The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist: Get Your Home Sparkling

Keeping a comfortable living space by regularly cleaning and tidying up is important. The most challenging cleaning task of the year is undoubtedly the annual spring cleaning. Spring has arrived, and the pressure of "when" and "where" to start cleaning begins to occupy our minds. Some of us may have even experienced the burden of spring cleaning taking over, resulting in unfinished tasks that carry over into the next season.

 

Preparing well in advance to complete the spring cleaning task is crucial. From scheduling and prioritizing cleaning tasks to gathering the necessary cleaning tools, thorough preparation is key to embracing a clean and organized home. This article will introduce tips for preparing and executing spring cleaning. 

 

Preparing for Spring Cleaning: Decluttering and Planning Your Cleaning Schedule 

 

Before starting the spring cleaning, you must do something first. That is to declutter your home by reviewing your clothes, miscellaneous items, and kitchen supplies. Decide what to keep and what to get rid of.

 

Once you've decluttered, set aside a day or two for cleaning. Don't try to do everything in one day, or you'll exhaust yourself. If you have a big house, consider separating it into smaller sections and cleaning it individually.

 

Make a list of what needs to be cleaned in each room and estimate how long each task will take. This will help you stay on track and make sure you finish everything. Keep a note of the necessary tools and supplies so you don't have to keep running back to the store.

 

Giving yourself plenty of time to complete your cleaning is the key to completing spring cleaning. Once you've done all this, consider the order in which you want to clean things and make a feasible schedule. 

 

Below is an example of a two-day spring cleaning schedule and practice. Please use this as a reference for your spring cleaning.

 

Kitchen (Day 1/Morning)

 

 

Spread a towel over the sink and place a garbage bag on top. Put the range hood filter, fan, and stove grates into the sink. Fill the sink with water at 40-50℃ and add 100g of baking soda. After 20 minutes, scrub the parts with a brush or sponge. For stubborn stains on non-removable parts, spray a baking soda solution of 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 200ml of lukewarm water onto a cloth, wipe the area, and dry it off.

 

While the parts are soaking in the baking soda solution, remove the dust from the kitchen lighting, ceiling, and walls, and clean the cooking appliances with a damp cloth. Clean the stove and cupboard, and finish by cleaning the sink to make the whole kitchen sparkling clean.

 

Bathroom (Day 1 / Afternoon)

 

 

In the bathroom, spray bathroom cleaner on areas where mould and water stains tend to accumulate, such as the joint between the wall and floor. While waiting for the cleaner to work, clean the ceiling and walls. 

 

Wrap kitchen paper around a floor mop to clean the ceiling and wipe it with alcohol-based disinfectant. For the walls, spray with cleaner and scrub with a sponge.

 

The bathroom exhaust fan should be cleaned 3-4 times a year, as dust buildup can cause mould to develop. Turn off the fan's power, remove the cover, and clean out dust or debris. Once that's done, clean the inside of the bathtub and then tackle the dirt on the walls and floor.

 

Windows (Day 1/Afternoon)

 

 

 

The inside of windows collects dust and oil stains, while the outside gathers exhaust fumes, dirt, and pollen. To clean windows, remove any dust and debris from the window frame and tracks, then wipe the windows. Using handy tools such as microfiber cloths or window squeegees can help you finish the cleaning quickly.

  

After cleaning the window frames and tracks, move on to the glass. First, remove any dust or debris on window glass using a dry cloth or brush. Then mix equal water and vinegar or use a window cleaning solution. Next, dip a squeegee or microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and wipe the glass horizontally. Use a dry cloth or another side of the squeegee to remove any excess cleaning solution from the window. For stubborn spots or streaks, use a lint-free cloth to spot clean. Finally, wipe the edges of the window with a dry cloth to finish the cleaning process.

 

Toilet (Day 1/Afternoon)

 

 

The toilet is not only the toilet bowl but also the walls and floor where bacteria that cause odour can adhere. Let's thoroughly clean them during this spring cleaning. 

 

For cleaning the walls, use lukewarm water and citric acid. First, dissolve a small spoonful of citric acid in 200 ml of lukewarm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the citric acid solution on the dirty areas of the walls and floor and wipe them off with a cloth. When cleaning the walls, also clean the dust on the ventilation fan on the ceiling.

 

You may be cleaning the toilet bowl regularly, but surprisingly, the remaining yellow stains are removed using acidic detergent. Place several sheets of toilet paper on the yellow-stained area, pour acidic detergent on them, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then, remove the toilet paper and scrub the yellow stain with a brush before flushing it with water. When using acidic detergent, be careful not to touch it with your hands and turn on the ventilation fan. After cleaning the walls and toilet bowl, use a toilet floor cleaning sheet or similar to clean the floor.

 

Bedroom (Day 2/Morning)

 

 

 

The bedroom has a lot of fabric items, and house dust can float in the air or fall on the floor. During the spring cleaning, use a floor mop with a dry sheet to quickly remove dust from the walls. After using a handheld mop to remove dust from the furniture, wipe it down with a damp cloth wrung out tightly.

 

Wash bedding and air out the mattress to remove moisture. Finally, vacuum the floor and open the windows for ventilation.

 

Living Room and Dining Room (Day 2 / Morning)

 

 

Start by dusting the ceiling lighting fixtures and then clean the walls and shelves from top to bottom to ensure that any falling dust settles on already cleaned areas. Finally, clean the floor using a floor mop to remove dust and debris, then use a robot vacuum cleaner and finish with a wet mop.

 

Since the floor can accumulate sebum stains and other dirt, using a wet mop may not always suffice. In such cases, use a damp cloth soaked in warm water to wipe the floor. 

Don't forget to clean the air conditioner while cleaning the ceiling and walls. Remove the filter and wash it thoroughly. Clean the surface of the air conditioner by using a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth that has been wrung out.

 

Washroom (Day 2/Afternoon)

 

 

Until now, we've been using cloth for cleaning in all areas. Therefore, for the washroom cleaning, which involves washing the cloth afterwards, we'll do it towards the end of the cleaning process. In addition to dust, the washroom has water stains and mould.

 

If handprints on the walls have turned black due to dirt, rub a few drops of neutral detergent on a wet cloth, wipe off the dirt, and then wipe with a tightly wrung cloth dampened with water. If there is mould, apply gel-type chlorine bleach on a toothbrush and brush the mould, then wipe it off with a wet cloth.

 

The washbasin has water stains, soap scum, and toothpaste stains. For these, it is useful to use bath cleaner. Spray the bath cleaner, lightly scrub with a soft sponge, and rinse with water.

 

For the drain and faucet parts, spray bath cleaner and lightly brush with a toothbrush to remove dirt. Mould may get stuck in the gap between the fixtures, so you can use dental floss with toothpaste to clean even the inside.

 

Cleaning the entranceway (Day 2/Afternoon)

 

 

When cleaning the entranceway, the first step is to remove everything from the floor. Then, use a robot vacuum cleaner to suck up dust or debris. If there are any black spots on the grout or tiles, wipe them with baking soda and water and gently scrub them with a toothbrush or sponge before wiping them down with water.

 

However, if the entranceway floor is made of natural stone, such as marble, it's best to avoid using water as it can cause stains and cracks. Instead, dry cleaning is recommended. If you notice any dullness, use a mild, diluted neutral detergent on a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the floor, and then use a tightly wrung-out cloth to wipe away the detergent and any moisture.

 

Cleaning Tips: "Top to Bottom" and "Back to Front"

 

When it comes to spring cleaning can be a time-consuming task, so it's important to know some time-saving tips to get the job done quickly and efficiently. It's essential to follow two basic rules:

 

1. Top to Bottom
2. Back to Front

 

Starting with the floor or the front of the room may seem like the easiest option, but it can cause dust and debris to fall onto areas that have already been cleaned. Sticking to these fundamental rules and working from top to bottom and back to front is best to avoid cleaning the same areas multiple times.

 

Tips for removing stubborn dirt

 

Knowing the tips for removing stubborn dirt can help you finish cleaning quickly. Especially for stubborn stains, appropriate methods depending on the type of dirt. For example, for oil stains, you can spray baking soda on them, but for stubborn stains, you can stick kitchen paper on the dirt after spraying and leave it for a while, making it easier to remove the dirt.

 

Soak kitchen paper in chlorine bleach to remove mould from the bathroom or sink and quickly stick it on the stain to remove the dirt. For tougher stains, it's important to use specialized cleaning products or tools to save time and effort during your cleaning. Wear rubber gloves or a mask for safety when using strong cleaning agents.

 

Choosing the Right Cleaning Agents for Efficient Deep Cleaning 

 

When it comes to deep cleaning, it's important to use the right cleaning agent for each type of dirt. Common cleaning agents include baking soda, citric acid, and sodium sesquicarbonate, but each should be used based on the type of dirt you're dealing with - whether it's acidic or alkaline.

 

Knowing which cleaning agent to use for different types of dirt is a key point in efficiently completing your cleaning tasks. Remember that baking soda and sodium sesquicarbonate are great for removing oil and sebum stains, while citric acid is effective for removing water stains. It's helpful to note which cleaning agent to use for each area when making your cleaning schedule.

 

Grease and oil stains (acidic stains)

 

Grease stains on the floor or walls and oil stains on the range hood are considered "acidic stains." The same goes for food stains on the floor. To remove these stains, you need to use an alkaline cleaner. Baking soda and sodium sesquicarbonate are alkaline and contain cleaning agents.

 

For mild stains, you can use baking soda water. Prepare a baking soda spray by mixing 2 teaspoons with 200 ml of water in a spray bottle. For stubborn stains, use sodium sesquicarbonate water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of sodium sesquicarbonate in 500 ml of water. After spraying either solution on the stain, wipe it with a damp cloth. If the stain is difficult to remove, try attaching a piece of kitchen paper to the stained area after spraying the solution and leaving it for a while before wiping it with water.

 

Water Stains (alkaline stains)

 

Water stains, soap scum, and the dirt that causes ammonia odour in the toilet are "alkaline stains". To remove them, you need to use acidic detergent. Citric acid is an acidic cleaning agent that can be used for this purpose. Prepare a cleaning solution by dissolving 1 teaspoon of citric acid in 200ml of water. Pour this solution into a spray bottle on the stains, then wipe it off with a wet cloth. This cleaning solution removes dirt and has deodorizing effects, which can be particularly useful for cleaning toilet stains that cause ammonia odour.

 

Leave the floor cleaning to a robot vacuum cleaner

 

 

One time-saving idea for the final touch of the spring cleaning is to leave the floor cleaning, including the living room and dining area, to a robot vacuum cleaner. Because by the time you get to the floor cleaning stage of the spring cleaning, you'll likely be exhausted.

 

Since both suction and mopping are essential for spring cleaning, choosing a robot vacuum cleaner with both functions is recommended. A robot vacuum cleaner, "DEEBOT," is recommended for floor cleaning.

 

More dust and dirt will be on the floor during the spring cleaning. It is time-consuming to clean the robot vacuum cleaner every time you use it, so it is ideal to have an automatic empty function. Therefore, we recommend the DEEBOT robot vacuum cleaners, which can perform suction and mop with one device, and some models even have an automatic empty function. The following three models have these features. 

 

DEEBOT N8+

DEEBOT N8+ is a high-cost model that can vacuum and mop at the same time. It collects dirt with "main brush + two side brushes" and automatically increases the suction power for carpets to pick up even the dirt deep in the carpet. During wet mopping, it also has the intelligence to avoid carpets.

 

In addition, it comes with an automatic empty dust function that collects dust with an automatic empty station. It also has a high-performance mapping function that accurately recognizes and avoids obstacles in the room. The map created by mapping can be confirmed on a smartphone app, and you can give instructions for cleaning only in a specified area using the dedicated app "ECOVACS HOME."

 

DEEBOT T10 PLUS

 

The DEEBOT T10 PLUS has a suction power of 3000Pa and can vacuum and mop simultaneously. In addition, the combination of a high-performance camera and an AI chip allows for accurately detecting obstacles even in dimly lit areas. It can automatically avoid collisions, which is a major attraction.

 

The camera also has a monitoring function, and the voice assistant "YIKO" developed by ECOVACS can be operated by voice, which is a convenient feature when you are busy. When cleaning is complete, it returns to the station and automatically collects dust into the dust bag, making cleanup easy.

 

DEEBOT XI OMNI

 

DEEBOT XI OMNI is an all-in-one model equipped with various functions. In addition to powerful suction cleaning, the automatic cleaning function washes and dries the dirty mop automatically during mopping. It also features an automatic empty function, easy operation by voice, a precise mapping function, and an industry-first obstacle avoidance system, all of which are convenient functions in one unit. These features make not only spring cleaning tasks easier but also daily cleaning tasks.

 

Conclusion

 

It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding and plan to make spring cleaning thorough and easy. It is essential to grasp the whole picture and plan. Then, proceed with the plan without overworking yourself and achieve a clean and comfortable home to welcome the new year with a good feeling. One option to finish the spring cleaning easily without overworking is to leave the floor cleaning to a robot vacuum cleaner. This is a tip to accomplish spring cleaning. To learn more about the ECOVACS robotic vacuum cleaners, please follow ECOVACS UK.