When setting out to start your spring cleaning, you may face unique challenges like getting into hard-to-reach spots or having limitations on modifications when sprucing up your rental property. As a home warranty expert, I'll provide practical tips to help you revive your house or apartment with a tailored spring cleaning checklist.
This guide covers all surfaces—from ceiling fans to lease agreements. You'll have the tools to create a comfortable living space and ensure a positive relationship with your landlord.
» Safeguard your space. Learn why you should invest in a home warranty plan.
Why You Should Spring Clean
You should do spring cleaning to clear out clutter and organize your home. Tidying thoroughly and removing buildup will make your living spaces feel fresh, open, and renewed. It lets you rediscover forgotten items and make room for new things you'll enjoy.
Plus, deep cleaning improves indoor air quality by reducing dust, allergens, and pollutants, making your home healthier.
This yearly routine rejuvenates a home after months of being cooped up over the winter. According to clinical psychologist Dawn Potter, PsyD, decluttering isn’t just great for our homes—it can actually lift our moods.
Here are some benefits of tidying up this season:
- Enhances your living space's freshness and openness.
- It gets you active and moving.
- You're removing potentially hazardous odors and bacteria.
- It can reduce symptoms of allergies and asthma.
Why You Need a Spring Clean Checklist
For renters, a spring cleaning checklist is crucial as it considers unique factors such as lease agreement considerations, shared amenities, and landlord-imposed restrictions. This ensures all necessary areas are covered, protecting both tenant and landlord interests.
Following a customized to-do list for spring or summer home maintenance lets you manage your journey toward a more serene space. It also protects tenants and landlords financially by addressing every area and including all necessary upkeep duties.
How to Organize Your Cleaning Checklist
- Group tasks by room or area of your home. For example, entryway, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
- Prioritize high-traffic spots like kitchens and bathrooms.
- Schedule your to-do list over multiple days to keep things efficient.
- Take note of landlord-restricted duties to avoid conflicts, like painting walls or replacing locks.
- Tailor the checklist to match your apartment's exact layout and your lifestyle.
The Ultimate Spring Clean Checklist
Home warranty services, like Home Warranty of America, can help with unexpected repairs. Still, keeping your stuff well-maintained is wise to reduce the need for claims. Spring cleaning is also a fantastic way to lengthen the lifespan of common home appliances.
Let's tick off these items in your sparkling new to-do list:
Entryway
- Wipe down the walls and switch plates.
- Wash the windows and screens.
- Dust the ceiling fans and light fixtures.
- Declutter your closets and storage areas.
- Vacuum and mop the floors.
Kitchen
- Wash the inside cabinets, drawers, and appliances like the fridge and coffee machine.
- Disinfect the countertops, sinks, and faucets.
- Thoroughly clean your garbage disposal to eliminate drain odor.
- Clear clutter from the countertops and put everything in a dedicated space.
- Organize your pantry and food storage areas.
- Scrub the oven and stovetop thoroughly.
- Empty and wipe down the refrigerator.
» Follow these tips to identify and prevent mold and mildew.
Dining Room
- Dust the lighting fixtures, window treatments, and furniture.
- Clean the tabletops, chairs, and flooring.
- Rearrange the furniture to access neglected areas, like underneath small end tables or accent chairs.
- Declutter decorative items like potted houseplants, ceramic vases, and candlesticks.
Bathroom
- Disinfect all surfaces, like the toilet, tub, sinks, faucets, and floors.
- Scrub the exhaust fans and showerheads.
- Remove any clogged hair from the shower, bathtub, or sink to prevent water damage in your home.
- Organize your toiletries, cabinets, and storage areas.
- Replace old towels, rugs, and shower curtains.
Laundry Room
- Sanitize the inside and outside of the dryer.
- Scrub your washing machine and learn how to maintain it.
- Disinfect the laundry sink and wipe down all surfaces.
- Declutter shelving and sort laundry care items.
Bedrooms
- Dust ceiling fans, windows, blinds, and baseboards.
- Declutter closets and clear anything from under the beds.
- Vacuum and steam the carpets thoroughly.
- Wash or replace bed linens and pillows.
Living Room
- Dust lighting fixtures, electronics, and décor.
- Vacuum and wash the flooring, furniture, and windows.
- Rearrange the furniture to check for neglected spots.
- Touch up walls with fresh paint if you're allowed to.
How To Maximize Your Spring Cleaning Routine
Remember to Clean Forgotten Areas
When cleaning a rental property, it's easy to overlook certain spots. Vents may be tricky to reach. Lights and areas behind appliances are often skipped because they're hard to access or you're worried about getting shocked.
Focus on high-touch surfaces that collect the most germs, like shelves, desks, doorknobs, and light switches. Also, remember dusty spots that are out of the way, like behind the TV or radio. Even if you use them daily, grime still builds up in those forgotten zones.
Declutter Your Space
When decluttering, you should focus on kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, closets, and storage spaces. This creates a more peaceful, inviting environment. If your clutter is due to storage limitations, speak to your landlord about installing built-in shelves and boxes to create more flow.
Do a Monthly Deep Clean
A thorough monthly sanitization that extends beyond just spring cleaning can sustain the appeal and functionality of your rental. Remember to use gentle, all-purpose products when disinfecting different rooms and objects. You want to ensure you don't damage any surfaces with harsh chemicals.
Timing is key here—so schedule these tasks over a few days. This will make the process less overwhelming than trying to do everything simultaneously.
Simplify Your Surroundings: Decluttering Strategies
What should you do with all those unwanted items after decluttering? Here are some suggestions:
Donate What You Don't Need
Decluttering during spring cleaning presents an ideal opportunity to contribute to those less fortunate by donating unused furniture, clothes, and various items. As you sift through your belongings, set aside gently-used goods that could impact someone else's life.
Take the initiative to connect with local donation pick-up groups, like The Salvation Army. You can schedule an at-home collection for free. Your generosity will simplify your living space and bring positive change to others.
Store Your Stuff
Since rentals usually have limited space, finding storage solutions can take time and effort. Storage containers like baskets, shelves, and under-bed bins maximize capacity and keep things tidy. You can use vertical storage with tall shelves or hanging organizers if the floor area is sparse.
Adding multifunctional furniture such as storage beds and desk coffee tables can also maximize functionality in tight rentals. If you need additional assistance, consider using a moving and storage company. Before making significant changes, check in with your landlord to ensure you follow the rental terms.
Take Advantage of Your Home Warranty
There are several reasons why you should get a home warranty if you're renting. Firstly, you'll avoid high out-of-pocket repair costs when things unexpectedly break down. The right plan will cover the charges to get your appliances, systems, and fixtures fixed or replaced. Just keep in mind the items that the home warranty doesn't cover.
For home warranty options, you can try Select Home Warranty, boasting an extensive network of over 10,000 in-network contracts, or Choice Home Warranty, featuring budget-friendly premiums and a complimentary first month.
Ready, Set, Spring Clean!
This spring cleaning checklist is tailored specifically for renters, helping you refresh the most essential and often overlooked areas. Maintaining a clean, clutter-free space enhances your mental health and the property's value. Plus, it keeps your landlord happy.
With guidance on where to start and a reliable home warranty plan, you can efficiently spruce up your nest this season.
» Need some guidance? Here's how to file a successful home warranty claim.
