How do you take care of spring cleaning when you don’t feel like cleaning? You follow this handy checklist for spring cleaning.
One task a day for a month and you’re done – or, do them all in a day, as each one only takes a few minutes!
It’s that time again, friends! Spring is in the air, and it’s time to clean the house! Ugh!
What do you do when you need to clean, but it is the very last thing on your list that you want to do?
For me, I skip the big stuff and worry about quick, easy cleaning projects that only need to be done once in a while.
And take less than ten minutes to do.
And actually make a difference.
Am I crazy?
No, I have a whole list of these things!
The really great news is, once I complete this list, not only do I feel I’ve accomplished some worthwhile cleaning, but I am actually MORE motivated to get to the serious cleaning projects!
So I guess I could title this post, “What to Clean When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning to Get You Motivated to Clean”.
But that’s a little too convoluted, even for me.
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Spring Cleaning When You Don’t Feel Like Cleaning
I’ll admit to being spoiled living here in Southern California, although it’s only been for just under two years. It has been cold and rainy this year, definitely not the winter I was expecting – sometimes I felt like I was back in Virginia!
However, the last couple of days have been sunny and springlike, and since I love the warm seasons, I’m a happy lady.
Much as I want to spend every warm moment outdoors, my house needs some serious cleaning right about now. And I’m not just talking about maintenance cleaning, folks.
I’m talking about (whispers stage left) Spring Cleaning.
Why is Spring Cleaning Necessary?
Our whole-house renovations are finally finished, and the last project was changing the carpeting upstairs. This means that everything upstairs came downstairs during the installation.
And the old carpet was just so old.
Dirt and dust and yuck are everywhere.
There have been plenty of days in my life when I was perfectly content to spend my day cleaning the house. I wish one of those days would arrive right now but unfortunately, it just feels like so. much. work.
The older I get, the less I want to clean my house. Can’t somebody else do it for me??
I don’t wanna do maintenance cleaning. I don’t wanna do deep, intense Spring Cleaning. I just don’t. Because the house really needs it, I am feeling completely unmotivated. Waah, waah, waah – adult temper tantrum.
How do I change my attitude and find the motivation to get started on my Spring Cleaning?
How to Motivate Yourself to Do the Cleaning
I know a lot of people really like maintenance cleaning schedules.
As organized as I am, I have never been one of those people. I don’t want to assign Mondays for bathrooms and Tuesdays for the kitchen, etc.
And I definitely don’t want to get into anything that involves washing windows and scrubbing walls.
Not in my current mood.
“Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?”
Phyllis Diller
So what’s an unmotivated woman to do?
Enter my revised cleaning schedule!
I’ve come up with 30 days worth of quick and easy projects that will help me on my way to a cleaner house without overwhelming my current lazy attitude.
These are not ongoing tasks like cleaning bathrooms or sweeping the floor.
They are projects that do need to be done every-so-often and friends, they will make a difference in the appearance of my home.
Who knows, maybe once I knock out this list, I’ll regain the motivation to do the bigger, heavier chores, too! I’m hopeful, so I will leave that option open!
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”
Amelia Earhart
If you are having trouble jumping on the Spring Cleaning train, check out my list and you’ll see that these really are easy, yet impactful projects.
I’m looking forward to that sense of satisfaction when I can say that I’ve completed the entire list, and really, it’s only going to take a month.
I’ve got this – how about you?
31 Days of Quick & Easy Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring Cleaning Week One:
Day One: Wash the front door, inside & out
Day Two: Sweep the front porch & walkway
Day Three: Wipe down the outside of all kitchen appliances
How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances:
- Apply a small amount of either the vinegar or dish soap directly onto a cloth.
- Rub the cloth onto the surface of the appliance.
- Use circular motions to cover the surface completely, spending extra time and pressure on resistant stains.
- Use a clean towel and a SMALL amount of either olive oil or baby oil to polish the cleaned surface.
- Wipe away any remaining residue with a clean, dry cloth.
Day Four: Scrub the kitchen sink, faucet, & dish drainer
Day Five: Pour ice into garbage disposal & run it to sharpen the blades
Day Six: Organize the spice rack, discard all expired spices
How to Determine the Expiration Date of Spices:
- Check the spice canister for an expiration date
- Whole spices will stay fresh for about 4 years
- Ground spices will stay fresh for 3 to 4 years
- Dried leafy herbs last for 1 to 3 years
Day Seven: Wash everyone’s lunchboxes
How to Clean an Insulated Cloth Lunchbox:
- Most (but not all) insulated cloth lunchboxes can be washed in the washing machine on the gentle cycle.
- They can also be washed by hand using a wet cloth and small amount of dish soap.
- Always allow them to air dry – do not put them in the dryer.
Spring Cleaning Week Two:
Day Eight: Wash the kitchen utensil caddy
Day Nine: Wash pet food bowls & mats
Day Ten: Sort pet toys, toss any that are worn out or unsafe
Day Eleven: Wipe down washing machine & dryer on the outside, clean the soap dispensers
Day Twelve: Dust the tops of interior doors & windows
Day Thirteen: Dust picture frames, mirrors, & wall art
Day Fourteen: Wipe down all doorknobs, spray with disinfectant
Spring Cleaning Week Three:
Day Fifteen: Clean fingerprints off all light switches
Day Sixteen: Wipe down outlet covers, the doorbell chime, & the H/VAC controller
Day Seventeen: Dust televisions, wipe off any stray prints or marks
How to Remove Spots and Marks from a Television Screen:
- Television screens scratch easily
- Wipe them gently with a soft microfiber cloth and never use paper towels or other abrasive materials.
- Alcohol and ammonia are particularly damaging and should never be used on the screens.
Day Eighteen: Change the batteries in smoke detectors & flashlights
Day Nineteen: Clean & disinfect tv remotes, game controllers, & phones
How to Clean TV Remote Controls and Game Controllers:
- Remove the batteries before cleaning.
- Dislodge debris by holding the controller upside down and shaking or tapping gently against your palm to dislodge loose dust and debris.
- Wipe down with a microfiber cloth barely dampened with water and white vinegar.
- To clean around the buttons, use a dampened cotton swab or soft toothbrush.
Day Twenty: Dust the fireplace mantel, freshen up any outdated decor
Day Twenty-one: Dust & clean fireplace screens or doors
How to Clean Fireplace Glass:
For a wood-burning fireplace, scrub the glass clean with newspaper and leftover ashes. Wipe in a circular motion to loosen the soot.
Spring Cleaning Week Four:
Day Twenty-two: Wash window sills
Day Twenty-three: Clean stair banisters & railings
Day Twenty-four: Clean out medicine cabinets & dispose of any expired medications
Day Twenty-five: Wash & disinfect bath toys
Day Twenty-six: Clear all drains w/a mix of baking soda, vinegar & hot water
How to Maintain Open Drains in Sinks, Showers, and Bathtubs:
Note: These directions are for maintenance cleanings, and are not meant to repair or open clogged drains.
- Loosen drain debris by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
- Allow the water to sit for a few minutes.
- Dump a ½ cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain. When combined there will be a vigorous foaming action.
- Close or cover the drain if possible to keep the chemical reaction inside the drain.
- Allow the soda and vinegar to bubble for about 15 minutes.
- Pour a second pot of boiling water down the drain, or run very hot water from the tap for several minutes.
Day Twenty-seven: Sort makeup products, toss any outdated products, & wash the makeup case or organizer
- Lipstick – 2 years
- Lipgloss – 1 year
- Mascara – 3 months
- Liquid Eyeliner – 6 months
- Pencil Eyeliner – 2 years
- Liquid Foundation, Blush, Bronzer – 1 year
- Powder Foundation, Blush, Bronzer, Eyeshadow – 2 years
- Concealer – 1 year
- Nail Polish – 2-3 years, or until it smells bad and/or separates
Day Twenty-eight: Clean makeup brushes
Day Twenty-nine: Clean & disinfect hairbrushes & combs
Day Thirty: Clean hair appliances – blowdryer, straightener, etc.
Day Thirty-one: Sweep the garage floor
And, that’s a wrap! Excellent work!
Now, grab a cold glass of lemonade and relax on the porch for a while. You’ve earned it!
Related Posts:
- House Cleaning: 5 Bad Habits You Need to Stop Doing
- The One Big Tip For Hassle-Free Laundry
- Goodbye, Laundry Detergent! Why I Made the Switch to Earth Breeze
- The Complete Guide to Wool Blanket Care
- Smart Ways to Simplify Housework
Final Thoughts on 31 Days of Cleaning: All the Little Things You Often Miss
Just after I published this post last year, I felt an unexpected burst of energy, and I actually completed every one of these tasks in a day!
And that is how I can confidently assure you that each one takes just about ten minutes or less to complete.
I love this Lori and thank you for sharing as I feel the same way! I have to do one on one schedule like you outline here. Now I got my motivation to do the same!
Well, at least you have time at home now to work on it, right? Get those kiddos to help you out! Hope all is well and the whole family is healthy!
I love this approach to cleaning! Doing a little something each day makes spring cleaning less daunting. There are so many jobs here that I never even thought of, so thank you for the inspiration and ideas! I’m going to be cleaning at the weekend, so this post has come at the perfect time <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Some of these tasks are kind of uncommon – but they are even more important with COVID-19 hanging around! I’m glad you found some inspiration! Thanks for reading!
Now, this is what I call serious cleaning:) I am of the blitz cleaning school of housework. I need it done fast so I can forget about it for a while. This list reminded me of a few things I need to take care of 🙂
This is a very lovely blog. Having this kind of checklist will be absolutely helpful for us. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I’m glad you found it useful! Thanks for reading.
Lori