It’s that time of year again. Three weeks into Spring and you’re beginning to think about those much-needed cleaning projects around the house. Call it procrastination or just plain defiance, it takes a lot of motivation for me to begin those mammoth chores that only happen once a year. Yet, since our family grew from three to four last year – day to day life has really taken its toll on the house and it certainly could use a deep clean detox. So who’s with me? Ready to transform grit and grim into fresh and pure?  Time to get your Spring Clean on!

While it can be a challenge to get started, there are plenty of reasons to feel inspired to tackle your growing to-do list. Home is where the heart is – so the saying goes. So just as we work hard to keep our physical hearts and that of our family in great shape, keeping our home healthy and clean makes it a safe haven for all to enjoy. And the satisfaction that comes from knowing our house is fresh, clean, and pure is an unmatched feeling!

While a thorough Spring Cleaning project can take days or even weeks to accomplish (which you mamas with small children know can be nearly impossible), challenging yourself to the toughest projects first, just might give you the motivation you need to get through your entire list and be ready to enjoy your home for the rest of the year.

High traffic areas require high maintenance, and after twelve months of wear and tear, a few simple steps for each of the most soiled rooms in your home will have it sparkling from the inside out in no time. To get started, grab a bucket and round up your favorite cleaning supplies, including your Scotch-Brite™ Extreme Scrub Sponge and Extreme Scour Pad. Nothing is worse than cleaning tools that stink! These products resist bacterial odor, cut through tough messes, and can be used on a variety of surfaces. Now that you’re well equipped – let’s do this!

KITCHEN:

• Wipe down all cabinetry and hardware from top to bottom with a damp cloth
• Wash backsplash with soap, warm water and a Scotch-Brite™Extreme Scrub Sponge
• Clean oven using the self-clean function or by using an oven cleaner
• Scrub the stove top with a few drops of dish soap and your Extreme Scrub Sponge
• To clean the racks inside your oven, scrub with a Scotch-Brite™ Extreme Scrub Scour Pad
• Wipe down the inside of the microwave by microwaving a few wet paper towels for 3-5 minutes, then wipe clean with an Extreme Scrub Sponge
• Sanitize all handles, knobs and pulls
• Empty out refrigerator and scrub inside with vinegar, water, and the sponge side of the Extreme Scrub Sponge. Use the scour side to get rid of caked on mess

Additional projects for a later date:

• Empty all cabinets and drawers. Wipe inside with a damp cloth. Reorganize everything
• Consider getting cutlery trays, drawer, and cupboard organizers to keep everything in its place
• Vacuum coils on the back of the fridge to remove dust build-up

BATHROOM:

• Pour bleach in toilet bowl and let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a toilet-bowl brush
• Clean toilet surfaces (including exterior) with disinfectant and an Extreme Scrub Sponge
• Scrub porcelain tile grout with soap, warm water and an Extreme Scrub Sponge
• Wash all surfaces and tub with soap and the sponge side of your Extreme Scrub Sponge
• Use a drain cleaner to clean out your shower drain
• Thoroughly dust and wash exhaust fan

Additional projects for a later date:

• Take everything out of drawers and cabinets and wipe inside with a damp cloth
• Organize bathroom supplies and dispose of any expired products

BEDROOM:

• Sprinkle mattress with 1/2 cup of baking soda, wait one hour (or more) then vacuum thoroughly
• Wash pillows in your washing machine (if they allow) according to instructions on tag. Be sure to wash two pillows at a time to balance the machine. Dry according to instructions and throw in a tennis ball to fluff

Additional projects for a later date:

• Clean out and organize closet and dresser drawers
• Vacuum all upholstered furniture

LAUNDRY:

• Most washers can be cleaned by running one cycle with bleach and hot water, then a second cycle with vinegar and hot water
• Wipe and detail the washing machine, not forgetting to clean out all dispenser trays
• Empty your dryer’s lint trap, vacuum inside and around the vent with the hose attachment, then wash and dry lint trap before replacing
• Gently open top of dryer and vacuum in and around the drum to get rid of all lint build-up
• Scrub your plastic laundry tub inside and out with vinegar, hot water and an Extreme Scrub Scour Pad

A few additional household areas that could use a deep clean:

• Wipe all baseboards with a dryer sheet to easily remove caked on dust
• Scrub window ledges with a toothbrush, soap, and warm water
• Clean all blinds or shutters with a damp cloth
• Vacuum all drapes and upholstered furniture from top to bottom

After taking charge of your home’s dirtiest messes, not to be neglected is ensuring the air your family breathes is also clean. Airborne allergens such as mold, pollen and dust mites can all be harmful to your family.  Did you know that the indoor air we breathe can be 2-5x worse than outdoor air? Kind of a scary thought. Filtrete™ Healthy Living Filters can improve your indoor air quality with exclusive Filtrete™ Brand 3-in-1 technology from 3M which pulls in and traps unwanted particles, allowing cleaner air to flow through.

Do you have pets or cook often? Sometimes unpleasant odours caused by pets, cooking, mildew, and smoke can detract from the impression of your home, no matter how beautiful or clean it may be. I know nothing repulses me more than walking into my house and the first thing that greets me is the scent of last night’s fish fry. Filtrete™ Home Odour Reduction Furnace Filters use activated carbon to absorb the odours in the air, thus leaving nothing but fresh, clean air inside your home.

Replacing your furnace filter every three months helps reduce allergens and ensures the quality of air you breath is of the highest standard. After replacing your filter, be sure to dust and vacuum all vents throughout the house to clear them of any build-up that blocks the path to your family breathing clean, fresh air. In addition to changing your filter regularly, did you know there are household plants that can complement your indoor air? One of my favorite flowers – the Gerbera Daisy – is one of those clean-air plants! It’s known to release oxygen day and night, helping you get a better night’s sleep. Who knew something so pretty could also contribute to the air quality in your home!

Now then, are you ready to give your home the deep clean detox it deserves? I would love to help get the job done right by setting you up with some tools you’re sure to need.  I’m giving away a gift basket (courtesy of 3M), to one of my readers, with a selection of Scotch-Brite™ products for their Spring Cleaning project.

Here’s how to enter:
1. Comment below and tell me which room in your house could most use a deep clean detox.
2. Leave your email address so I can contact you.
3. On the upper right hand side of this page, subscribe to my newsletter for blog updates.
4. For additional entries, find the cleaning bucket image on my Instagram and tag a friend.

Contest closes Monday April 18, 2016 at midnight. Open to Canadian residents only (excluding Quebec).
For more Spring Cleaning inspiration and tips, visit HomeMadeProud.ca

*Thank you 3M for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.