Coming Home Magazine

S O F R E S H & S O C L E A N Spring cleaning guide for your home. Knock, knock—it's your home, and it's ready to shake off the old grime, goo, and particle buildup from last year's living. Sweeping out the dust of the chilly months and digging into a deep, total-home spruce-up can be the perfect way to get a fresh start. Our all-encompassing checklist is here to guide you through every room, space, nook, and cranny as you work to clean, dust, and deodorize your way to the ahh-mazing feeling of spring. Helpful Hack: To clean ceiling fans, place an old pillowcase over the blades and slide it off. All the dust will go into the case, making for less mess and easy cleanup. GENERAL • Clean windows and windowsills • Remove and wash screens • Wash curtains and wipe down blinds • Dust and clean ceiling fans and light fixtures • Dust and wipe down corners of rooms • Scrub and wax hardwood floors • Vacuum and shampoo carpets • Clean or beat area rugs • Wipe down switch plates and doorknobs • Wipe down baseboards, heaters, and vents • Test batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors • Check or replace air filters HOME OFFICE • Clean keyboards • Disinfect desk and computer • Replace any chargers with frayed ends • Dust bookshelves and furniture • Polish wood surfaces • Empty, wipe down, and organize drawers • Shred unnecessary paperwork LIVING ROOM • Vacuum sofas and chairs; use upholstery cleaner if necessary • Dust and clean TV and other surfaces • Pull out electronics and vacuum near baseboards • Disinfect remotes • Wipe down and disinfect coffee tables • Sort and dispose of or donate unwanted magazines, DVDs, video games, etc. • Consider refreshing seasonal decor KITCHEN • Wipe down and disinfect microwave and countertop appliances • Empty refrigerator, throw away unwanted food, disinfect interior • Wipe down inside and outside of dishwasher; run through a cleaning cycle • Remove and clean stove burners and drip pans • Run oven through cleaning cycle, wipe out interior • Dust top of fridge • Empty freezer, remove visible debris • Pull out refrigerator and oven, clean and disinfect floor underneath • Wipe down and disinfect kitchen tables and chairs • Wash tablecloths and placemats • Empty all cabinets and drawers, throw away unwanted food, wipe down interiors and exteriors, organize contents • Clean and sanitize countertops • Soak and clean coffeemaker • Dust and reorganize cookbooks • Organize reusable food containers; dispose of those no longer in good shape • Run cleaner/freshener through garbage disposal • Clean or replace caulking around sink BATHROOMS • Empty cabinets and wipe down all interior surfaces; organize contents • Check medicine cabinets for expired medications; dispose of expired or unwanted medications safely • Clean mirrors • Wipe out sink(s) • Unclog drains • Wipe down shower doors, walls, and bathtubs • Wipe down faucets • Clean interior and exterior of toilet • Launder rugs and exterior shower curtains • Replace interior shower curtain • Clean vent fans • Scrub grout BEDROOMS • Remove all clothes from dresser drawers, wipe down interiors and exteriors, replace clothes • Remove all items from closet floors, organize • Organize shoes • Rotate mattress • Launder sheets, duvet cover, and mattress cover ENTRYWAY/OUTDOORS • Clean rugs • Replace light bulbs • Clean glass doors • Remove and clean screen doors • Power wash outdoor areas, including siding and walkways • Pull weeds and unwanted plants • Wipe down doors and touch up paint Helpful Hack: Use a can of compressed air to blast crumbs and debris from the crevices of your keyboard. Helpful Hack: Toss a few small lemon peels down the garbage disposal to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. Helpful Hack: Never spray liquids on your TV screen. Gently clean the screen with a so, dry microfiber cloth. Helpful Hack: Use a dryer sheet to wipe down shower doors. It removes soap scum and leaves the glass looking shiny. Helpful Hack: You should rotate your mattress at least twice a year. Turn it in the spring, flip it in the fall. Helpful Hack: Mixing cup of dish soap with gallon of water creates the perfect cleaning solution for screens.

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