Spring Cleaning Challenge

Everybody I know seems to be in the spring cleaning or decluttering mode.

I guess since the weather has started to warm up, everybody has the bug. Since my 6 tips to declutter post took off, I decided to share my 14 day Spring Cleaning Challenge.

Two Week Spring Cleaning Challenge

We all have a ton of cleaning to do and it can feel overwhelming at times.

I find that making lists always helps me to get things done. I’m more productive when I have a list to go off of.

I go through so many post it notes at work with reminders and lists of things I need to do at home.

If I didn’t make my lists, my days off would be so unproductive.

I would just be extremely overwhelmed- know I have a lot of things that need to get done but unsure of where to start. I’ve always been this way.

Making a list has always helped me feel more organized and prepared.

Organizing things is a form of stress relief for me.

See my laundry closet reorganization post.

Using Lists help me Organize and Clean up

I have also found that not only do I work best with lists, I find I am most productive when I use them.

There is something gratifying about crossing that item of the to do list.

I designate a time and day to get specific things done. So that’s where the 14 day spring cleaning challenge came into play.

It’s pretty and fun and breaks down each chore into what day you should do it.

I’ve made a beautiful, fun, bright, FREE printable for you to use.

Print it out and hang it up so you know what you are expected to do each day. It will be such an accomplishment to mark of each day once your complete it.

To download the FREE spring cleaning challenge printable, click here

Don’t have time to download or just want to know what the Spring Cleaning Challenge tasks are? 
Here you go. 

Day 1. Clean all the Windows

Clean every window in your house. If you have the means to do so, clean both the inside and outside of the windows. Wipe down the windowsills too. 

Day 2. Clean shutters and blinds

Grab your power washer and clean the shutters of the house. Go ahead and clean the rest of the house if you’re feeling extra spicy. Hit the blinds today too. Wipe them down and assess if any of them need to be replaced. Get measurements of those that need to be replaced and order them online. 

Day 3. Wipe down all the baseboards

This will be a lot of up and down work today, so be nice to your knees. 

Day 4. Fridge and Stove day

Today is a little less strenuous than yesterday. Clean out your refrigerator. Take everything out and go through it. Has it expired? Do you actually use it? 

Wipe out the shelves and storage bins. 

Don’t forget to pull out the refrigerator and clean out behind it and underneath of it as much as you can. You’ll be amazed at what collects behind it. 

Wipe down the outside of the ‘fridge. Did you know there is a RIGHT way to clean Stainless Steel appliances? 

Do you need this Refrigerator organization post? It truly transforms your messy fridge to an organized one that every child and husband can find exactly what they’re looking for. 

Do the same with the Stove. 

Day 5. Countertops and Pantry

Declutter your countertops. Get rid of the things you have taking up space that you just aren’t using. Wipe down the countertops, scrubbing any little areas that need a little extra love. 

Start at the top of the pantry and work your way to the floor. Take everything out. Check for expired things, toss them out. Then truly go through each item.

Is your family going to eat it or make use of it? If so, keep it, organize it. If not, donate it. 

Every time I do this, I try to make a list of items in the pantry that would make a good meal. Often times, I forget what we have and waste money on buying other things when I actually have food for a meal already in the pantry, just “hiding”. 

Day 6. Dishwasher and Oven

Take this day to make sure all the dishes are cleaned and put away. Then, take a to actually clean your dishwasher. Most people don’t realize how important this is. It’s so important to clean out the devices we use to clean the rest of our “life”.

Every so often, you need to clean the other appliances as well. Today, you’ll focus on the dishwasher and the oven. Depending on your oven and its cleanliness, you may just need to use the self cleaning function on your oven. But, you may need to apply some extra elbow grease to get any extra junk off the racks and bottom of the oven. 

Day 7. Bedding

Gather all the bedding from all the bedrooms around the house. Even grab the throw blankets in the family room. 

Take the day to wash, dry, fold and put away the bedding. Drying bedding, especially comforters, always seems to take a little longer than you’d like. So, take the day to just focus on getting the bedding clean and put back on the bed. 

Day 8. Vacuum and Mop

Vacuum and/or mop the common living areas (family and living room) and bedrooms if you have the energy/time. 

Mop the kitchen floor too- this is really good to do AFTER you’ve cleaned the big kitchen appliances, as they usually end up making the floor dirty too. 

Day 9. Shower and Tubs

Today’s the day to work on PART of the bathrooms. Clean every shower and tub in the house. 

Day 10. Toilets, Sinks and Vanities 

Yesterday you focused on the showers and tubs, now today you can hit the toilets, sinks and vanities. Breaking bathrooms up into two days makes cleaning the bathrooms less miserable in my opinion. 

Day 11. Doors and Walls

This is something that people tend to skip over. Grab a bucket of warm water and soap and wipe down the doors and door handles. Check out the walls, is there anything you can wipe off? How about using the good ole’ Magic Eraser?! That things has worked true magic in our house! 

Day 12. Microwave and Light Switch Covers

Today’s a pretty easy one. Take a minute to scrub out the microwave. Have you ever used a microwave steam cleaner?? This one CRACKS ME UP! It brings me joy to use it every time. 

Day 13. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

You may need a step stool or small ladder for some of the fixtures that need cleaning today. So, plan ahead and find the step stool or ladder so you’re ready. 

Now may be the perfect time to replace any burnt out light bulbs as well. 

Day 14. Kitchen Cabinets, Doors and Handles

You’ve made it to the last day! Take today to wipe down the outsides of the cabinets. A lot of grime can build up here without you even realizing it. Wipe down the door handles too. 

Make sure you take some time to empty out the cabinets, discard or donate what is not needed any longer, reorganize what you’re keeping and wipe down the shelves or drawers that help make up the cabinets. 

Now that you’ve made it through the full 14 day challenge, share with us in the comments what your favorite day was. What was the most challenging day for you? 

Want More Cleaning Tips and Challenges?

Check out this awesome course from Hillary at Pulling Curls. It’s called The Organized Home and it’s PERFECTION! It’s all about the realistic way to manage your home, reduce clutter and clean less.

You should really check it out.

If you’re looking for a quick read, check out her ebook called “The Organized Home E-book”. It’s a nice quick read and gives you the general overview of the course above.