Spring Cleaning Solutions by Room

“Spring Cleaning” Don’t these words tie some knots in your stomach? They do in mine.

You may even be wondering: “What is spring cleaning?” You haven’t even started cleaning and you’re already stressed. Don’t let spring or decluttering get you anxious because you feel the need to clean everything in sight.

Sprucing up your home to get ready for the warmer weather is like going to the gym. Many people use the winter and spring months to get that hot summer bod. Think of this as your time to get your house in shape just before summer. Unlike the workouts and clean eating, this will take less discipline and won’t take you more than two seasons.

Our spring cleaning tips and tricks will help steer you in the right direction. We’ll guide you on how to remove junk from your home with ease, spruce up some areas on a tight budget, as well as clean those items you didn’t even think of, turning junk into treasure.

Spring cleaning is an annual tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and dust off the winter blues. During this time we focus our energy on cleaning out our homes, our hearts and changing out the wardrobe. Spring and summer can be some of the most hectic times of the year so the best way to be prepared is to clean up before it becomes a whirlwind of fun.

✨Pro Tip: Clean year round, but save the big and the bad for spring. Couch Cleaning Hacks ❯

Actually getting started is half the battle. When you know you need to clean, but TJMaxx is calling your name or brunch (hey!) at that new hotspot sounds like a better plan, you may need a kick in the butt to get started with an organized spring cleaning schedule.

But this is it. You found this article and now, you are about to clean to your heart’s content. Literally no one is telling you to skip the mimosa though!

1. Create a Room by Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring cleaning room checklists are your best friend. They help keep us accountable and organized. Creating a list will be key to helping you stay calm before going all Chuck Norris on your unorganized home.

Make a list, including each room. Walk-through each room individually and pay attention to exactly what that room really needs. Don’t be afraid to open the junk drawer or stash closet that just seems impossible. I promise we won’t report you to hoarders or anything.

Writing a spring cleaning checklist helps make sure you have all the cleaning materials you need before you start, potentially saving valuable time later on.

2. Create Your Ultimate “Motivation to Clean” Playlist

Consider putting together a cleaning playlist that keeps you dancing or steadies your nerves. Listening to music while cleaning will help make things go by faster and make it more fun.

Since clean outs are always on our brain, LoadUp has put together a playlist of ALL our favorite songs to get inspired to clean! Grooving to music as you declutter, makes clean out easier. So, if you’re not ~feeling it~ these songs are guaranteed to get you moving.

Play that funky music, now 🎵 ❯ Check out this cleaning playlist compiled by LoadUp employees!

3. Create a Timeline for Your Goals

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you want to clean your entire home all at once, but DON’T DO IT! Properly cleaning and decluttering your home is a marathon, not a sprint.

Work on two rooms each weekend for a full cleaning smackdown. You won’t get as stressed trying to tackle too much, but you will see a noticeable difference and get a lot more done. You can potentially even have some free time to enjoy yourself.

4. Clean from Top to Bottom

Strategy is key to a clean home. Start from the top and work your way down.

Start with the ceiling fan! If the room has a ceiling fan and you don’t clean there first, you may have to re-clean when the dirty dust gets everywhere.

A good trick to eliminate dust is to clean with a duster or use a pillowcase. Push your pillowcase over the blade and sweep dust right into the case.

Clean from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Knock all the dusty cobwebs from the corners, wash curtains, clean windows, dust furniture, vacuum furniture and the floor.

The baseboards matter too! Baseboards get a beating daily and can be hard to clean. We don’t often think of cleaning the baseboards, but shoes, pet hair and dust love them.

✨Pro Tip: The key to de-scuffing baseboards and walls is in the Magic Eraser. It comes right off!

5. Open the Windows

Let that cool breeze in and refresh your space naturally. Every time you see the curtains blowing in tune to your cleaning soundtrack, do a little dance! Give those hips a shake and keep going.

Work smarter, not harder!

When you aren’t sure when to start spring cleaning or really how to get started, we have created the best cleaning room checklist. Below we go room by room to give you the best spring cleaning tips.

Let’s face it – our kitchen appliances do a lot for us and don’t ask for much in return. Most of the time this is a one-sided relationship. Unlike a real relationship, they won’t get mad at you for not giving back the love. But they sure do love a deep clean!

Deep cleaning the appliances that clean your dishes or clothes may seem unnecessary; however, regular maintenance is actually very important to keep your dishwasher and washing machine running at their max efficiency.

The only way to avoid throwing away a good appliance is to take care of it with regular cleaning! You don’t want us to come to haul away your new washing machine, dryer, or refrigerator after you’ve only had it for a few years. We all want our money’s worth!

How to Deep Clean a Dishwasher

• Clear the drain.
• Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the top rack.
• Run the dishwasher through a hot water cycle.
• Sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short hot water cycle.

How to Deep Clean an Oven

• Remove the grates, soak in warm soapy water and scrub.
• Fill a large metal baking dish with a cup of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Spray the same solution over walls. Heat to 350 for 30 minutes. Let cool, scrub walls.

Kitchen Organization Tips

There are some easy ways to spruce up your kitchen and add some character without needing to live paycheck to paycheck.

• Use the dollar store for basic containers. Add a label and store your pantry items.
• For a small pantry, add an over-the-door shoe rack. This will help make the most use of your space.
• Give the lazy susan a spin.
• Store spices on your fridge with magnetic containers. No need to use up all that valuable shelf space with spices.
• Buy a paper towel dispenser that can be screwed under the kitchen cabinets for a space saver.

✨Pro Tip: Read our guide to decluttering your kitchen if you don’t know where to begin!

Kitchen Decor Tips

Now it’s time to take a look at your kitchen decor. You don’t need to be an expert to give your kitchen the perfect aesthetic!

• Cabinet Facelift: If your cabinets need more than new hardware, paint them. It can be a time-consuming project, but if done right, your kitchen will look brand new and add value to your home. You can also replace the cabinet hardware. Find knobs and pulls that are the same size as the existing ones so you don’t have to re-drill the cabinets.
• Add a Backsplash: No need to add tile. Use wallpaper, stainless steel, or magnetic paint. Always wanted that exposed brick look? You can go to the store and use brick wallpaper for a quarter of the price.
• Lighting: This is one of the simplest ideas, but could make the biggest difference. Replace outdated lighting fixtures with ones of your choosing. Make sure you switch to energy-efficient light bulbs too. They last so much longer and save you a ton of money on your electric bill.
• Window Treatment: You can replace that window with something more aligned with your style. Find an old stained glass window at the antique store? Add it to the kitchen to freshen up your look.

Even if you have never formally used your dining room, that large dining room table is not another place to keep your clutter! Or if you have been dying to actually host people over, this is a great motivator to get to cleaning your dining room.

If you don’t know when to start spring cleaning, the best time is now and in the dining room!

How to Deep Clean a Dining Room

• Windex the mirrors.
• Sweep, Vaccuum, Swiffer, Mop.
• Clean the curtains (or wash them!)
• Wash the dining chairs and other furniture.
• Dust everything including wall art and ceiling trim.

Since the crazy year we had in 2020, the living room has started to wear a bunch of different hats. Maybe it has turned into a movie room, dining room, an office, a storage space or even just a room you completely avoid cleaning it up is especially important this year.

✨Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to change the organization of your living room.

How to Deep Clean a Living Room

• Windex the mirrors.
• Sweep, Vaccuum, Swiffer, Mop.
• Clean the curtains (or wash them!)
• Dust everything including wall art and ceiling trim.
• Wash the couch, recliner, coffee table, record player, throw pillows and other furniture.

We spend a lot of time in the bathroom, especially scrolling through our phones while we are in there. Sometimes we overlook keeping it organized and clean but spring cleaning is the perfect time to get to it.

✨Pro Tip: If you keep finding your kids toys around you can create a toy holder in the bath! Learn more here!

How to Deep Clean a Bathroom

• Clean the toilet.
• Sweep, Vaccuum, Swiffer, Mop.
• Wash the dining chairs and other furniture.
• Scrub the tub with a heavy duty all purpose cleaner.
• Drain-o the drains, even if you think they don’t need it!

Stop throwing your old dirty clothes from the chair to the bed! Spring cleaning is the perfect time to get in a new routine and organize everything in your room.

How to Deep Clean a Bedroom

• Scrub the tub.
• Clean the toilet.
• Sweep, Vaccuum, Swiffer, Mop.
• Wash the dining chairs and other furniture.
• Drain-o the drains, even if you think they don’t need it!

Probably the most dreaded area to clean out is your closet. The clothes and shoes you have accumulated over the last few years have a special place in your heart.

When determining how to clean out your closet, it’s a cyclical process to purge your clothes, move things around, take a little out and add more in. Have you noticed this vicious cycle?

The guilt, frustration, and fear you feel when you clean out your closet can be very emotional.

Guilt asks, “Why did you spend so much money on things you don’t wear?”
Frustration asks, “Are we going to have to do this again in 6 months?”
Fear asks, “If you let go, will you have enough to wear?”

Deep Clean Your Washing Machine

1. Fill the washer using the largest load size, hottest water, and longest wash settings.
2. As the washer fills, add a quart of white vinegar and a cup of baking soda.
3. Let the washer agitate for a minute. Then, open the lid to allow the mixture to sit in the washer for an hour.
4. After your timer goes off, let the cycle complete.
5. Run the cycle through one last time.
6. Leave the lid open to let the washer air-dry.
7. Wipe off any remaining residue inside the washer.

Closet Organization Tips

Empty your closet (yes, the whole thing), and dump everything onto your bed. Then, one item at a time, move the clothes from your bed into four piles on the floor, sorting them into the following categories:

• Love – Have to have!
• Maybe – Items you never wear but don’t want to put in the donate or trash piles
• Donate – Items in good condition but don’t fit your body or your style anymore
• Trash – Items that are in poor condition

Now keep going until the bed is clear (you can do it! I believe in you!).

::Do a little happy dance::

Then, go through the “maybe” pile one last time and see if your heart will let you part with any items. Now, reward yourself with a nap and enjoy your clean and organized closet.

Closet Space Saving Ideas

There’s no need to have every clothing item you own for every season hanging in your closet. Winter jackets are bulky. Use vacuum storage bags to keep items compartmentalized.

Bonus – they will protect your clothes, or other items, from mold and mildew.

Make it easier on yourself to stay organized by adding shelf dividers to keep folded clothes from toppling over.

✨Pro Tip: If you’re looking for more space in your closet try out our closet organization tricks.

Is there a wall in your closet that’s full of white space? Add some wall hooks so you can reclaim that space and use it for jewelry, bags, belts, scarves, etc.

Don’t be afraid to use the closet door as a tool, too! You can add over-the-door hooks to store jackets or add a shoe hanger. It’s easy to keep your closet organized. You can even find inspiration at your local Ikea.

Our makeshift home offices and actual home offices get over looked when it comes to spring cleaning, but when was the last time you went through that stack of papers to see if you even need them? Don’t forget to add your office to your spring cleaning room checklist.

✨Pro Tip: Setting up a designated, organized office space can actually increase productivity.

How to Deep Clean an Office Space

• Dust the monitors.
• Clean out the refrigerator.
• Sweep, Vaccuum, Swiffer, Mop.
• Drain-o any drains, even if you think they don’t need it!
• Wash the office chairs, clear off the desks, and clean all surfaces.

Every year, the U.S. produces about 254 million pounds of trash.

Only 30 percent of that trash is recycled.

As you go through each room, put items you no longer use or need into piles. Don’t worry about sorting through them until you have finished cleaning the room.

What to Recycle

Make sure only real garbage ends up in the trash. Recycle old magazines and newspapers. Everyday items like paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic should be properly recycled.

Other junk items require special disposal methods, as they can wreak havoc on the environment. Here are some eco-friendly disposal guidelines:

• Electronics – These should go to a recycling center. Electronics contain chemical and mineral elements. A circuit board contains copper, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and lead. If recycled properly, this waste is a valuable source of secondary raw materials.
• Exercise Equipment – Usually these are large, bulky items. The materials can be reused but need to be dropped off at the proper recycling facility.
• Batteries – Car batteries, household batteries, and light bulbs should be recycled. These items contain mercury, which can be harmful to humans and the environment if not disposed of properly.
• Used Tires – Tires are designed to be practically indestructible. Good for cars, bad for the environment. Fortunately, the recycling options are becoming better every day.

All of the items above are a pain to haul away on your own. Don’t worry about moving those items right now. You only need to identify what can go. You can get rid of them by using a nationwide junk removal service like LoadUp to do all the heavy lifting for you.

If you need to get rid of your appliances, LoadUp will dispose of them in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

What to Donate

Because you’re in the giving mood doesn’t mean someone wants to take your junk. There’s no steadfast rule on what can and can’t be donated, but it’s good to keep in mind that these items should be in a relatively good condition.

For the bulk of your junk, your best bet is going to be a local thrift store. These places are good about taking different types of household items. They usually keep a large drop-off area open for extended parts of the day.

Itemize your donate pile because you may be able to deduct those donations on your taxes. Once you’ve done your research, keep a record of your donations.

Get rid of your old items in a way that helps other people or helps the planet. The extra effort it takes to make sure less stuff ends up in the landfill is definitely worth it.

Over the course of LoadUp being in the junk removal industry, we have diverted over 3 million pounds of junk from local landfills!

Upcycling household items is a useful and creative way to reuse the resources we already own. I try to do this with my “junk” as well – aside from giving things away to folks that need them, upcycling items in your home is productive and fun!

Believe it or not, you really can transform some of your junk items from ugly old clutter into artful masterpieces in no time! Here a just a few ideas:

OK, so these ideas won’t make all the dirt magically disappear, but the tips above may help make the process a little less overwhelming. Just remember to pace yourself. You don’t have to do everything in one day.

And for the bigger items, don’t break your back, or the bank. We’ll haul it away for you!

More from the Trash Talk Blog:

• College Dorm Room Cleanouts
• Organize Your Garage like a PRO
• Declutter and Organize Your Kitchen
• 29 Ways to Get Rid of Household Clutter
• Clutter and Anxiety: How to Break the Vicious Cycle