post-holiday deep clean

I know it's normally called spring cleaning, and it's not quite spring yet, but after every holiday season I feel the need for a deep home cleaning. It allows you to get rid of the old stuff, bring in the new stuff from the holidays, and enjoy the rest of your winter comfortably!

This list is from The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking.

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"FOYER

1. Dust lighting fixtures.
2. Wash walls and trim.
3. Wash doors, knobs and switch plates.
4. Wash bench or other furnishings. Launder bench cushion, if applicable.
5. Empty out coat closet. Wash walls and floor. Sort items as you return them to the closet.  Store out of season items, donate unneeded items. 
6. Clean or replace entry mat.
7. Sweep and scrub floors.  
8. Reseal grout lines, if necessary.

BEDROOMS

1. Open windows.
2. Dust furniture.
3. For each drawer: remove items, wash drawer, place items back neatly.  Donate Items you no longer need. 
4. Remove everything from closets. Sweep and wash closet floor. Put everything back neatly.  Donate items you no longer need. Try not to store things on closet floor.
5. Move Bed. Sort and put away anything that was under bed. Sweep or vacuum under bed. Try not to store things under bed.
6. Put bed back. Freshen mattress by sprinkling with baking soda, letting sit briefly, and then vacuuming it up.
7. Launder bedding and curtains. Wash pillows and duvet in hot water. Air out mattress pad, if you have one.
8. Dust lights. Clean lamp shades.
9. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
10. Wash switch plates. Wash walls and trim.
11. Wash mirrors or dust art.
12. Wash doors and doorknobs.
13. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
14. Sweep and wash floor or vacuum.

BATHROOMS

1. Open windows
2. Empty all cabinets and vanity. Wash inside, replace items neatly. Discard expired medications and cosmetics.
3. Wash outside of cabinets and vanities
4. Clean tub. Wax if necessary. Clean drain.
5. Clean toilet, inside and out. Remove seat and clean around seat bolts.
6. Clean sink and drain.
7. Shine faucets.
8. Clean mirror and frame.
9. Dust light fixtures. 
10. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
11. Wash switch plates. Wash walls and trim. Wash doors and door knobs.
12. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
13. Sweep and wash floors.  
14. Reseal grout lines.

KITCHEN

1. Open windows.
2. Remove and clean window coverings. Click here for instructions on cleaning mini blinds.
3. For each cabinet or drawer: Remove items, wipe out drawer, place items back neatly.  Donate unneeded items.
4. Wash and sanitize cutting boards.
5. Sharpen knives.
6. Wash cabinet doors and knobs.
7. Clean and organize pantry. Check food expiry dates.
8. Clean oven.
9. Clean stove top. Remove elements and drip bowls, if applicable, wash and put back.
10. Clean and organize fridge and freezer. Defrost freezer, if necessary. Check food expiry dates.
11. Clean under fridge and stove.
12. Vacuum refrigerator coils.
13. Clean microwave.
14. Clean crumbs out of toaster.
15. Clean and descale kettle.
16. Wipe down any other counter appliances.
17. wash counters and back splash.
18. Wash and shine sink. Shine faucet. Clean drain.
19. Clean Dishwasher.
20. Dust light fixtures.
21. Wash windows and window sills. Remove window screens and wash.
22. Wash switch plates.  
23. Wash walls and trim.
24. Wash doors and door knobs.
25. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
26. Sweep and wash floor.  
27. Reseal grout lines, if necessary.

DINING ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash curtains.
3. Wipe down table and chairs.
4. Wipe down or dust other furnishing.
5. clean chair pads, if applicable.
6. Polish table, if necessary.
7. Create a pretty spring vignette on table!
8. Dust any displayed china or serving dishes.
9. Launder table linens.
10. Shine silverware.
11. Dust art.
12. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
13. Wash switch plates.
14. Wash walls and trim.
15. Wash doors and door knobs.
16. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
17. Clean floors.

 LIVING ROOM/ FAMILY ROOM/ PLAYROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Vacuum sofas.
3. Spot clean sofas, if applicable.
4. Launder throw pillows and blankets.
5. Dust shelves, furniture and decor.
6. Clean lamps and lampshades.
7. Wash windows and window sills.
8. Take out and wash window screens.
9. Clean television screen.
10. Carefully dust electronics.
11. Tidy electronics wires. Tuck nicely out of sight. Label them, if practical.
12. Sort through music and DVD collections. Purge things that no longer suit your families interests. Organize what is left in an attractive manner.
13. Sort books and magazines. Donate or recycle ones that no longer suit your families interests.
14. Wash hard plastic children's toys with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry. Launder stuffed toys. Donate or store toys that your children have grown too old for.
15. Wash switch plates.
16. Wash walls and trim.
17. Wash doors and knobs.
18. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
19. Clean floors.

LAUNDRY ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash windows and window sills.
3. Take out and wash window screens.
4. Wash cabinet doors.
5. Wash inside cabinets.
6. Wash laundry sink. Shine faucet. Clean drains.
7. Wash outside of washer and dryer.
8. Wash inside of washing machine.
9. Wash lint trap with soap and water to remove filmy build-up from laundry soaps and dryer sheets. Let air dry thoroughly before putting back in place.
10. Wash switch plates.
11. Wash walls and trim.
12. Wash doors and door knobs.
13. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
14. Sweep and wash floors. 
15. Reseal grout lines, if applicable. 

STAIRWELLS

1. Sweep/vacuum stairs.
2. Spot clean walls.
3. Wipe down handrail.
4. Dust art and light fixtures.

OUTSIDE

1. Sweep porches and walkway.
2. Wash thresholds.
3. Wash exterior doors. Give front door a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.
4. Clean or replace welcome mat.
5. Wash siding.

REMEMBER TO:

• Clean blades of ceiling fans.
• Sort through and organize family photographs (digitally or into albums).
• Sort and clean any extra zones such as linen closets, utility closets and office spaces.

***Read the introduction to this list, complete with some helpful tips, by clicking HERE.

Happy Cleaning!"

Again, the above list is from Imperfect Homemaking, so be sure to check out the awesome site!