Bedroom Spring Cleaning

It always seems that one of the annual rituals of household organizing—known as Spring cleaning—can be quite overwhelming at times. I find it is easier to get this type of cleaning done if I tackle one room at a time. In my case, tackling the bedroom first brings me the most satisfaction and just adds to that "hey—I'm getting organized!" feeling that I need.

When I am cleaning, I find that it helps to start with all the cleaning supplies in one place. This helps to keep me focused instead of having to run all over the place to get various cleaning supplies. Here are the supplies I like to have within arm's reach:

• Window cleaner
• Clean dust rags
• Furniture polish
• Vacuum cleaner with attachments
• Broom or mop
• Garbage bag

I start out by doing a ten- to fifteen-minute quick pickup in the bedroom. This is not the time that I focus on de-cluttering the bedroom; that comes later during the actual deep cleaning. But I do throw away anything that is obviously clutter and garbage.

With the quick clean-up done, I jump right into the deep cleaning. Here are the things I do to make sure the cleaning and organizing gets done the way it needs to:

• Dust the ceiling and corners. Take a broom or a mop and wrap a soft cloth around it (down by the mop or the straw part of the broom). Dust the corners of the walls to get rid of any cobwebs. Shake the soft cloth and then rewrap the broom or mop and dust the ceiling.
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans need to be dusted and cleaned. Carefully remove any light fixtures that are on the ceiling. Dust the covers and, if dirty, clean the light fixture with warm soapy water. Dry the light fixture and put it back onto the light. If there is a ceiling fan, now is the time to clean it, too. Dust the fan and the fan blades. If needed, use a gentle cleanser with warm water to wipe the blades and fan clean.
• Clean the walls. Looking at the walls, check to see if they just need to be washed or will a dusting work? If they are just dusty (yes, walls do get dusty) take the broom with the cloth wrapped around it and dust the walls. Anything that is on the walls needs to be cleaned and dusted, too, such as wall art. When cleaning the wall art spray the cleaner onto a clean cloth then wipe the frame and glass. Now is also a good time to clean any mirrors. Remember to wash off the doorknobs and electric switches as well as the air vents.
• Remove the draperies and curtains and check to see if they are dirty or just dusty. If the draperies and curtains are dirty then clean them according to the directions. If the drapes and curtains are only dusty then place into the clothes dryer and run the dryer on air only. This will remove any of the dust from the fabric. While the draperies and curtains are getting aired out in the dryer; dust the blinds or any other window treatments along with the windowsills. Wash the outside and the insides of windows. Put the window treatments such as the draperies and curtains back where they belong.
• Wash the bedding; this includes the mattress pad, pillows, and comforter—anything that is associated with the bed. After removing the bedding, vacuum the mattress and then flip the mattress. Flipping the mattress helps to preserve the mattress giving it a longer life. Replace the bedding with clean bedding.
• Dust and clean the furniture. Using a duster, dust all the furniture along with any knick-knacks and the lampshade. If the duster doesn't seem to get the lampshades clean enough then use a vacuum attachment to help clean the lamp shades.
• Clean the floor, including the floor under the bed. Remove everything from under the bed. Dust and mop the hardwood floors. If the floor is carpeted then vacuum and spot clean any carpeted areas in the bedroom. If the carpet is soiled more than what a spot cleaning would do, shampoo the carpet.

As I am cleaning (and especially as I yank things out from under the bed), I make sure that before I put things away I stop to think if the place they are going—and the place where they were—is where they really belong. If not, then I take the time to put them away right away, without delay. You'll also notice that I don't spend a whole lot of time cleaning out the bedroom closets. They are a big enough project that they deserve their own time and attention.

Before putting away all the cleaning supplies, I survey the room to see if there is anything that I missed. If I haven't missed anything then all supplies are put away and I step back and enjoy looking at the clean bedroom.