Nicki Melvin, a Delaware-based professional home-organization expert and the owner of Get Organized with Nicki, was happy to share with us a detailed analysis of this year's best spring-cleaning tips and tricks! As the weather warms and your spring-cleaning adventure begins, put Nicki's hints to use to make your home-cleaning process more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable. Keep reading to hear what Nicki had to say!
"There are so many factors to consider when spring cleaning your home that sometimes it gets overwhelming. If you have children that still live at home, then it can feel like you’ll never get it all done. Most people get overwhelmed with the clutter, not by the cleaning itself. It’s hard to clean when you can’t get to what needs to be cleaned. That’s why I prefer to clean in zones. Here are six zones along with what to do in each zone. Don’t sweat it if you don’t get it done in one day. It’s not a race! Enlist the help of your kids and spouse. Maybe consider doing one zone per day, or wait until a rainy weekend and do a couple of zones. You got this…and if you don’t, give me a call at 302-313-1494. I can help!"
Zone 1: Bedrooms
Disinfect (don’t forget doorknobs)
Clean ceiling fans
Clean baseboards
Clean light fixtures
Dust
Reorganize closets
Reorganize dressers and nightstands
Purge and declutter
Vacuum and mop
Clean windows and window treatments
Zone 2: Kitchen & Dining Room
Disinfect (don’t forget doorknobs)
Clean ceiling fans
Clean baseboards
Clean light fixtures
Clean backsplash
Clean hood vent
Vacuum HVAC vents
Wipe down cabinets
Clean stove (pull it out and clean behind it)
Clean out fridge (pull it out and clean behind it)
Clean dishwasher
Clean small appliances (i.e., coffee maker and toaster)
Reorganize pantry (check expiration dates)
Reorganize cabinets
Purge and declutter
Vacuum and mop
Clean windows and window treatments
Zone 3: Den, Living Room, & Family Room
Disinfect (don’t forget doorknobs and remotes)
Clean ceiling fans
Clean baseboards
Clean light fixtures
Vacuum HVAC vents
Vacuum furniture
Consider rearranging furniture for a fresh look
Reorganize any furniture that has drawers (i.e., entertainment centers and side tables)
Purge and declutter
Vacuum and mop (move all furniture to get underneath each item)
Clean windows and window treatments
Zone 4: Home Office
Disinfect (don’t forget doorknobs, the computer mouse, and keyboards)
Clean ceiling fans
Clean light fixtures
Clean baseboard
Dust
Vacuum HVAC vents
Reorganize desktop and drawers
Reorganize file cabinets, closets, and shelves
Purge, declutter, and shred unnecessary documents
Vacuum and mop (move all furniture to get underneath each item)
Clean windows and window treatments
Zone 5: Bathrooms, Laundry Room, & Mud Room
Disinfect (don’t forget doorknobs)
Clean baseboards
Clean light fixtures
Reorganize medicine cabinets (look for expiration dates)
Reorganize vanity (look for expired makeup)
Reorganize under the sinks
Reorganize linen closets and cabinets
Reorganize shelves
Purge and declutter
Vacuum HVAC vents
Wash shower curtains and replace shower liners
Clean washer and dryer (make sure dryer vent is free of lint)
Vacuum and mop
Clean windows and window treatments
Zone 6: Foyer & Porch
Disinfect (don’t forget doorknobs)
Clean baseboards
Clean ceiling fans
Clean light fixtures
Reorganize furniture with drawers
Purge and declutter
Vacuum and mop
Powerwash porch and outdoor furniture
Clean windows and window treatments
To learn more about Nicki's services, or to hire her as your very own Delaware-based home-organization expert, visit http://www.getorganizedwithnicki.com/!