My Non-Toxic Spring Cleaning Checklist
To Begin…
If you have an Aga, turn it off and leave the doors open to allow the Aga to cool down.
Open your windows and doors to allow the fresh air in. Did you know that the air within our homes tends to be more polluted than the air outside.
Collect all of the towels, hand towels, bath mats and tea towels from around your home and put them in the wash.
Strip your bed ready to go in a later wash.
Prepare your homemade multipurpose spray; simply add around 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water to a spray bottle, label it, and add a few drops of an essential oil. I’m using tea tree, geranium and lemon essential oils for my spring cleaning!
If you don’t want to make your own cleaning sprays, you could use Purdy & Figg’s multipurpose cleaner which is non-toxic and more environmentally friendly than traditional cleaning sprays.
Set up a new spring-scented diffuser or light a scented candle (choosing a more natural candle brand if possible – look out for brands who use either soy wax or beeswax, and who use essential oils for scent rather than artificial fragrances).
Disinfect light switches and door handles around your home using your multipurpose spray and a microfibre cloth.
Kitchen
Dust your kitchen thoroughly, including light fittings, window frames, the corners of the room and any open shelving.
Give ‘less regularly used’ dishes that have collected dust a quick wipe then put them in the dishwasher.
Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice, such as lemon (citrus essential oils are great for cutting through grease).
Remove any items such as vases, trinkets and salt & pepper mills from their spots around the kitchen and give them a good clean in the sink.
Deep clean your oven using the steam clean method (see below), to avoid using harmful chemicals.
Empty & clean your fridge, disposing of any products that have gone off.
Empty & defrost your freezer disposing of any products that have gone off.
Declutter your pantry and discard any expired products, then wipe the shelving before returning the items.
Kitchen Continued
Clean your dishwasher filter then run a cleaning cycle by running the dishwasher empty with half a cup of white vinegar.
Unclog the kitchen sink drain by sprinkling in half a cup of baking soda, then half a cup of white vinegar. This will cause a fizzing reaction. Leave to work for 30 minutes then flush with hot water to remove debris.
Empty your bins and clean them using your multipurpose spray, before adding fresh bin liners.
Run the cleaning programme on your coffee machine and change the internal water filter if needed.
Wipe down the inside of your microwave using a little washing up liquid to degrease.
Change the filter in your jug / countertop / under-sink water filter if needed.
Wipe down your surfaces, cupboard doors and tiles using your homemade multipurpose spray and a microfibre cloth.
Vacuum the kitchen then mop the floors using a bucket of water with a cup of white vinegar and a few drops of your favourite essential oil added in.
HOW TO STEAM CLEAN YOUR OVEN
Sweep out any crumbs left in your oven, then place an oven dish filled with water and half a cup of white vinegar in the middle of the oven.
Heat your oven to 230C and leave the water to boil for around 30 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the door open to allow it to cool until it’s cool enough to touch.
Use a microfibre cloth to wipe away any grime. If there is any stubborn grime left, create a paste using some baking soda and water; apply the paste to the oven and leave to work for around 15 minutes before scrubbing off with a brush.
If your oven racks are particularly dirty, you can leave them to soak in the sink filled with water and half a cup of baking soda for up to 30 minutes before scrubbing them clean with a brush or cloth.
Living Room
Take your cushions outside to beat the dust from them and wash the cushion covers if they are removable.
Lint roll your sofas and furniture, particularly if you have fluffy pooches as I do!
Dust your living room from top to bottom, removing books and trinkets from shelves, thoroughly dusting the shelves and the items on them.
Refresh any blooms or house plants you may have (house plants need fresh compost every year to stay healthy), or bring some fresh blooms into your living room.
Polish any wooden furniture with a non-toxic furniture polish.
Beat your rug outside to remove any dust or crumbs.
Vacuum your living room, then mop the floors if you have hard floors.
BATHROOM
Declutter old or expired products then clean the inside of your cupboards before putting the products back.
Deep clean your shower & toilet using a paste made of baking soda and water. Leave the paste to work for 30 minutes on particularly dirty areas (or areas with a build-up of limescale) before scrubbing.
Unclog the drains in your sinks, toilets, showers and baths by sprinkling in half a cup of baking soda, then half a cup of white vinegar. Leave to work for 30 minutes then flush with hot water to remove debris.
Clean your mirrors using your multipurpose spray and a microfibre cloth, then dry the mirrors with a dry microfibre cloth to ensure they’re totally dry and streak free.
Vacuum and mop your bathrooms.
Bedroom
Open the windows to allow fresh air in while you clean.
Wash your dressing gowns & any throws & cushion covers.
Dust the room from top to bottom, including behind artwork and mirrors.
Vacuum your mattress then rotate or flip it – this should be done every 3-6 months to increase the lifespan of your mattress.
Wipe all surfaces with your homemade multipurpose cleaner and a microfibre cloth.
Tidy your bedside table drawers, disposing of any products which have expired.
Vacuum your bedroom, moving furniture to vacuum hard-to-reach places.
Home Office
Clean your tech appliances such as laptops, tablets and speakers by adding a drop of washing-up liquid to a bowl of water and using a microfibre cloth. Be sure to wring out your cloth well before cleaning tech to prevent water damage.
Dust your office from top to bottom including behind artwork and furniture.
Clean your desk and the items on it with your multipurpose spray and a cloth.
Vacuum your office chair seat (if it’s fabric).
Vacuum your home office, moving furniture to vacuum hard-to-reach places.
Utility / Laundry Room
Clean the exterior of your washing machine, the inside of the door and the rubber seals using your multipurpose spray. Then tip half a cup of baking soda into the drum and run a wash on the cleaning setting (or a long and hot setting) without any clothes in the machine.
Clean the exterior of your drier using your multipurpose spray and clear out the filter.
Take pet beds outside to beat off as much pet hair as possible, then wash along with their blankets and towels.
Vacuum and mop the room.
BONUS TASKS
If you’ve cleaned your house from top to bottom, but are still in the mood to complete a few additional tasks, here are a couple of extra things you could turn your attention to…
Restock your cleaning supplies if needed, so they’re ready for next time!
Do your spring wardrobe switch-over, donating any unwanted clothing to charity.
Book in your window cleaner (or clean your windows yourself!).
Wash your patio & outdoor furniture so they’re ready for the summer season.
Do a clear out of your attic, shed and garage.
Get your car cleaned (or clean it yourself – all you need is a hose, a bucket, a sponge, a couple of microfibre cloths and a vacuum cleaner).
