BY TEDDY WILLSON
Illustrations by Boyoun Kim
SPRING CLEANING is a dusty, outdated concept. The term itself was popularized in the 19th century, when people had to wait for warm weather to open their windows and sweep out layers of soot left by their coal furnaces. It made sense at the time, but today most of us have snazzy HVAC systems to keep us warm in winter. And vacuums! So there’s no reason to spend the start of a season scrubbing our hearts out. Instead, follow this plan to keep up with your home bit by bit throughout the year, and take it a little easier come March and April.
□ Wipe down and sanitize the counters in the kitchen, bathroom(s), and laundry room.
□ Sweep or vacuum and mop the floors.
□ Launder your linens: sheets, all towels (the bath, hand, and dish varieties), and bath mats.
□ Wipe down all sinks and the stove.
□ Sanitize high-touch points: doorknobs, faucets, light switches, pulls and handles, keyboards, and remote controls.
□ Clean up any spatters or grease along the kitchen backsplash and inside the microwave.
□ Disinfect the toilets. □ Hit the bowl, seat, sides, tank, and flusher.
□ Scrub the entire bathtub and/or shower.
EVERYWHERE
□ Dust all surfaces: side tables, your TV and console, bookshelves, picture frames, etc. You may need to do this biweekly.
□ Spritz and wipe the inside of the windows with glass cleaner and a clean rag.
□ Dust the baseboards with a microfiber cloth.
□ Dust blinds with the brush attachment on your vacuum, or wipe each slat with a microfiber cloth.
□ If you can, rinse your vacuum’s filter. (Deep- clean the entire machine once a year.)
BATHROOM
□ Clean mirrors and fixtures. Spray solution onto your microfiber cloth instead of the mirror to keep spots from forming.
□ Launder your shower curtain and liner if they can go into the washing machine. (Most can!)
KITCHEN
□ Disinfect the trash cans.
□ Scrub the cabinet doors and appliance fronts with a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water.
□ Toss expired items and deep-clean the fridge.
□ De-stink the dishwasher by running a cycle with just a bowl of distilled white vinegar on the top rack. And clean the filter.
□ Dust and clean the top of the fridge if it’s exposed.
LIVING ROOM
□ Vacuum the couch and other upholstered furniture. Use the appropriate attachment and remove the cushions to get every last crumb. Be on the lookout for loose change.
LAUNDRY ROOM
□ Deep-clean your washing machine. Don’t forget the gasket. Tip: Leave the door open between cycles to help prevent mildew.
ONCE A SEASON
□ Vacuum the fridge’s condenser coils with the brush attachment.
□ Deep-clean your carpets and rugs.
□ Dust ceiling fans and wipe light fixtures.
□ Launder throw pillow covers and fluff inserts.
TWICE A YEAR
□ Deep-clean your oven. Clean the range hood too—and the toaster while you’re at it.
□ Clear out the gutters and downspouts, or hire a pro to clean them every spring and fall.
□ Vacuum your mattresses with the upholstery attachment.
□ Shake out and vacuum dusty curtains.
SPRING
□ Disconnect the dryer and use the hose attachment on your vacuum to remove lint from the vent.
□ Clean the windows—this time, the outside! Hire someone to do the second story (or the entire task).
SUMMER
□ Deep-clean your grill.
□ Sweep and power-wash the deck, patio, and drive- way. Scrub mold off of unpainted siding with bleach and water and a stiff-bristle brush.
□ Clean outdoor furniture and wipe down the cushions. (Stash the cushions inside when not in use.)
FALL
□ Give your HVAC system a checkup. Schedule a tech visit to make sure everything is in working order before the weather turns. Note: Filters should be changed every season.
□ Do a yard cleanup and pick up errant sticks.
□ Reset the garage. Dust, sweep, vacuum, and organize all that equipment.
□ Clean out your medicine stockpile. Cold and flu season is approaching, and you don’t want expired stuff taking up space in there.
WINTER
□ Remove ash from the fireplace regularly. □ A yearly inspection by a chimney sweep will help keep the flue clear.
□ Shake out and wipe down boot trays or shoe racks.