Spring Cleaning Checklist

1. Dust, wash and repair screens.

2. Do doormats. Shake 'em, wash 'em, swat 'em with a broom.

3. Wash windows.

4. Check and oil locks and latches on all doors and windows.

5. Clean and shampoo rugs.

6. Vacuum bed mattresses and springs; flip mattresses.

7. Clean or wash draperies and curtains.

8. Clean under appliances.

9. Before you start to clean, room by room, grab a clipboard and some lined paper or a note pad then start at the side of one room and continue all the way around the room. As you clean make note of what needs to be repaired and write down any changes or improvements you want to make. Measure the room and the walls if you can. Place the list of "to-do's" and measurements in a manila folder titled Decorating. When one room is finished move on to the next. Once the house is completely cleaned you can go to your folder and start decorating.

10. Wash walls, cabinets, baseboards, and woodwork. Use a sponge and hand dish washing detergent, washing the surface in sections. A sponge mop makes it easier to reach higher spots. Use two buckets: one for dish washing detergent solution and another for wringing your sponge. Dry the walls and woodwork with a clean cloth.

11. Clean ceiling fixtures. Remove dust and dirt from ceiling fans and air-conditioner vents with a cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.

12. Clean your light fixtures. Use a stepladder, all-purpose cleaner, a sponge, and a polish cloth.

13. Polish woodwork.

14. Finish your floors. To protect the floors in your kitchen from another year of wear and tear, wax or apply a sealer following label directions.

15. Check your coils. You should clean the refrigerator's condenser coil, usually found behind the toe grille, with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and lint.

16. For decorating ideas see: Decorating with Mirrors, Decorating with Doors, and Creating Sacred Space.

17. Spring and summer is the time to work outside. If you don't have a yard get some house plants and bring the outdoors inside.

Car

1. Clean car thoroughly inside and out.

2. Check tires for wear and proper inflation; rotate them then have the wheels aligned and balanced.

3. Check cooling system for leaks; flush radiator and refill with coolant if necessary in your area.

4. Have breaks inspected, adjusted; new linings if needed.

5. Have exhaust system inspected.

6. Have a minor engine tune-up.

7. Nicks, dents, and scratches are more obvious in the sunshine. Check into some small body shops; get an estimate from each then choose the best deal and have the dents taken out.

Clothing

1. Clean closets. If something has not been used in the past year consider how to repair it, sell it, or donate to a charity.

2. Wash and dry clothing; store hanging if possible.

3. Take dry cleanables to cleaners. Hang in garment bags. Knits are best stored folded.

4. Clean and wax leather boots; wash plastic ones. Have winter shoes repaired and shined; store in boxes.

5. Wool coats, mittens, gloves and scarves should be dry cleaned before storing. Moths won't attack clean wool.

6. Use the clipboard and extend your wardrobe. List outfits that need accessories or shirts that need matching pants. Try combining and creating outfits from what's in your closet then list out what you need. If you make a shopping list before you go shopping you'll not only extend your wardrobe, you'll save money.