LOTH Loves

Spring cleaning tips for 2021

 

Your home is your oasis – your jewel – and it should always feel as such. As one year ends and another begins, the urge to clean up starts to stir up once again. Spring is right around the corner! 

 

During the year, we always remember to clean the things we can see daily, but what about those things we can forget? The ambiance of your home can be significantly influenced by the condition of your home.

 

While we pay special attention to every detail we can, there might be a spot or two that we missed. That’s why we’ve created this Spring Cleaning Checklist to help you clear out the dust bunnies and start the warmer season off with a clean slate!



Spring of 2021 starts on March 20th.



This checklist will cover every part of your sanctuary and will guide you towards corners of your home you might not have thought to clean in a long time. Get ready because you’re about to start your journey to a cleaner, happier home this year!

 

What You’ll Need 

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of spring cleaning, here’s a handy list to double-check if you have all the proper tools to get the job done! Have your arsenal of supplies stocked and ready to go for a more efficient cleaning process. 

 

  • Cleaning rags
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Disinfectant 
  • Mop
  • Broom 
  • Vacuum 
  • Duster
  • Scrub brush
  • Toilet scrub brush
  •  Pressure sprayer 

Kitchen Cleaning

Let’s get started with the heart and soul of just about any home: the kitchen. This room receives daily TLC so, naturally, it collects a lot of grime. With various nooks and crannies throughout the space, there are tons of hidden messes waiting to be uncovered. 

Our spring cleaning process in the kitchen: 

  1. Start from the top-down when performing your cleaning so you don’t have to go back over your steps. Look at your lighting fixtures for old bulbs that need replacing. These spots are also notorious for collecting dust.
  2. Clean all of your cabinets from the top-down. Don’t forget to clean them inside and out. Pay special attention to the area right above your stovetop. This region will be particularly difficult to spruce up as this is where grease tends to stick the most.
  3. Wipe down all of your countertops with environmentally-friendly cleansers. Make sure to really scrub the grout if you have tiled counters.
  4. Use soap and water to clean your sink. Take this time to refresh your garbage disposal too. Run the disposal with some citrus rinds to remove any lurking smells. You can also pour baking soda into the garbage disposal followed by vinegar for a deep clean. Finish it off by pouring hot water down the drain. 
  5. Clean and reorganize your pantry for easier access to daily items. Your shelves could be hiding some things that have been sitting in there for quite a while.
  6. Everything from your microwave to your toaster oven should be deep-cleaned. All of the appliances you have in your kitchen should be dusted and surfaces cleaned with soapy water or an all-purpose cleaner.
  7. Though you might have recently cleaned the majority of your utensils (since they are used on a daily basis), soak and clean all of them again to make sure they are all sparkling fresh! All other utensils like your cutting board or mixing bowls might be overused and may need to be replaced with new, eco-friendly utensils. Since it’s the season for clearing out, consider donating your old kitchen supplies. Then you’ll be free to purchase a beautiful new set to display in your kitchen.
  8. The floors come last as all of that dust, grime, and crumbs likely landed on the ground after cleaning the rest of the kitchen. Sweep or vacuum and mop your floors thoroughly to remove any stains or spills. The luxury of living in the 21st century is the benefit of technology. If you have hard-wood floors or tile, you can incorporate a robot vacuum cleaner to do the work for you.

Dining Room Cleaning

Next up on the spring cleaning docket is the dining room. This area sees a lot of foot traffic throughout the day. Crumbs and spills end up in the strangest of places. 

Spruce up your dining room: 

  1. Clean all the dust off the entire lighting fixture. If it’s been a while since you’ve done this, you might even see a noticeable increase in how bright the room becomes.
  2. Clean off your table from the top to the legs. Dust settles in every crevice. Use soapy water for any type of table. For wood tables, find the right oil to give it that facelift it needs to sparkly again.
  3. Your tablecloth dresses the table. An old tablecloth that’s been washed too many times might start to wear and lose its color. Design your dining room with a clean, vibrant tablecloth.
  4. Clean and polish your cutlery. Water stains can become quite prominent if it’s dried improperly. Take your time to make them shine like new!
  5. Shake out and clean your rug. Vacuuming rugs can only go so far, so check the tags on your dining room rug for the washing instructions to keep it looking fresh.
  6. Mop and vacuum or sweep your floor after lifting your rug and moving your furniture around.

Bathroom Cleaning

Our bathrooms are the rooms we typically clean the most throughout the year. But a thorough cleaning and possible remodeling can bring renewed beauty to the room.

Deep clean your bathroom: 

  1. Using a scrub brush and a cloth, clean out the bottom of your bathtub. This is where bacteria lingers so be sure to finish the job off with a home-safe disinfectant spray. Now you’re ready for that relaxing bubble bath! Add a bath mat to the entrance of the bathtub to reduce the possibility of slipping.
  2. Clean the grout, floors, and all sides of your shower. You can even scrub down the shower head. Calcium deposits are not uncommon on shower heads and they can clog the holes where the water pours out. Try pouring ½ cup of water and ½ cup of white vinegar into a bowl and leaving the shower head to soak in it for up to 1 hour to loosen the deposits.
  3. Use a toilet scrub brush to get deep into the bottom of the toilet. What you can’t see can hurt you, so scrub underneath the toilet rim and rinse out the tank.
  4. Replace your old shower curtains with new ones. While they might not look it, there could be mold and mildew lurking within the fibers.
  5. Add a scented candle to freshen up the space even further!

Living Room Cleaning

The living room needs the most attention since you and your family spend the most time lounging around in it. 

Our spring cleaning tips for your living room:

  1. Dust collects onto your ceiling fans like flour on a wet surface. Clean off all blades using soap, water, and a rag. To save yourself extra cleaning, be sure to cover your couches and tables before you wipe off the dust. 
  2. If you have any electronics such as wires or a TV, carefully clean these electrical products with soap and a slightly damp cloth. It might be safest to turn off the power breaker before you start cleaning so there’s no risk of accidental electrocution.
  3. Any plants and planters should be carefully dusted.
  4. All tables should be thoroughly cleaned. Any wooden tables should be oiled with the most appropriate oil for the type of wood finish you have. Get them gleaming like new!
  5. Take this time to polish up any other appliances made of wood too. Clean the handrails, side tables, floors, and so on. 
  6. Lint and hair end up under your couches and in the cushions. If you have any cats or pups, your four-legged friends’ fur could collect just about everywhere! Vacuum out your couches and use the proper chemicals to clean the fabric of the cushions.
  7. Vacuum and spot-clean your carpets. Dirt, hair, and stains damage the carpet, so deep-cleaning it will enhance its gorgeous attributes. Also, consider raking your carpet to retain its fluff and comfort.

Bedroom Cleaning

Our bedrooms should serve as a sanctuary. But, of course, we can sometimes let little messes collect over time. Reestablish the sense of serenity in this room with a thorough cleaning!

Regain tranquility in your bedroom:

  1. Your ceiling light will more than likely need a proper dusting and possibly a new light bulb. Before cleaning, make sure your bed and furniture are covered to protect them from those dust bunnies.
  2. Dust off and reorganize your dresser and nightstands. Clean out their drawers while you’re at it too. Sometimes, reorganizing can lead to conserving space that you thought you never had!
  3. Clean off your bedframe and vacuum underneath it. If you have storage under it, reorganize it to your liking.
  4. Your mattress and box spring can collect oils and dust. Vacuum and spot-clean them as necessary. If your mattress is lumpy, it might be time to recycle it and get a new one that will provide you with a better, more relaxing night’s sleep.
  5. You can wash your pillows! Put them through the washer and dryer or hand wash them, add a little bit of bleach, and watch them become plump and cozy without the lumps.
  6. You probably wash your sheets on a regular basis, but have you washed your comforter lately? Wash all of your bedding for a fresh smell!
  7. Reorganize and clean out your closet space to make way for some new clothing! Donate any lightly worn clothes to your local thrift shop or shelter. Move your storage out of the closet to a place where it will be out of the way. 

Basement Cleaning

It’s easy to let your basement collect dust if you don’t spend much time in it or use it for storage. But what better time to clear out the grime and clutter than spring? 

Breathe new life into your basement:  

  1. Clean up and reorganize the entire basement. If you use it as a storage area, move things around and donate anything that you no longer want. If it serves as another living space in the house, treat it like any other room.
  2. Make sure that the insulation is working well and you’re feeling comfortable in the room. Also, check for any air leaks or faulty seals around the windows. 
  3. It’s not a bad idea to invest in a pest and mold inspection for this room. Sometimes, mold and little animals will be in places you would never expect!
  4. Check for water leaks and get them patched up so they don’t ruin more areas of your home. Water damage can be a serious and destructive issue so don’t hesitate to handle it right away! 

Garage Cleaning

Your vehicles and much of your storage are protected in the garage. From grease stains to years of clutter, there can be a lot of ground to cover in this area. 

Organize your garage and workspace: 

  1. Reorganize your storage and clean out all of the corners of the garage. Donate or sell any unwanted items. Remember, if it doesn’t spark joy, there’s no need to hold on to it! 
  2. Remove any oil stains and possibly consider redoing your cement floors if it’s cracked,  chipped, or stained.
  3. Do you have a workbench in your garage? Take out all of your tools, give them a good cleaning, and organize them away neatly. Be sure to sweep the floors for any sawdust or loose hardware. 
  4. Get pest control inspections for this area of the house too so those critters don’t have a place to stay in your nice home!

Patio & Yard Cleaning

Your patio, backyard, and front yard need some TLC throughout the entire year. But what better time of the year to clean everything up and get the furniture you want for a comfortable outdoor living space 

Usher in the new season on your patio and yard:

  1. Clean off all of your furniture. Use a mild all-purpose cleaner and rag to wipe everything down. Dingy past the point of no return? Perhaps it’s time for some new furniture!
  2. After the long winter and all the adverse weather is can bring, your patio flooring will need some serious cleaning. For concrete or wood, consider using a pressure sprayer to blast off caked-on dirt. 
  3. Pluck away those pesky weeds away as soon as they start growing.
  4. Cut your grass and trim your bushes to proper lengths so they can remain healthy.
  5. Prepare your garden bed for the next planting season. Remove weeds and unwanted debris that could be hindering the growth of your beautiful plants.
  6. Call pest control to do a full inspection of your yards and garden so you don’t have to deal with bugs during the nice, warm weather.

Exterior Cleaning

Exterior cleaning is vital to start the spring and summer months off right! Now that the weather is starting to warm up, it’s a good idea to work on the exterior and repair any issues the cold weather may have created. 

Get your exterior in tip-top shape:

  1. Your roof and gutters should be inspected by a professional roofing contractor local to your region. They will check for any possible weathering, loose shingles, or debris clogging your gutters.
  2. If you have any balconies or other forms of decking, they should be cleaned off and inspected for any damages or hazards. Use soap and water to remove what the weather brought in.
  3. Repaint any areas of the exterior of your home that you think may need some extra love and attention. If you notice peeling paint or chips, it’s time to repaint your entire home – maybe even try on a new color!

Plumbing and HVAC Repairs

Before the weather gets nice again, you’ll want to make sure that winter didn’t damage your plumbing or HVAC system. This might not be the most exciting part of the spring cleaning process but it is important to keep your home in safe working condition. 

Assess any potential plumbing or HVAC problems:

  1. Have a plumber come out to check for possible leaks. If you notice a leak, write it down and have it repaired. 
  2. Keep your eye out for signs of mold around high-moisture areas or anywhere you may have experienced a leak. Contact a professional immediately if you notice an outbreak. 
  3. Rust settles in on older piping and appliances. Check for any rust in the plumbing system or appliances such as faucets.
  4. Sewage and garbage disposal backup are serious issues that can destroy your home. Make sure the plumber has a look for any possible backup.
  5. Your water heater went through a lot during the winter season with the cold temperatures. Check to make sure your water heater is running properly along with your boiler or furnace. Call your local HVAC company if you want a professional opinion. 

Redecorate Your Home

Now that we have the business out of the way, it’s time for the fun part of spring cleaning! Consider redecorating your home to fit your style this year. You can start with picking out new furniture pieces. If you already love what you have, build a new theme around it! 

When redecorating your home, follow the theme you’ve created with your furniture choices. Cohesive decorating is made easier if you match the decor to the personality of the room. 

Get some throws, diffusers, pillows, or even a new rug. Set a new welcome mat outside your front door to welcome your guests once we have the green light to gather again. Or perhaps, throw up some wall decorations to create a cozier, more welcoming atmosphere.

If you’re looking to make your sanctuary more luxurious and comfortable this spring, we have a wide selection of home goods items that we’ve curated especially for the stylish homeowner. We want to help you smile every time you wake up in your home. That’s why we’ve hand-picked some of the most elegant items for the savvy decorator. 

Use this Spring Cleaning Checklist to give your home a facelift this year that says “me” in every room. Let us know what some of your favorite tips for cleaning, organizing, and redecorating your home are!