Spring Cleaning: 15 Things That Are Often Overlooked

Try not to overcomplicate your spring cleaning this year. Remember, our parents and grandparents likely did more with less, so just because we can buy all of the latest tools and supplies, doesn’t mean we must!

Spring cleaning is usually a task taken on by the whole family, so make it safer by utilizing nontoxic cleaning agents so you won’t have to worry about pets and younger family members.
When it comes to cleaning tools, all you really need are some really good cleaning cloths, sponges, a broom, and a mop. If you’re resourceful, you can make these work in most situations, so there’s no need to buy the latest and greatest items touted across social media.

Keeping your home running smoothly means tackling maintenance tasks that may not be the most glamorous, but could contribute greatly to the energy, efficiency, and safety of your home. Here are some spring-cleaning safety tips and resources to protect your investment.

1. Check your clothes dryer vents
Over 15,000 house fires are a result of poorly maintained clothes dryers. Reduce your chance of house fire by keeping the dryer vents clean.

2. Clean out HVAC ducts
Clear HVAC ducts can greatly impact your household bills. Cleaning your ductwork isn’t as daunting as it sounds, and could potentially reduce your heating and cooling bills.

3. Clean tub jets and bathtub hardware
If you have a jetted battub, you’re probably counting down the minutes until all of the spring cleaning is complete so you can finally enjoy a soothing bath. Before you do, make sure your jetted tub is in pristine condition.

4. Test and replace fire safety equipment as needed
Fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, sprinkler systems, and smoke detectors all serve an important role in your home. Make sure they’re all in good working condition and replace or repair them if necessary.

5. Fix-a-slat: Replace or repair broken window blinds
There’s just something about broken window blinds; they can make you feel like you don’t have your life together. But you don’t need to replace the whole window treatment because repairing individual slats is fairly easy.

It’s easy to overlook some areas of the home when it comes to tackling your to-do list, but this spring-cleaning checklist will help you determine which areas of your home deserve a closer look.

6. Dust ceiling fan blades
Taking the time to dust off the ceiling fan blades eliminates the chance of dust being redistributed into your environment while the ceiling fan is in use.

7. Clean chandeliers and light fixtures
This often labor-intensive task can be daunting and probably the last thing you want to do, but the benefit of gleaming light fixtures will make your space feel bright and airy.

8. Wash baseboards
We all know they need to be done, but our baseboards often get left out on cleaning day. Baseboards often trap dust, dirt, and pet hair, but you may be able to delegate this task!

“I really hate cleaning the baseboards, but luckily my kids find it fun, so I let them take over,” mom of four Brandy J. told Mom.com. “Once the baseboards are clean, I have them go over the area with a dryer sheet, it helps to repel dust and hair for a while.”

9. Check under and behind your appliances
Keeping the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, stove, and refrigerator in tip-top shape means they’ll run better and last longer. While tending to the insides of these appliances is important, cleaning underneath and behind is crucial, too.

10. Empty and clean the refrigerator drip tray
Speaking of refrigerators, most models have a removable drip pan that catches condensation as your freezer defrosts. If the drip plan isn’t cleaned regularly — aim for every three months — it can encourage mold growth and odors. Access the drip pan from the back panel of the fridge or the kick panel; if it can be removed, it will slide out easily.

11. Sink drains and garbage disposal
Keep the sink and garbage disposal running smoothly by regularly taking time out to make sure they’re free from debris that could cause damage and odor.

“Overworked plumbing can lead to disastrous complications. We had a slow leak caused by our garbage disposal that over time caused a major problem,” mom of two Tatanisha Worthey wrote on her blog, A Worthy Read. “One of the tips our plumber told us was to de-grease the kitchen plumbing often. Once every few months is enough to prevent grease buildup.”

12. Wipe down kitchen cabinet shelves
Short of removing all of the dinnerware and cups, wiping down your kitchen cabinet shelves should take no time at all. This is another great task to delegate.

Getting resistance from family members when delegating chores? Present them as something they’re doing for the greater good, as an act of caring for others in the family rather than for a personal reward. “Avoid presenting chores as a punishment or something you do for money. This will undermine the positive effects of completing household tasks,” psychology professor Leanne Arsenault advised on the Raising Strong Girls podcast.

13. Clean and disinfect high-touch areas
Door handles, light switches, and doorknobs are the most-touched spots in your home. The pandemic changed us, of course, so many of us are already cleaning these areas. But if you’ve become lax, now is a great time to give them some attention.

14. Clean the fireplace and hearth
If you’ve used the fireplace throughout the winter, you may want to call in a professional. Otherwise, a quick once-over should do the trick.

15. Clean the things that clean the things
Faucets, brooms, mops, and soap dispensers can all get grungy and gross, so don’t forget to clean those as well.