Spring Cleaning Challenge!

Spring is coming to Portland! The crocuses are blooming, the daffodils are coming up, and the ducks are pairing off at the park. I know Spring is but a distant dream for many parts of the country, but I still feel that the time for spring cleaning is now! Why don't we clean when it's still cold? That way it's all done once it's warm outside and you are ready to spend as much time outside as you can. I do like the idea of spring cleaning, as it feels great to start spring with a fresh house.

Today, I am starting a spring cleaning challenge. I have 23 steps to a clean house. I will do one per day, which shouldn't take much time. They are simple tasks, but add up to clean fresh house!
 The list is from a blog called Finely Ground. Here's the link for that site. 

And here is my slightly modified list:
(I replaced vacuum bag with cleaning the garage and dry clean coat with washing pillows)

Spring Cleaning Challenge

1. Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans--microfiber dampened with vinegar is good.
2. Sweep cobwebs in corners and along the ceiling.
3. Dust all horizontal surfaces—tops of doors, picture frames, shelves, baseboards, counters...
4. Spot-clean the walls.
5. Wipe down circulating fans, wall, and floor vents with a cloth dampened with vinegar.
6. Sweep the garage and straighten the contents.
7. Take everything off the bed and launder, including things you might wash less often like comforters or bedskirts.
8. Sprinkle the mattress with baking soda and let sit for at least an hour, then vacuum it all up with the brush attachment. You can do this while your bedclothes are in the wash to save steps!
9. Vacuum all upholstered furniture and vacuum or launder curtains.
10. Take rugs and mats outside and beat with a broom handle.
11. Vacuum the floor REALLY thoroughly before you put the rugs back down.
12. Spot-clean the carpet.
13. Give the kitchen a deep clean, especially the parts you usually skip (drip-pans, anyone?)
14. Check expiration dates in your fridge, pantry, and medicine cabinet, and bring things to the front—or to the garbage!—accordingly.
15. Give the bathroom(s) a deep clean, especially the parts you usually skip.
16. Go through your make-up and throw out anything that smells funny or you never use.
17. Wash windows inside and out. A mix of water and vinegar with a microfiber cloth work great!
18. Scrub out all window tracks with soapy water and an old toothbrush.
19. Go through your wardrobe and if there's things you never wear or have worn out either donate them or put them in a rag-bag.
20. Bring summer clothes to the front and hide winter clothes in the back.
21. Wash or dry clean all pillows. 
22. Treat any dingy whites to a soak in vinegar or borax. Might be a good time to do the dishcloths, too!
23. Polish and condition wood.

I hope that you will join me on my spring cleaning quest. I will be updating with my progress, as well as sharing tips and tricks for cleaning your home with green products. 

Thanks for reading! Best wishes and love from Portland.