Monday, October 29, 2012

My Seasonal Cleaning & Organizing Checklist


If you're a regular follower of my little blog, you already know that I'm pretty passionate about keeping a neat, clean and organized home.

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments and emails regarding my newest series of organization posts!  It's comforting to know I'm not the only one with my 'customized version' of OCD!!!


Many of you have also written to me asking if I'd be willing to post my housekeeping lists and schedules.  So today, I'm sharing with you my 'Seasonal Cleaning & Organizing Checklist'.

I typically tackle these chores throughout March/April as time allows, and then again in September/October. 

Please note that this seasonal schedule doesn't include outside chores or items on my weekly house cleaning schedule.  (I'll be sharing that checklist with you in a future post.)

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Spring / Fall Cleaning & Organizing Checklist

Closets:
1.  Remove all items from closets and wash walls and floors.
2.  Wash out-of-season clothing and store in sealed storage containers.
3.  Donate items that are no longer needed.
4.  Organize and hang seasonal clothes in bedroom closets.
5.  Organize and hang seasonal jackets/coats in hall closets.
6.  Sort seasonal accessories in organizer on back of coat closet door.

Walls, Windows and Ceilings:
1.  Wash walls, switch plates, doors and baseboards.
2.  Touch up wall and trim paint.
3.  Dust hanging artwork and picture frames. 
4.  Wash windows, tracks and screens.
5.  Wash/clean window coverings and clean blinds.
6.  Dust ceiling corners as needed.
7.  Clean light fixtures.
8.  Test smoke detectors and change batteries.

Furniture and Floors:
1.  Steam clean or spot clean upholstered furniture as needed.
2.  Clean under and behind all furniture.
3.  Repair/touch up any digs and scratches on wood furniture.
4.  Steam clean carpets.
5.  Repair/touch up any scratches on hardwood floors.
6.  Clean heat registers and inside of floor vents.

Kitchen and Pantry:
1.  Empty and clean inside of kitchen cupboards, drawers and pantry.
2.  Reorganize and replace kitchen items.  Donate any unneeded items.
3.  Clean behind fridge and stove.  Vacuum coils on back of refrigerator.
4.  Empty, clean and organize fridge and freezer.  Discard any expired food.
5.  Clean above kitchen cupboards and top of fridge. Lay down fresh wax paper.
6.  Thoroughly clean outside of kitchen cupboard doors and drawers.
7.  Thoroughly clean inside of dishwasher, toaster and coffee maker.

Bathrooms, Laundry Room and Linen Closet:
1.  Empty and clean inside of bathroom/laundry cupboards and linen closet.
2.  Reorganize and replace items in cupboards and closet.
3.  Donate unneeded items and discard any expired medicines and cosmetics.
4.  Clean behind washer and dryer.
5.  Thoroughly clean dryer duct and inside of washer and dryer.

Basement and Garage:
1.  Sort and reorganize storage bins, tools, gardening and paint supplies.
2.  Donate any items that are no longer needed.
3.  Sweep/wash garage floor.
4.  Empty canister for built-in vacuum.
5.  Change furnace filter and clean utility room.
6.  Clean and reorganize cold storage room.  Discard any expired food.

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The key to successfully completing all of the items on your checklist is to create a calendar and schedule in each chore.  Set realistic goals, giving yourself plenty of time to complete each task.  Also consider grouping like-chores together, such as those requiring the same cleaning supplies.

Seasonal cleaning takes time and effort, but, if you follow a cleaning and organizing routine throughout the year, these additional jobs are much easier to tackle.

So, turn on some great music, grab your favorite cleaning products, and enjoy the process of giving your home the TLC it deserves!


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