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Spring Cleaning? Here's how to get organized. Great for home sellers!

By
Home Inspector with US Inspect

When spring finally arrives after a long cold season, many of us have the urge to welcome the season by cleaning the "winter" out of the house. Spring is, after all, a time of transition and an opportunity for refreshing our homes and our lives. We'll leave the Spring Home Maintenance Checklist to another post, but cleaning really is the most basic form of home maintenance and is a great place to start. And since many out there are still waiting for the snow to stop falling, it's a great time to organize and plan our spring cleaning.

A good way to make sure you get to everything your particular house requires, is by creating your own custom checklist ahead of time. The approach I like best is to walk around your house with a notepad, and jot down each task that you'd like to do in each room (you can organize your plan of attack later). Here are 10 ideas you might want to include on your list:

  1. Spring cleaning bucketClean Ceiling Fans- So you don't turn them on and swirl dust all over the room.
  2. Launder or Vacuum Curtains - This is not only refreshing, but it will help to eliminate the dust, dander, pollen and other allergens that may have accumulated on the fabric over the long winter--which could exacerbate spring allergies.
  3. Dust- Dust, dust, dust. Clean all the surfaces in the home.
  4. Vacuum Furniture - Clean the surface of pet hair, dust and other dirt, and don't forget to lift the cushions and vacuum crevasses too.
  5. Clean the Windows - This not only makes your windows look nicer, but helps to let in more light.
  6. Open windows - Leave those windows open to air out the house. It smells great and also helps to let stagnant air and indoor allergens escape.
  7. Clean the Oven - OK, this task stinks. But I saw a good video online for making it a little easier.
  8. Clear the Cobwebs - A dust buster or small vacuum is great for paying attention to all the corners and crevasses of your house and sucking away dust bunnies and cobwebs.
  9. Clean the Refrigerator - Clear out old food, wash removable shelves and drawers in the sink, and place a new baking soda box for odors. For more on cleaning refrigerators click here.
  10. Organize & Purge - Clean closets, organize drawers, and sort through the stacks--somewhere underneath the piles of mail, laundry and over-due library books is your house! This is also a great time to start a collection of old clothes or other items from each family member for local donation.

Do you have a spring cleaning tip to share? We'd love to hear it. Let us know in the comments section below.

Posted By: U.S. Inspect Blog

Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I like to clean the sink and tub drains with baking soda and then a cup of vinegar followed by hot water.  I also like to run vinegar through the dishwasher.  They sometimes carry an odor too.

Mar 25, 2013 04:57 AM
Chrissy Doremus ~ US Inspect ~
US Inspect - Chantilly, VA
Residential Property Inspections

I love those ideas! Eliminating odors is one of the primary things I try to do...and these are great ways to do so! thanks Liz.

Mar 25, 2013 05:01 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

All great suggestions.  I love spring cleaning.  Isn't that weird?

Mar 25, 2013 05:05 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Chrissy, Thank you for posting this!  Much like Liz says, hard water is an issue around here so doing all the things you mention and using an industrial cleaner like LCR will help any listing sell.

Mar 25, 2013 05:06 AM
Jennifer Prestwich
Henderson, Thornton, Broomfield and Westminster - Henderson, CO
Madison & Co Properties

Looks like I've got my checklist now, Chrissy!  Great tips for freshening up the house this spring.  Thanks!

Mar 25, 2013 05:10 AM
Chrissy Doremus ~ US Inspect ~
US Inspect - Chantilly, VA
Residential Property Inspections

No, it's totally not weird Paula! I feel the exact same way! It feels so good! I actually really like cleaning out closets, and purging clutter in any way. I wouldn't say that I'm a neat person really...BUT at the end of the week or all of a sudden I'll sit and address a specific area and feel quite an accomplishment :)

Mar 25, 2013 05:11 AM
Kevin McGourty
Realty ONE Group - Phoenix, AZ

Chrissy -- "Tis the season." A good time to shed pounds, not only off the body, but also off the house/garage. Here is an interesting post -- basically, keeping things is storage is a procrastinator's drug.  http://alturl.com/ufqge

Mar 25, 2013 05:18 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Excellent checklist for everyone CHrissy!  It is the time to purge & clean and feel better about ones living style and you set us on our way!

Mar 25, 2013 09:24 PM