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I like to think of spring cleaning as a way to make everything new again. After being closed up all winter, the first and most important task is to open windows. Letting out the stale smells of winter and welcoming fresh air in just seems to make everyone feel better.

I start in the back bedroom and work my way forward. I strip the bed and cover it with a blanket to keep the dust off. I wash the bedding while I'm cleaning the room. The blanket can be washed once the room is clean. The next step is to remove everything from the walls and take down the curtains. I wash the curtains after the bedding is done. The ceiling is then wiped down with a sponge mop and orange cleaner. This removes all cobwebs and dust and leaves a fresh scent. Once the ceiling is clean I tackle the closet. I remove everything in the closet and sort it. I have three stacks for clothes. The winter stack is things I'm putting away for the summer. The next stack is things I wear now and the final stack is donation. Once the closet is empty I wash the walls, shelves and hanging bar. After everything is sorted, it is put back in it's proper place. I do the same cleaning and sorting for all the dressers. Next I get a bucket of warm water and orange cleaner and wash down all the walls, stands, windowsills and woodwork. I use white vinegar and water(half and half) to clean the picture frames and the inside of the windows. I do the outside windows at a later time. Removing what furniture I can, I vacuum throughly making sure to use the edge attachment to get all dust from every edge and corner. After I'm satisfied that the room is clean and dust free I flip the mattress, change the batteries in the smoke detector, put my sheets and blankets back on the bed and put my clean pictures back up on the clean walls.

I repeat this procedure in every room. In the living room I also remove all cushions and vacuum the chairs and sofa.

In the kitchen I take everything out of every cupboard and throughly wash the inside of each one. Dishes that aren't regularly used are also washed. The appliances are pulled out and cleaned as well as the floor before they are put back.

The bathrooms are cleaned the same way. Cleaning out cupboards and the medicine cabnet, I check expiration dates and discard anything that has expired. The tub and stool are throughly scrubbed with scouring powder.

If you are a person who finds it easier to follow a list. The following is my list in order. Remember to always start at the back of the house and work your way forward.

Bedrooms- Strip the bed and wash the bedding while you're cleaning

Take down the curtains. Remove everything from the walls

Wipe down ceilings with sponge mop and orange cleaner (or your choice of cleaners)

Take everything out of closets and dressers. Wash down dressers and dresser drawers, closet walls, shelves and hanging bar.

Sort everything that was in your closet and dressers. Pack away what you won't need until winter. Donate what you can no longer wear or no longer need. Put what you will be needing back in the closet.

With warm water and cleaner wash walls, windowsills, stands and woodwork.

Make solution of half water and half white vinegar and use to clean inside windows, pictures and all other glass.

Making sure to move furniture, vacuum throughly. Don't forget the edges and corners.

Flip the mattress.

Make the bed

Change the batteries in smoke detector.

Put your freshly laundered curtains and pictures back up.
Follow these instructions for each room. Adding instructions above for kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms.

This cleaning will take several days, but it is worth the time and effort because it does make your house feel new again.

Learn more about this author, Merrie Root.
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