The gentle warmth of spring is beginning to thaw the lingering chill of winter. It’s time for spring cleaning! Maintaining a clean home can impact your family’s overall health and well-being. By taking proactive measures, you can reduce the risk of exposure to allergens, dust mites, mold, radon (with radon testing and mitigation), and other harmful particles that can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, and even lung cancer. This spring, cross off that spring cleaning checklist to address areas that are often overlooked to minimize the presence of allergens, reduce respiratory issues, and improve the quality of the air you breathe at home.
The Benefits of Spring Cleaning:
- Improve your indoor air quality
- Promotes physical health by reducing exposure to germs and potential indoor contaminants
- Positive impacts on mood and mental health
Indoor air quality plays a crucial role in health as people spend most of their time indoors. And often, that time spent indoors is spent at home! Poor indoor air quality can lead to various health problems, including headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, aggravated allergies, and even lung cancer.
Contaminants that could be affecting the health of your home:
- Radioactive radon gas
- Dust
- Pet dander
- Mold spores
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Contaminants in your well water (like PFAS and radon)
It’s important to test for and mitigate airborne contaminants, like radon, to protect your family from cancer-causing environmental factors. Dust, pet dander, mold spores, radon gas, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household products can accumulate indoors, contributing to indoor air pollution.
Proper ventilation such as opening windows and using exhaust fans can help remove stale air and promote circulation, further enhancing indoor air quality and supporting better respiratory health.
An important note:
Cleaning and increasing ventilation alone will not properly address any radioactive radon gas that may be present in your home. To know your levels, you must start with a radon test and then mitigate your home if levels are elevated (above 4.0 pCi/L) according to the EPA.
A clean and organized home can also positively impact mental health and overall stress levels. Cluttered and messy environments can contribute to feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and decreased productivity.
In contrast, a clean and tidy living space can create a sense of calmness, order, and control, promoting mental clarity and relaxation for not only you, but also your family. Maintaining a clean home is not only essential for physical health but also for mental well-being, fostering a harmonious and healthy living environment for you and those you love!
How to Get Started on Your Spring
Cleaning Checklist:
- Print out your spring cleaning checklist
- Gather your supplies (microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, vacuum, mop, broom, dust pan, etc)
- Pick one room to start in
- Start tasks like laundry and running the dishwasher to avoid bottlenecks and longer wait times
- Declutter by removing items to donate, throw away, or recycle
- Open your windows if possible to ventilate your home, especially if using cleaning chemicals and supplies
- Work from ceiling to floor in each room to avoid the need to re-clean surfaces
- Test for radon
Spring cleaning is a process. Take plenty of breaks and set realistic goals for each day. Plan to spread out your spring cleaning tasks across multiple days or weekends and, if possible, get the whole family involved to divide and conquer tasks!
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Knock out your Spring Cleaning Checklist
Living Room:
Let’s start with the heart of the home—the living room. You may need to start off with some decluttering and will probably have to temporarily move some furniture to get this room completed successfully. As you go, the room will begin to feel lighter and fresher, which will set the stage for more detailed cleaning tasks, ensuring the living room is a perfect environment for relaxation and enjoyment with your family as the season changes.
- Dust all surfaces including shelves, tables, picture frames, and electronics
- Vacuum upholstery and cushions
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Wipe down electronics with a microfiber cloth
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Launder curtains or blinds
- Organize and declutter shelves and entertainment centers
- Vacuum under and behind furniture
- Polish wooden furniture if needed
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
Kitchen:
Refreshing the kitchen during your spring cleaning is one of the best feelings. With each task completed, the kitchen will begin to give a refreshing sense of cleanliness. Cooking and/or dining in a freshly cleaned kitchen can foster a deeper connection and sense of togetherness with your family.
- Clean and sanitize countertops
- Wipe down cabinet exteriors and interiors
- Clean inside and outside of appliances: microwave, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc
- Descale and sanitize the coffee maker and kettle
- Clean the sink and garbage disposal
- Degrease stove and range hood
- Scrub backsplash
- Empty, clean, and organize the pantry
- Wipe down light switches and doorknobs
- Sweep and mop floors
- Vacuum coils on fridge
Bathroom:
You’ll need to roll up your sleeves for this one. Although this can be one of the most dreaded rooms on your spring cleaning checklist, a clean bathroom can be a haven of self-care, allowing you and your family to recharge and replenish your energy.
- Scrub and sanitize the toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower
- Clean shower head and faucets
- Wipe down mirrors and countertops
- Clean soap dishes and toothbrush holders
- Wash shower curtain or clean shower doors
- Organize and declutter cabinets and drawers
- Clean and disinfect trash can
- Replace or wash bath mats
- Clean and disinfect toilet brush and holder
- Sweep and mop floors
- Update first-aid kit
- Discard expired cosmetics and beauty products
Bedroom:
A clean bedroom can relax your mind and, in turn, improve your sleep quality. The feeling of curling up into a soft, freshly made bed is like nothing else. You’ll need to get your washing machine going early in the process when you start on this room.
- Launder bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets
- Vacuum and flip mattresses
- Dust surfaces including nightstands, dressers, and lamps
- Clean mirrors and windows
- Organize and declutter closets and drawers
- Rotate seasonal clothing
- Dust and wipe down baseboards and trim
- Clean under the bed
- Vacuum or clean upholstery on chairs and ottomans
- Sweep or vacuum floors
Home Office:
It’s important to make your office a space that can set you up for success. This room shouldn’t be ignored during your spring cleaning regimen.
- Organize and declutter paperwork and desk drawers
- Dust electronics, including computer screens and keyboards
- Clean and disinfect mouse and keyboard
- Wipe down office furniture
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Organize cables and cords
- Clean and organize bookshelves
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Empty and clean out the trash can
Laundry Room:
You and your loved ones are typically in and out of this room often and it can be one of those spaces that attract clutter. Resetting and organizing this room can help laundry become a more efficient routine task.
- Clean lint trap in dryer
- Wipe down washing machine exterior and interior
- Clean shelves and cabinets
- Organize and restock laundry supplies
- Sweep or vacuum floors
- Clean utility sink, if applicable
- Wipe down light switches and doorknobs
- Declutter and dispose of old or unused items
- Check for leaks or water damage
- Dust any exposed pipes or vents
Basement (if applicable):
Whether your basement is finished or unfinished, it should be included in your spring-cleaning list. You may be visiting the basement throughout your spring-cleaning process already if it’s used to store items that aren’t regularly used, it’s a great time to take inventory of what you have and re-organize your storage system to be more efficient for you and your family.
- Test for radon gas levels
- Sort through and organize stored items
- Dust any shelves, vent systems, etc
- Sweep and mop or vacuum floors
- Clean windows
- Check for pest activity
- Label boxes
- Check for leaks in piping
- Check for mold or mildew
- Test basement lighting
- Inspect foundation and walls
Outdoor Spaces (if applicable):
Outside is where many great family memories are made. Because it’s springtime now, the weather is beginning to warm up and this area, if not used much before, is soon to be back in action. Take time to refresh this area after winter to make it a more enjoyable space for your family to spend time.
- Check radon mitigation fan is running and schedule maintenance checks
- Sweep and hose down patio or deck
- Clean outdoor furniture
- Scrub grill and clean grill grates
- Sweep walkways and driveways
- Clear gutters and downspouts
- Prune bushes and trees
- Clean outdoor light fixtures
- Wash exterior windows
- Check for any needed repairs
- Sweep or rake lawn
Remember to adapt this checklist to fit your specific needs and preferences. Happy spring cleaning!
