Spring Cleaning (+ 12 Homemade All-Natural Cleaners)

As winter begins to come to end, my family has a hard time getting into the spring cleaning mood. But me? I’m the one in the family that can’t wait to pull out the homemade cleaners, dusters, and whip out the fanny packs. The reason? I l-o-v-e organizing. With a passion. So when it’s time to get the house cleaned out, I like to lead the pack, motivate people, and downright get some work done.

I understand that isn’t exactly spring in some parts of the world quite yet, but in the southeast, usually by February and March, the temperatures get into the 60’s. So, it seems appropriate to start planning for spring cleaning right about now. If you want to simplify the task of spring cleaning in your house, read on.

I like to start with the bedrooms. It’s nice to, after a long day of cleaning, to flop down onto the bed of an immaculate and fresh smelling room. Then I move on to the bathroom, then the kitchen, livingroom, dining room, laundry room, then finally outside.

Bedroom:

• Dust dressers and other furniture.
• Wipe down and dust windows.
• Wash and dry curtains.
• Sweep behind and under the bed, dresser, and other furniture like chairs or bookcases.
• Wipe down and sanitize doors and door handles.
• Fold all clean laundry and put away in the correct dresser drawer.
• Wash and dry all dirty laundry.
• Pick up any clutter on the floor.
• Empty out closet and put everything back in an organized fashion.
• Sprinkle mattress with baking soda, let sit for 20 minutes, and vacuum up.
• Vacuum floors.
• Mop floors and sweep them afterwards.
• Wash walls and trim.

Bathroom:

• Empty all cabinets.  Wash inside, replace items neatly.  Discard expired medications and cosmetics.
• Wash outside of cabinets.
• Wipe down and sanitize the sink and counter.
• Clean tub with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
• Remove hair from drain and pour 4 cups boiling water down it.
• Wipe down mirror.
• Sanitize the toilet and clean bowl with baking soda and a toilet bowl scrubber.
• Wash walls.
• Wash door and door knob.
• Sweep floor and hand wash it.
• Wash windows (if present).
• Refill soap dispensers.

Kitchen:

• Clear and wipe down counters.
• Pull everything out of cabinets, consolidate, and label them. Wipe out and vacuum cabinets to prevent pests. Put everything back.
• Wipe down and dust windows.
• Wash and dry curtains.
• Clear cobwebs.
• For each cabinet or drawer: Remove items, wipe out drawer, place items back neatly and in an orderly fashion.
• If needed, take steel wool to the surface of your stove top to remove burnt-on pieces of food.
• Clean out oven. Wipe off outside of oven.
• Wipe down all small appliances and check to see if they are working properly or need repair (Get More Info here).
• Sharpen knives and wash cutting boards.
• Wash and shine sink.
• Wash cabinet doors and handles.
• Take everything out of the refrigerator and consolidate. Wipe out fridge and put everything back.
• Wash walls and trim.
• Sweep and mop floor.

Living Room:

• Vacuum sofas.
• Spot clean sofas.
• Wash any throw pillows or blankets.
• Dust shelves, furniture and decor.
• Wash and dust windows.
• Clear cobwebs.
• Clean television screen.
• Tidy electronics wires.  Tuck neatly out of sight.
• Sort through music and DVD collections. Get rid of what you don’t need.
• Wash walls and trim.
• Clean up any clutter on the floor.
• Vacuum floor, then mop.

Dining Room:

• Clear table.
• Wash down table top. Wipe down with wood restorer (if applicable).
• Wipe down chairs. Wash chair pads.
• Find a lovely centerpiece for your table.
• Wash cloth napkins or put out new paper napkins.
• Shine silverware.
• Wash walls and trim.
• Clear any clutter in the room.
• Clear cobwebs.
• Wash door and door knob.
• Sweep and mop floor.

Laundry Room:

• Wash and dust windows.
• Wash cabinet doors.
• Dust shelves.
• Wipe down washer and dryer.
• Organize detergents, clothespins, etc.
• Clean out lint trap in dryer.
• Wash walls and trim.
• Wash door and handle.
• Sweep and mop floor.
• Clear any clutter.
• Wash and dry dirty laundry that’s been sitting in the room.

Outside:

• Sweep porches and stairs.
• Wash thresholds.
• Clean or replace welcome mat. (Here is a great one!)
• Wash exterior doors.
• Put away children’s toys.
• Mow lawn.
• Wash and clean out car.
• Plant flowers.

So now that you’ve seen what you’ve gotta do in order to get your house in order, here are a bunch of amazing and all-natural cleaners for wiping down surfaces, washing laundry, and so much more!

 

1. One-Ingredient Crayon Remover from The Prairie Homestead

 

2. Homemade Disinfecting Wipes from Live Renewed

 

3. Homemade Citrus Cleaner from Melissa K. Norris

 

4. One-Ingredient 5 Minute Natural Oven Cleaner from Melissa K. Norris

 

5. Easy DIY Non-Toxic Liquid Hand Soap from Salam Mama

 

6. No Streak Glass Cleaner from Whole New Mom

 

7. Easy Green Window Cleaner from Live Renewed

 

8. DIY Furniture Polish from Accidentally Green

 

9. Natural Multi-Purpose Citrus Cleaner from Lexi Naturals

 

10. DIY Disinfecting Counter Spray from Natural Living Mamma

11. Easy Homemade Floor Cleaner from Natural Living Mamma

 

12. DIY Laundry Detergent from Natural Living Mamma

 

Here are a few more helpful cleaners:

All Purpose Homemade Cleaning Spray from Whole Simple Life

Homemade All Purpose Scouring Scrub from Whole Simple Life

Easy Chemical Free Natural Floor Cleaner from Whole Simple Life