We all know what spring means: time for spring cleaning the farmhouse! It feels great to clear out and clean up the house, dust off the winter cobwebs that have accumulated in corners, open up the windows, and feel that great sense of renewal that comes with this special time of year!
Let’s go through each room in your house and I’ll offer some tips for cleaning and refreshing some often-forgotten areas.
Contents
Spring Cleaning the Farmhouse Living Room
- Electronics – The devil is in the details. Dust any electronics, such as the TV, remotes, and video players . It’s surprising how much dirt can accumulate on these surfaces.
- Lighting fixtures – While you’re deep cleaning, don’t forget to dust your light fixtures. It’s easy to ignore those hard-to-reach places on a normal day, but take that stool around with you when you’re deep cleaning. Metal frames, glass globes, or crystal accents all fall under this category.
- Rugs – Did you know that you can deep clean your rug? Just place it on a hard surface (not a carpet). You can vacuum it, then flip it up and sweep beneath it to get all the debris that has fallen out.
Flip the rug over and vacuum the back. Flip it up again and sweep the debris underneath. Repeat this process until there is no dust left when you’ve vacuumed both sides. - Under the furniture – We don’t usually move the couch or coffee table when we sweep. But spring cleaning is the perfect time to move them. By keeping sliders on your furniture legs, you can easily move them out of the way and protect your floor from scratches.
Bedroom
- Under the bed – This is an easy place to skip, especially if you store things here. Take everything out and vacuum underneath.
- Mattress – Did you know that your mattress needs to be cleaned? After all bedding has been removed, grab your vacuum and its upholstery attachment and thoroughly vacuum your mattress (top and sides). Sprinkle baking soda over the entire top and let it sit for 3-4 hours.
You can help kill mold or bacteria by opening the drapes and letting in as much sunlight as possible. Then vacuum up the baking soda, flip the mattress, and repeat.
Kitchen
- Pantry and cabinets – It’s a bigger project, but worth it. Organize your cluttered cabinets and pantry. Get rid of expired items, clean up spills, and wipe down all shelves and cabinet doors.
- Grout and wall paneling – Grout and the grooves between shiplap boards collect dust and dirt. For grout, clean it with an old toothbrush and use grout sealer to protect it from future dirt.
For shiplap, use that same old toothbrush to remove dirt and debris from between the boards. Then wipe with a mild cleanser and rag. - Clean the refrigerator – When you have a large family, food always gets lost in the back of the fridge. Remove all expired (or moldy) items and discard them. Thoroughly clean all shelves and drawers before you put everything back. Finally, wipe the exterior to remove fingerprints and smudges.
Outdoor Patio/Deck
- Floors – This will make your outdoor living spaces look fresh and new. You can rent a power washer at your local hardware store if you don’t have one. Move all furniture and other items from the area before you begin sweeping.
Spray along the grain to avoid splinters on wood decking. Tile, cement, and even flagstone can be power-washed. - Cushions – Wash outdoor cushions and textiles as well. Take off the covers and throw them in the washing machine, dry on the line, and then replace them and flip the cushions so they are used on both sides.
Craft room or home office
- Work surfaces and shelves – Crafts and workspaces tend to collect clutter and dust. Take everything off the desk and dust those areas. As you put back the books, craft supplies, or whatever else sits on those areas, dust them.
- Electronics – Don’t ignore the electronics. Clean computer screens, keyboards, and mice. Use a compressed air duster to clean the keyboards and crevices.
- Large objects – You should move the printer, sewing machine, and any other large objects so you can vacuum and dust those areas that are usually neglected during the rest of the year.
Bathroom
- The toilet – One of the least favorite areas to clean is also one of the most important. Remove the lid and the seat of the toilet (it’s pretty easy to do), and you’ll be able to clean those hard-to-reach places underneath. Also scrub the underside of the lip, where the water comes out.
- Sink trap – Do you see the U-shaped piping under your sink? To prevent major clogs, it should be cleaned at least four times a year. You can either pour baking soda followed by boiling water down the drain, or you can place a bucket underneath the piping under the sink, twist off the two couplings on each side of the “U” and remove the section of piping. Make sure the pipe is clear, then simply pop it back on and tighten the couplings.
- Baseboards – Wipe down the bathroom baseboards to remove dust.
Spring cleaning the farmhouse takes some work, but it’s easier when you’ve got the right tools to do the job!
