By Jamie Thompson
As an agent, I work with professional cleaners all the time. Even clean homes need scrubbed, waxed, and polished to produce magazine-like photos and make the best impression on visitors. So, with spring in the air, I thought I’d take what’s involved with a typical “listing cleaning” and modify it for a “spring cleaning.”
And I’ll quickly mention, this checklist is meant to go deeper on an already tidy home, although you will want to hold off on vacuuming until after Step 1. You’ll also want to prepare your supplies ahead of time – there are some items here you probably don’t have on hand.
- Top-to-bottom dusting | Choose a high-quality feather duster or two, including one with an extendable handle. Go from your top level to your bottom and from ceiling to floor. Pro tip: if you’re prone to dust allergies, a basic disposable mask can help (a cloth one may be less effective). Clear cobwebs, dust over ceiling fans, and use a step stool to dust the tops of shelves and cabinets. Don’t forget common dust collectors like shelved books, lampshades, and the tops of art frames, window and door trim.
- Walls, ceilings, and floors | After kicking up all that dust, it’s time to get rid of it. Again, we’ll go top to bottom. Using an extension sponge or mop, wash any visible dirt or discoloration on ceilings and walls. High-traffic walls, such as hallways and stairwells, should get an end-to-end scrub. Finally, vacuum your carpets and rugs, and sweep and mop your hard floors. Closely examine any floors or tile walls that contain grout (especially in the bathroom, were water an cause mildew). Remove any nasty grout patches and reseal.
- Windows and window treatments | Onto the windows! Starting with glass that is clean on the inside, go outside and clean the other side (you may be able to safely reach them by opening the windows, or you may need a ladder). Next, clean your blinds, shades, and drapes. Many curtains are machine washable; those that aren’t can be taken for dry cleaning. Hearty shades and blinds can be gently vacuumed then wiped down with a damp, warm cloth (no chemicals needed). If you have window screens, take them outside, scrub them with mild dishwashing liquid, and hose them down.
- Upholstery | This step can be done in any order, as long as your dusting is complete. Take the cushions off your sofas and chairs and gently beat them by hand to remove the dust (a broom works great). Ingrained dirt can be wiped with a damp cloth, for most fabrics. For stains, read the label for directions. Next, use your vacuum’s attachments to clean inside your upholstered furniture, then replace the cushions.
- Wood furniture | Clean your wood surfaces using a soft, damp cloth with small amount of gentle dish soap. Immediately wipe dry. For extra shine, apply paste wax (like Butcher’s wax) using a cotton rag. Apply a little bit at a time, let dry, then buff with a soft dry cloth.
- Fixtures and hardware | Door and window hardware, metal light fixtures, and lamp bases tarnish over time and lose their shine. This can be reversed in seconds! Just be sure to choose a polish is safe for the metal and type of finish you’re cleaning. For light or medium tarnish, absorb a little liquid polish into a rag and wipe. For heavy tarnish, use a paste or cream, and level up to a stronger product if it doesn’t do the trick.
- Rugs, carpet, and hard floors | Finally, it’s time to deep clean the floors! Shampoo your carpeting according to the directions on your machine. Every carpet is different; check with the manufacturer if you aren’t sure what products or machines are safe for yours. For a heavily soiled carpet, consider renting a commercial-grade shampooer or hiring a steam cleaning service. For fine rugs, I wouldn’t use a shampooer – instead, there are services that will clean them using safe techniques. For your hard floors, purchase paste or liquid waxes made for each one’s specific material – everything from vinyl and hardwood to marble and terracotta can be waxed!
I hope this helps inspire you to get your home “magazine clean” this spring. Here’s to a fresh and beautiful season ahead!
