Seasonal Cleaning
We've all heard the term "Spring Cleaning" but what does that involve? Does that mean that there's "Fall Cleaning" and what does that call for? To help with these questions, we've put together lists of the top things you can do to remove all the grunge from your home, no matter the season.
Top Things to do in Spring
Even if you keep your house clean on a weekly and monthly basis, a deep clean after winter will help freshen your home and get rid of any dirt, dust, pet hair and grime that may have built up over the long winter season. There are certain things that make more sense to do in the spring than at any other time of year. Here is a list of our favourites.
Whole House
- To bring in all that extra light, clean windows, and window screens, both inside and out, clean all your window treatments, and clean your ceiling light fixtures.
- Now you can see how dirty your walls are! Dust with a slightly damp, clean cloth. Wash walls only if needed.
- Dust ceiling fans and wipe blades using a damp microfibre cloth.
- Vacuum cold air returns and furnace vents. Damp wipe them clean.
- Wash garbage, recycle and compost bins inside the house with hot soapy water and disinfect them (if needed) using 2 tbsp bleach to 4 cup water.
- Check and replace furnace filters, if needed. Write on the new filters the date they were replaced to make it easier to remember.
- Check and replace batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and outside security cameras.
- Uncover and clean your air conditioner and get it ready to go, according to your manual.
- Clean and demineralize your humidifier filter; you can use vinegar. This makes it ready for when the air gets drier next fall.
- Shake out and air outside all area mats and small carpets.
- Clean indoor and outdoor doormats to prevent new dirt from coming inside.
Kitchen
- Empty the pantry and go through food items; get rid of any outdated items. For a general guideline on how long you should be storing pantry items, see How to Store Food Safely.
- Clean your oven.
- Clean outside of kitchen cabinet doors. Use a wood cabinet conditioner, if needed.
- Fully clean and defrost your refrigerators and freezers.
- Ensure your dishes are getting clean by cleaning your dishwasher. https://www.atcoblueflamekitchen.com/en-ca/how-to/cleaning-dishwasher.html
Bedrooms
- Clear out the clothes closets and change out winter gear to spring stuff. We have tips for rotating your seasonal wardrobe.
- Reorganize your clothes closets with new shelves or boxes and bins. This one is high on the self-satisfaction scale.
- Vacuum bed mattresses and turn over or rotate.
- Clean bed pillows and comforters. Replace with lighter-weight bedding or remove extra blankets, if desired.
- Thoroughly clean all children’s toys.
Bathrooms
- Take apart and clean bathroom fans.
- Clean outside bathroom cabinet doors.
- Go through bathroom cabinets and remove any old or expired products. Pack up unused and expired prescriptions and bring them to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
- Check your tiles and bathtub for signs of mould or mildew. If necessary, disinfect with a bleach solution (2 tbsp bleach in 4 cups water).
- Clean your grout. Use a commercial grout cleaner or wrap an old toothbrush with a damp cloth, sprinkle baking soda on the cloth and gently scrub the grout. Rinse well with clean water.
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Fall Cleaning
Top Things to Do in Fall
Certain things should be on your “to do” list in the fall and getting these done now will mean you are more prepared for the holiday season. Here are some of our favourites:
1. Clean windows and window screens, both inside and out, clean your window treatments, and clean your ceiling light fixtures; they will be ready to sparkle this festive season.
2. Dust ceiling fans and wipe blades using a damp microfibre cloth. Take apart and clean bathroom fans and grills.
3. Vacuum cold air returns and furnace vents. Damp wipe them clean.
4. Empty the pantry and refrigerator, go through food items; get rid of any outdated items. For a general guideline on how long you should be storing food items, see How to Store Food Safely.
5. Clean and wash pantry and refrigerator. The refrigerator will be ready for extra dishes for the upcoming holiday meals.
6. Clean inside kitchen cupboard drawers and shelves.
7. Clean the oven so it is ready for holiday baking.
8. Clean behind the stove and refrigerator.
9. Clean outside of kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. Use a wood cabinet conditioner, if needed.
10. Clear out the clothes closets and change out spring and summer clothing to winter clothes. Separate clothing that needs to go to the dry cleaner and items that need to be machine washed.
11. Vacuum bed mattresses and rotate.
12. Clean bed pillows and comforters. Replace with heavier-weight bedding or add extra blankets, if desired.
13. Dust walls with a slightly damp, clean floor mop. Wash walls only if needed. Wash around light switch plates.
14. Wash garbage, recycle and compost bins inside the house with hot soapy water and disinfect them (if needed) using a disinfecting solution.
15. Check and replace furnace filters, if needed. Write on the new filters the date they were replaced to make it easier to remember.
16. Check and replace batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and outside security cameras, unless already done in spring.
17. Clean and cover your air conditioner unit, according to your manual.
18. Clean the heating and ventilation system following manufacturer’s instructions.
19. Shake out and air outside all area mats and small carpets.
20. Clean indoor and outdoor doormats to prevent new dirt from coming inside.
Embrace Each Season with a Fresh Start
As the seasons change, it's essential to give your home a thorough cleaning. Our seasonal cleaning tips provide you with a checklist of tasks to tackle in each season, ensuring that your home stays fresh and organized throughout the year. From decluttering and deep cleaning to maintenance and organization, we've got you covered. And when it comes to professional window cleaning, our friends at Rümi are here to help. With their expert window cleaning services, they'll make sure your windows sparkle like new.