Ready for spring cleaning? After a long winter, everyone seems to be excited to finally see spring arrive. Spring cleaning in West Michigan is a great time to open your windows to let the fresh air in. Months of dust and debris have accumulated in the hard to reach spots, so now is a great time to clean it out. We all know spring is a great time to clear out the West Michigan winter blues and get a jump start on some maintenance around the house. Spring cleaning is also a great chance to get active or maybe find items you’ve lost but since forgotten about. Below are a few items that you can use to begin your spring cleaning fun or you could give us a call and we can get that done in a jiffy. Spring is just around the corner so let’s get started for West Michigan summer fun.

Spring cleaning can be a great time to dig out your old items you don’t want anymore to maybe donate them to charity, sell them on eBay, or maybe start a garage sale. Or while you’re cleaning out your couch maybe you will find some spare change to toss in a jar. Before you begin, don’t forget about the Grand Haven cleaning services we offer. It can be a great way to tackle those items you just do not have time for. We can deep clean, carpet clean, even machine wash tile and grout. Check out our cleaning services page for a quick look at what we can provide. While you’re running about taking care of things, consider replacing older light bulbs with newer LED light bulbs and replacing your furnace filters. Increased efficiency lowers costs.

Kitchen Cleaning

box up food, and clean interior of your refrigerator
check expiration dates on food items – especially spices
disinfect and clean out small appliances, such as toasters, toaster ovens, blenders, etc
clean pot racks and hangers (remove dust, grease, and grime that builds up over time)
clean and disinfect door handles/knobs, light fixtures/switches
sanitize cutting boards
disinfect and descale coffee makers
deep clean pots, pans, and other bakeware
check for leaks and clean under your sink area
take items out of cabinets and clean interior/exterior
change hood vent filters and clean hood vent
clean stovetop and interior, oven racks
replace any water filters
check the freezer for expired items
clean tile and grout flooring/walls
disinfect and clean trash cans
organize pantry items by oldest best by date forward
check behind and under large appliances, clean and sanitize

Bathroom Cleaning

dust molding and light fixtures
clean mirror
replace or clean shower curtains
clean toothbrush holders and replace toothbrushes/or new heads
clean faucets and bowls
disinfect and clean countertops
clean and check grout lines, reseal if needed
clean and disinfect toilet, check seals for leaks
check inside toilet tank to make sure all parts are working and in good condition
check shower glass, clean soap scum
clean shower doorframe
clean or replace floor mats
clean and disinfect trash cans
check caulk around the shower/bath area
throw away old items like makeup and that weird smelling cologne someone bought you

Laundry Room Cleaning

check and clean dryer vent, check dryer vent exhaust for issues (outside too)
clean dust and debris behind washing machine and dryer
wash floor/ check grout and reseal if needed
clean walls
get rid of products you don’t use
organize items into bins or shelves
check drains for obstructions or mold

Living Room And Dining Room Cleaning

dust from top to bottom
move furniture and vacuum
wash baseboards
dust light fixtures
clean and polish molding
polish leather sofas, or deep clean couches with hot water extraction or steam cleaning
clean blinds and curtains
check windows for problems/ clean glass and sill areas
dust electronics area (don’t spray directly on items)
organize your VHS tapes (kidding!) make sure DVD’s are in the right sleeves
clean game controllers and remotes

Bedroom Cleaning

dust top to bottom
clean sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads, and comforters. Check mattress for replacement or clean. Flip your mattress as needed.
clean baseboards
wash marks on any walls
clean ceiling fans and vents
organize closets and dressers, consider donating items
wash windows, check for leaks or mechanical issues
vacuum floor and under furniture
deep clean carpets with a machine

Well, that wasn’t a super detailed list, but it will get you started on your West Michigan spring cleaning. Most issues with home ownership can be avoided with just a little effort like checking for water leaks and any mold growth. Some of the more severe things to look out for are checking your outlets for burn marks, dryer vents, and water leaks. Hiring a cleaning service in West Michigan doesn’t mean you also get a home inspector, but at Pam And A Bucket we are very aware of some issues and are quick to point them out to you if we spot something funny. Another area to check would be utility areas. Poke your head around and look for any issues near your furnace area or where the water line enters your home, if you spot something out of the ordinary you should contact a professional. If you have a basement, checking the walls for moisture issues is a good idea too. Don’t forget, If you have forced air heating like most do, now is a great time to call a professional and have your air ducts thoroughly cleaned out.

Air Duct Cleaning

– Sometimes new homeowners overlook this detail or its not in their budget. We never give it much thought about what really is in our air ducts. Having your air ducts cleaned out is pretty straightforward. A professional cleaner can come out and open your vents, then with a long hose can use pressurized tools to clean inside your air ducts, removing debris, dust builds up, and hopefully not – mold.

Water System

– Use this time of year to remove old water filters or check water heaters and water softeners for any problems. If you have a reverse osmosis water filter nows a great time to change out your filters or check the water tank for any problems. Just to add more work why not have your water tested for any issues? With the increased problems occurring with city water systems these days, get some peace of mind and pick up a kit from your local hardware store, they are inexpensive and can give you confidence that your water is clean and safe for consumption.

Appliance Cleaning

– Appliance cleaning is important too. For dishwashers, you can pick up a special dishwasher cleaner online or any retail store. It’s a good idea to clean out filters and remove any debris inside, then run a cycle using the directions on the bottle. Have stainless steel appliances? You can bring back that luster and shine with specialty cleaning and polishing products. Use them for items like your dishwasher, oven, and refrigerator. Does your washing machine smell off? There are a few ways to tackle that funky smell. There are a few DIY methods online, like using a cup of vinegar or a mixture of baking soda. Or you can just pick up a product specifically for washing machines, run a cycle and enjoy a clean machine again. Check washing machine hoses. If your hoses are older then 5 years, they have the potential to leak, making you the proud owner of an indoor pool. Washing machine hoses are very inexpensive, water damage costs could reach thousands. Start your spring cleaning off to promote a healthy and clean atmosphere in your home. There’s no downside to properly maintaining your home. At Pam And A Bucket, we enjoy helping out during spring cleaning season. The amount of work to be done could be time-consuming and can distract you from what you wanted to get done. Our Grand Haven cleaning team members know just what to do, just contact us and we will be there ready to tackle your spring cleaning needs.

Outdoor Bonus Cleaning Tips:

Garage Cleaning:

Your Garage sometimes can become your “catch-all” for items you don’t want indoors. Here are a few tips to get your garage spring ready. Pull all items out, make a keep and toss piles clearly labeled. now that the garage is empty come up with a storage solution to prevent having to do this again, or at least make it much easier. Maybe more shelving or plastic bins? Maybe use the space above and install some rack space for items very rarely used. Or consider picking up some inexpensive shelving units with doors. Garage sales, eBay, or donating to charity is a great way to get rid of your old items.

Shed Cleaning:

Checking for roof leaks. critter intrusion, making sure any products weren’t damaged by freezing temps. Check outside along the walls and look for any holes from chipmunks or other evil creatures digging into your shed. If your shed became another “catch-all” for yard toys and other items consider installing more shelving and storing items in plastic bins with a lid. If your kids have outgrown or don’t play with some items anymore nows a great time to toss them.

Pool Cleaning:

If your a pool or hot tub owner you know opening your pool for the season is a must. Stocking up on chemicals, replacing filters, checking outlets, and hoses are all just the beginning. If you use testing strips make sure they are still good, or maybe pick up some new testing chemicals if you use a more advanced method. Hiring a professional pool maintenance tech is a good idea here, they can cut down the amount of work and time it takes to open and close your pool for the season and notify you of any issues with your equipment that you were unaware of.

Yard Cleaning:

spread grass seed fertilize look for moles digging around, try to plant that shrub early or try and build a low maintenance yard. clean up old leaves this keeps a lot of creatures out. get rid of objects that hold standing water to prevent mosquito growth so you can enjoy those nice summer months with minimal bites. test your sprinkler system for problems such as low pressure or busted sprinkler heads.

Garden Prep:

If you were planning on starting a garden this year this is the time to begin picking your spot amending the soil and planning out what you’re going to grow. If you were thinking about planting a fruit tree, apple and pear trees are a good idea to start now, here’s a link to show where you should begin.

Automotive Cleaning

: Spring cleaning your car is a pretty good idea too. Checking tire pressure and tire wear is a good idea, making sure your fluids are topped off, and doing an oil change is a great way to keep your vehicle running smooth. During those West Michigan winter months, we walk on salted driveways and sidewalks to our vehicles. That salt combines with the melting water on our boots and ends up on our floor mats and interior carpet. This also happens to the carpet in our homes too! There are many car wash facilities where you can hang your mats and thoroughly clean them. Consider having your interior carpet cleaned with using a high-pressure hot water or you can hire a carpet cleaning service to do this for you.