Spring-cleaning: We dread it and we procrastinate for as long as we can until we finally give in. It’s no secret that spending an entire weekend cleaning sounds like an absolute nightmare – but with a little elbow grease and a lot of willpower, it’s easier than it sounds.
We asked three professionals to share their best spring-cleaning tips with us.
On a Friday night: Make a plan
“Before you get started, decide how much cleaning you can handle,” says elite cleaner Jacqueline Yardan. “Is this a single day of cleaning the most important areas or a multi-day project of cleaning every corner and reorganising every drawer?”
Make a list
“Once you’ve figured how much you want to tackle, write down all the tasks you plan to handle,” she says. “If you are planning to clean over a weekend, break down the tasks day by day. Having a clear list of everything you need to clean will help you determine the supplies as well as your schedule (because you’ll definitely need to take breaks to relax!)”
Time yourself
“Decide on an interval (30 or 45 minutes is a good place to start), and set a timer,” she says. “Clean in a focused manner during that time, and when the timer goes off, treat yourself to a break.”
Schedule backup. “Spring-cleaning is a daunting task,” she says. If some tasks that seem overwhelming or overly complicated, she suggests outsourcing part of the job – and claiming back your life.
Your to-do list
- Make a plan
- Write a list
- Schedule everything
- Call in a backup
Total time: One hour
On Saturday morning: Declutter first
Start with your closets
“Rid your closets of clothing, shoes, and accessories that you haven’t worn for a full season,” says Jacquie Denny, the founder and chief development officer of Everything But the House. “If you didn’t wear it over the winter, you are not going to wear it next winter.”
Edit your home office
“The home office is another space that should be addressed,” she says. “Once you’ve filed your taxes, file or shred that stack of paperwork and organise the pile of correspondence that has gathered.” This may also be a good time to organise your computer and make sure all your paperwork is filed digitally.
Streamline your kitchen
“For every house I see, the kitchen always has the most clutter,” she says. “Get rid of the outliers: glasses that don’t match, those random logo mugs, or pots and pans that are in poor condition. Let go of those items you thought you needed but have not used.” Try similarly editing your refrigerator and pantry.
Your to-do list
- Swap wardrobes and donate unwanted clothes
- Organise your paperwork, and clean your computer
- Clean out the fridge and pantry
Total time: Three to four hours
On Saturday afternoon: Proceed room-by-room
Clear out each room first
“Moving furniture out of the room before you tackle cleaning floors should be a no-brainer, but you’d be shocked at how many people just mop or vacuum around the edges,” Yardan says. “For a proper spring-cleaning, get everything out of the way so you can leave every inch of your floors sparkling.”
Ban dust bunnies
“Start from the top of the room, and work your way down,” says professional home stager Tori Toth. “Wipe down the ceiling, fan or light fixtures, the walls, baseboards, and all the furniture in the room. Make sure to move appliances, and look high and low to remove all dust.” Yardan also believes in the power of thorough dusting: “Moldings are dust magnets, but they are often overlooked,” she says. “Try running a dryer sheet over them to quickly and easily trap the dust that gathers there.”
Ditch the paper towels
Get down and dirty with your kitchen, but do it smartly. “A deep-clean of your kitchen can set you back four or five rolls of paper towels,” Yardan says. “Save the trees and your wallet by purchasing reusable microfiber cloths, which can be used to clean everything from mirrors and appliances to tricky spots on the floor – and they’re machine-washable to boot!”
Clean stainless steel
Give your appliances an inside-out makeover. “To clean your stainless steel, start by putting a small amount of Dawn on your cloth, rub it into the cloth, and rub with the grain,” Toth says. “Take a second microfiber cloth, put a few drops of baby oil on it, and again, rub with the grain of the metal. I love this eco-friendly solution to a super-common problem.”
Your to-do list
- Dust surfaces, shelves, vents, and baseboards
- Clean your kitchen cupboards
- Clean appliances inside and out
- Check smoke detectors
Total time: Three to four hours
On Sunday Morning: Clean forgotten spaces
Wash your fabric
“The fabric around a home can collect dust and bacteria,” Toth says. “Plan on washing curtains, pillows, blankets, bedding, and rugs. Have carpets? Now is the time to shampoo them to get rid of winter’s foot tracks. Also be sure to vacuum furniture and mattresses.” Take a few minutes to flip your mattress, which should be done every six months or so.
Wash your windows
“Use a glass cleaner and a squeegee, no real scrubbing required,” Toth says. “You will add double the light in your home if you wipe away the grime of the cold winter months.”
Sweat the details
“Use cotton wool tips dunked in white vinegar to clean window tracks and sliding doors,” Yardan says. “Grimy window tracks will stand out glaringly when the windowpanes and sills are clean, so don’t neglect them.”
Make your grout shine
Go beyond your average bathroom cleaning. “If you have tile around the home, chances are your grout has seen better days,” Toth says. “This is a tedious task, but schedule some time to clean those grout lines with a grout stain or bleach pen to restore the colour and refresh the room. Make sure to re-caulk areas that are discoloured around tubs or sinks too.”
Your to-do list:
- Clean upholstered furniture, curtains, and rugs
- Flip your mattress
- Wash your windows
- Deep-clean the shower and tub
Total time: Three to four hours
On Sunday Afternoon: Bring life back
Go beyond cleaning
“Once you’ve put in the cleaning work, reward yourself and your home with a decor update,” Yardan says. “That accent wall you’ve craved, the TV you’ve meant to mount, or the closet organiser you keep pinning? Go for it.” While you update your decor, switch your heavy winter bedding for fresh new sheets.
Add a potted plant
“Flowers and grass will begin to grow this spring, so add some life in your space too,” Toth says. “You can easily add a pop of colour or some life to your space by freshening up your plants. Get in the mood for spring with a fresh scented candle, and enjoy the fruit of your labor with a glass of wine.”
Your to-do list:
- Tackle outstanding tasks
- Swap your bedding
- Add a few plants
- Light a fresh scent
Total time: Two to three hours
