Use this handy spring cleaning checklist

(NC) After the long Canadian winter, there's something about this time of year that inspires us to throw open our windows and let the fresh breeze in. Spring is an ideal time to de-clutter and infuse renewed energy into our living space.

A complete spring clean overhaul can take days of course, so plan accordingly and set a realistic schedule. The following tips will soon have your home dust-free:

• Before you begin cleaning, categorize the list of jobs required (e.g. cleaning baseboards, organizing cupboards, washing curtains). Although it seems easier to tackle all the vacuuming at once, completing one room at a time will give you the satisfaction to continue.

• Begin with dusting and vacuuming surfaces—from ceiling to baseboards—as well as chandeliers, light bulbs and light fixtures. Spring cleaning does require a little old fashioned elbow grease. Scrub floors with a scrubbing brush and cleaning solution, clean the grout on tiled floors. If you don't already own one, rent a steam cleaner for carpets.

• Take down window treatments and wash or dry clean. Wipe wooden blinds with a gentle wood cleaner, wash aluminum blinds outdoors where they can dry. Clean the inside of windows.

• As a rule, work from the top down, so areas don't get dirty again. However, when it comes to washing walls, it is easier to start from the bottom using a sponge mop. This way, you can more easily clean up any drips.

• In the kitchen, thoroughly clean the tops of cabinets, fridges and stove vent. Be ruthless with the contents of your fridge and throw out anything old, or furry. Defrost your freezer, empty the contents and wipe the inside with a mix of a litre of hot water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

• In the bedroom, flip your mattress and edit your wardrobe. Store away winter garments until the next season and get rid of clothes you haven't worn for more than a year; don't save them for “someday”.

• Organize bookshelves and storage cabinets. Spring cleaning is a good time to donate unused or unwanted items. One place you can donate is to a ReStore of homebuilding organization, Habitat for Humanity. It accepts everything from furniture, household products, to even the kitchen sink. And ReStores provide a tax receipt for the value of your donation. You can find one in your community at www.habitat.ca/restore.

• Spring cleaning is also an ideal time to safely dispose of expired medications and replace batteries in your smoke detector.

Once the work is done, open the windows wide and let that fresh spring air in.

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