The big-picture ABCs to help prioritize tasks

There's nothing like a good spring cleaning to shed winter's darkness. It's time to clean all those neglected spots and get rid of whatever has accumulated. Spring cleaning and getting your home organized also boosts your self-esteem, instills self-confidence, and reduces stress. 

But, when you walk into each room and survey what all has to be done, it can be overwhelming.

Don't be discouraged. Spring cleaning doesn't have to be done in a day, a weekend, or even a week. I find doing it room by room is less daunting and much more satisfying.

One of the handiest ways to deal with your spring cleaning checklist is to use the acronym ABC, as proposed by the American Cleaning Institute.

A = Asthma and allergy triggers

Being cooped up all winter long can lead to an accumulation of dust and dust bunnies, pet dander, skin mites, and more. Whether anyone in your household suffers from asthma or allergies or not, there's someone in your life who does. Now's the time to do a clean sweep.

If someone is a sufferer, start in their bedroom first. Work from top to bottom. Remove and clean the air diffusers. Reach into the vent with a damp cloth and wipe the duct down. And if you've never had your vents cleaned before, do it. Just make sure you use a company that specializes in negative air pressure cleaning.

Carefully dust the ceiling fan, vacuum the cobwebs from the corners, wash the curtains and all bedding. Wipe down the ceiling and walls with a damp sponge. Clean windows, window frames, windowsills, and window tracks. Dust all surfaces including furniture and knickknacks.

Mop the floor. Thoroughly vacuum carpets. Steam-clean them if you can. If there are throw rugs, check the back to see if there's latex. If so and the latex is not cracked, you can probably machine wash them in a gentle, all-cold cycle. Hang dry, unless your dryer is specifically rated for latex and rubber (most are not). Otherwise, you may need to resort to the old-fashioned way of taking them outside, shaking them out or even possibly beating them—as long as it's a low-pollen-count day, there's little wind, and the sun is shining. Or, easier yet, throw them and replace them.

Repeat this process in every room.

B = Bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew

I know we've been more aware of keeping surfaces clean over the past year. But sometimes it's easy to get sloppy. And chances are there are some places that have been completely overlooked.

All places that hands and feet touch need to be thoroughly cleaned. Use mold and mildew remover products if necessary.

Clean and sanitize:

• All doorknobs and locks—interior and exterior
• Countertops in bathrooms, the kitchen, and the laundry room
• Cabinet knobs and any edges you might grab in order to open them
• Phones, smartphones, tablets, eReaders, computer keyboards, mice, etc.
• Remote controls for TVs, stereos, fans, etc.
• Buttons on other devices like toasters, blenders, etc.
• Desk surfaces, pens, pencils, etc.
• Bathroom flooring, tile grout (be sure to reseal after a thorough cleaning), and caulking
• Tubs, sinks, and showers
• Electric toothbrushes and water flossers
• Shower curtains need a thorough cleaning too as do shower heads
• Underneath and behind the refrigerator

In the kitchen, most oven and stove knobs pull off so they can easily be cleaned. Grates and drip pans are removable too. If your oven has a self-cleaning cycle, use it.

For more tips on cleaning refrigerators and stoves, read our kitchen appliance maintenance blog.

C = Clutter

Whether you've been stuffing closets, hiding things under the bed, or tossing items into an unused room, now's the time to dejunk and organize what's left.

Make piles. Put likes with likes. If you haven't used it in a year, donate it. It's time to let it go and provide others with the opportunity to enjoy what you've enjoyed.

Now that you've dejunked, put things back—again, like with like. If you cannot put things back in an organized way, it's time to consider boxing things. There are lots of different shapes and styles of storage boxes from which to choose.

If you still can't get a handle on things, you can always rent a storage unit. But that's usually only a delaying tactic. It's best to deal with it now if you can.

C also equals Cleaning home appliances like washers and dryers

Your washer and dryer work hard. Yet we rarely, if ever, take time to give them the TLC they need.

Carefully move them away from the wall. Remove anything that's fallen behind them then thoroughly vacuum and mop. Wipe down the walls and remove dust from hoses and ductwork.

Check to see if those hoses and ductwork are still securely fastened to the appliances and are in good shape. If it's been 5 years or longer since your washing machine water inlet hoses have been changed, do it now.

Be sure to read our blog about washer and dryer maintenance tips for added cleaning steps you should take.

Spring cleaning results

If an actual spring cleaning checklist will help you stay on track, we know you'll find these links helpful:

• Taste of Home
• Martha Stewart
• Molly Maid
• Sylvane
• Whirlpool

Depending on how thorough a job you do and the time you have available to do it, let the tasks set the timetable. Don't try to do everything during a whirlwind weekend.

 As you accomplish each task on your checklist, you'll feel so much better. And you've primed your home so it's ready for summertime activities and parties—with no worries about accidentally grossing out your guests.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Certified Appliance Accessories is not liable or responsible for any damages resulting from or related to your use of this information.