Sweep and mop the floor. If you skipped cleaning the baseboards early, here's your second chance. Mimic Cinderella and get on your hands and knees to scrub the floor, no cheating...this is Spring clean we're doing!

10. Empty and wash down the trash can.

11. Step back and admire your first clean room! Give yourself a pat on the back!

*If you have the time, this would be the perfect time to tackle the laundry room. Dust, clean out the vents in the dryer, check the hoses for cracks, and wipe everything down. *

I'd love to hear how your Spring cleaning is going!