Spring Cleaning Tips
Spring Cleaning – Frühjahrsputz
Tips and Tricks on how to manage the Spring Cleaning of your home from top to bottom.
On the 20th of March, spring officially arrived, nature has awakened, and our energy is back. A sign! We are ready for Spring Cleaning! I love this time of the year when the leaves of the trees come out, the grass turns from brownish into a healthy green, and the buds of the flowers in the garden are prepared to join us and show themselves in a variety of colors.
Organizing the Spring Cleaning
After writing a list of “to-dos” that outlines the work required for a successful cleaning, create a schedule and involve the children and partner in the process. It will take a few days until the house is spotless and clean. Sometimes, not all the work planned can be done in one day, other times you might be able to do an additional task. Cross out what’s done and if you do not finish, add the unfinished chores to the next day.
Preparation of Spring Cleaning
Before starting the cleaning make sure the following household cleaners, gadgets, and tools are available. Many of the cleaning supplies are also offered on a natural basis, without fumes, and with none or fewer chemicals.
Household cleaners I recommend:
- glass cleaner
- cleaner for upholstery and carpets
- multi-surface cleaner
- oven spray
- furniture polish
- toilet and bathroom cleaner
- kitchen cleaner
- dishwashing liquid
- granite cleaner and polish
- stainless cleaner and polish
Tools and gadgets:
- rubber cleaning cloves
- vacuum cleaner
- bucket
- broom and dustpan
- scrub sponges
- brushes
- microfiber cleaning cloths
- floor mop
- feather duster
- trash bags
General work which applies to all rooms
Start the cleaning on the top floor and work your way down to the lower level. Start with general work that applies to all rooms. The last rooms to clean are the bathrooms, kitchen, and hallways.
Open the windows to let fresh air into the house before you begin the cleaning of the rooms. Reorganize the closets, bookshelves, and cabinets, clean the walls and ceilings with a vacuum cleaner, clean the ceiling fans, wash the window frames with warm water and mild dishwashing detergent. Afterward, brush the window screens and dust the blinds before cleaning the window glass.
Clean the curtains, if possible, wash the curtains or bring them to a dry cleaner. Shampoo the synthetic carpets and rugs, wash the bathroom mats, clean upholstery and if possible based on the materials shampoo and vacuum them. Clean the baseboards, crowning, and door frames with warm water adding mild dishwashing detergent. Vacuum the vent duct covers and finally, clean the floors with water and a mop before vacuum the carpets and rugs.
Bedrooms, Living Room, Family Room
To clean the bedrooms, rotate and vacuum the mattresses, change linens, clean mirrors, dust the furniture before cleaning the floor with a mop and warm water. Clean and organize the cabinets in the living and family room, clean and polish the furniture, mop the floor and vacuum.
Kitchen
Start the kitchen while cleaning the refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and oven with hot water using dish soap and dry it with a kitchen towel. Organize the pantry, check the groceries, remove those that have expired and replace where necessary. Clean and organize the cabinets and drawers with water adding dishwashing detergent. Clean and polish the stainless steel and countertops. Lastly, mop the floor.
Bathrooms
Scrub shower, bathtub, toilet, and sink. Clean mirrors with a glass cleaner and mop the floor.
Final Touch
After the cleaning in the house is finished, check the medicine cabinet and replace expired medicine. Change the batteries in the smoke detectors, replace the air filters and make sure the fire extinguishers (there should be one in each floor) are functional.
Congratulations! You are ready to do the shopping, decorating and preparing for the next holiday that is to follow – Easter!
To read more about German Easter Traditions and find recipes for Easter click here.
