Spring Cleaning to Get Your House on the Market

• Posted on March 11, 2016

If you’re thinking of putting your house on the market this year, then it’s time to do spring cleaning like you’ve never done it before. Deep cleaning now will save you a lot of time and stress when it’s time for showings and when it’s time for moving. And make sure as you go along that you’re on the lookout for things you don’t need anymore that can be thrown out, sold or donated.

Good spring cleaning takes time, but it pays off. Here are the big (and little) cleaning spots you won’t want to miss:

• Storage spaces: especially the basement, garage, and closets. Now is the time to go through and get rid of what you don’t need so you can get the space looking neat and organized. Wash walls, floors, and shelves. Clear the floors and keep them clear. If there are things stored there, they need to go somewhere else.

• Walls: Wash all your walls, including baseboards and any decorative molding.

• Doors: Wash the doors themselves, then wipe and polish doorknobs and hinges.

• Entry mats: Vacuum and clean as much as possible, but if they’re too worn out to look nice after cleaning, replace them.

• Floors: Sweep, scrub, and vacuum every inch of floor, including under your oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. If you have tile floors, clean the grout between the tiles. Don’t forget stairs, too.

• Light fixtures and ceiling fans: Dust these thoroughly and wash the fan blades. Clean lamps and lampshades.

• Switch covers: Wipe them down and replace any that are cracked or broken.

• Windows: Wash the windows, window sills, window tracks, screens, blinds, and curtains.

• Wall hangings: This includes mirrors, artwork, and photos. Wash mirrors and glass on art and photos. Dust all frames.

• Vent covers: Wash all vent covers, whether they’re in the floor, walls, or ceiling.

• Cabinets: Wash cabinet doors. Empty and wash out the cabinets and drawers. Polish handles and hinges.

• Medicine cabinet: Wash inside and out. And make sure to check for anything expired or that you no longer need.

• Faucets: Shine and polish fixtures.

• Refrigerator/Freezer: Clean front and inside of fridge and freezer (defrost the freezer if necessary).

• Oven and stovetop: Clean thoroughly inside and out. If you have an oven drawer, empty and wash it out, too.

• Washer and dryer: Clean the outside of both and the inside of your washer.

• Small kitchen appliances: Wipe or wash anything that lives on your kitchen counters, including your standup mixers, coffee maker, toaster, blender, or knife block.

• Dining chairs: Wipe down chairs and clean any upholstery.

• Tables: Wipe and polish the dining table as well as end tables, side tables, coffee tables, and nightstands.

• Sofas and upholstered chairs: Vacuum cushions and under them. Spot treat stains. Launder throw pillows.

• TV: Clean and dust.

• Electronic cords: Dust cords and move them out of sight where possible.

• Shelves: Clear off all shelves, dust, and only replace what you need and/or what looks nice.