It’s That Time of Year Again: Spring Cleaning Supplies Checklist (Part 1)

Our Pinterest theme this week was spring cleaning & organizing, which was perfect timing not only for the gorgeous weather we’re receiving (it’s supposed to be in the high 80s all this week and next.  In March.  In Kentucky.  I’m thrilled.) but because I’d been planning to start writing a cleaning and organizing series.

Throughout the series we’ll also talk specific areas of your home (closets, pantry, that pesky junk drawer), must-have (and completely-love) products, storage, how to stay organized once you’re done, and other themes.  But I thought spring cleaning was a great topic to start with, so we’ll start with a spring cleaning checklist.

Here in Part 1 you’ll find a spring cleaning supplies checklist, a quick cleaning guide, and some tips.  The spring cleaning checklist can be found in Part 2, and breaks the checklist down room by room.

Spring Cleaning Supplies Checklist

• An all-purpose cleaner
• Antibacterial kitchen spray cleaner
• Bathroom cleaner
• Dusting spray/furniture polish
• Microfiber cloths
• Paper towels
• Rubber gloves
• Sponges
• Scrub brush
• Broom & dustpan
• Mop & bucket
• Vacuum
• Trash bags
• Laundry basket (or similar portable catch-all container)

General Tips

• Work your way from the top down; you don’t want to have to re-vacuum after dusting your ceiling fan and lamps.
• Carry a laundry basket with you from room to room; whatever does not belong in the room you’re cleaning, toss into the basket and then return everything to it’s home.
• Clean artificial plants by filling a paper bag large enough to hold the plant with table salt, removing the plant from it’s container if possible, and placing it in the bag flora-side down.  Shake to settle the salt around the plant, and then shake vigirously; let sit, shake again, and remove from the bag.  Use a small paint brush (or an old makeup brush) to brush away any remaining salt from between the leaves.

All Around The House

• Open all windows to air your home out
• Wipe down ceilings and walls.  In the kitchen, you might need to break out a de-greaser (but spot-test it first to ensure it doesn’t discolor or damage your wall coverings).
• Dust!  Be sure to hit the tops of ceiling fans, windows, baseboards, knickknacks, artificial plants, etc.  For book and decorative shelves, remove all books and other items; dust each one individually, then dust the shelves.
• Vacuum and shampoo all carpets and rugs.
• Remove and clean all window treatments; dust blinds, vacuum (with brush attachment) or wash curtains.
• With treatments down, wash windows inside & out, and remove and wash screens.
• Change the batteries in all smoke detectors.
• Replace filters in your furnace, air conditioner, and humidifiers.

Jot down your spring cleaning supplies checklist and then head over to Part 2 for your room by room spring cleaning checklist!

What are your must-have spring cleaning supplies?