THE L W S L

S P R ING
CLEANING
PLANNER
2017

L I V ING WE L L
SPENDING LE S S
 YOUR GUIDE TO A
STRESS FREE, MESS FREE
HOME

Copyright 2017 Living Well Spending Less

 SPRING CLEANING GOALS
W H A T S Y O U R M O T I VA T I O N T O C L E A N ?

Why does having a clean house MATTER to me?

What are my TOP FIVE Spring Cleaning Goals?

What are my biggest STRUGGLES OR OBSTACLES when it come to keeping

my house clean?

What are some ways I could OVERCOME those obstacles?

How much time am I willing to COMMIT to getting and keeping my

house clean on a weekly basis?

Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides

 YOUR HOUSE WILL NOT
MAGICALLY
CLEAN ITSELF. YOU HAVE TO
WORK
AT IT
ruth soukup
MASTER CLEANING LIST

EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY

DAY WEEK MONTH QUARTER YEAR

tidy bookshelves
LIVING

dust surfaces
AREAS

wipe polish furniture

wipe/windex windows vacuum furniture condition leather
pick up clutter rotate seasonal decor
or kid- level windows clean baseboards furniture
sweep
mop
vacuum

sanitize counter tops

DINING &
KITCHEN

disinfect microwave
toss old food
clear/wipe counters clean oven
wipe appliances polish appliances
wash dishes change water filter clean behind
straighten pantry & clean refrigerator
empty garbage appliances
cupboards
wipe down doors
sweep & mop
BEDROOMS

dust surfaces
make bed change & launder
pick up clothes your sheets sort/purge closet &
straighten closet clean baseboards drawers clean behind furniture
sweep flip mattress
mop
vacuum
BATHROOMS

wash towels
clean toilet
clear counters
scrub shower & tub wash shower curtain
wipe sinks replace toothbrushes replace worn towels
windex mirrors/fixtures wash bathmats
hang towels
clean sinks/counters
sweep & wipe floor

pay bills that are due

dust desk area
PAPER &

wipe down surfaces

OFFICE

file papers in inbox archive files

sort mail clean computer sort/purge paperwork
update calendar collect tax info
sweep
mop
vacuum
PLANNING

do laundry
check batteries in
& MISC.

meal planning
clean out purse smoke detector wash windows
15 minute prep make grocery list
drop off dry cleaning change air filters clean curtains
go grocery shopping
water plants

Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides

W E E K L Y C L E AN I N G P L A N

M O N DAY
DAILY
TA S KS
MORNING

T UESDAY

W EDNESDAY

MIDDAY

T HURSDAY

F RI DAY

EVENING

SA T URDAY

SUNDAY

Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides

LIVING WELL PLANNER LIVINGWELLPLANNER.COM

 MARCH 2017

SUN D AY MONDAY T U ESDAY WEDNESD A Y

26 27 28 1

5 6 7 8

12 13 14 15

19 20 21 22

26 27 28 29
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sid
 THUR SD AY FRIDAY SAT U RDAY NOTE S

2 3 4

9 10 11

16 17 18

23 24 25

B I G D AY S

30 31 1
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sid
 APRIL 2017

SUN D AY MONDAY T U ESDAY WE DNESD A Y

26 27 28 29

2 3 4 5

9 10 11 12

16 17 18 19

23 24 25 26
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sid
 THUR SD AY FRIDAY SAT U RDAY NOTE S

30 31 1

6 7 8

13 14 15

20 21 22

B I G D AY S

27 28 29
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sid
 MAY 2017

SUN D AY MONDAY T U ESDAY WEDNESD A Y

30 1 2 3

7 8 9 10

14 15 16 17

21 22 23 24

28 29 30 31
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sid
 THUR SD AY FRIDAY SAT U RDAY NOTE S

4 5 6

11 12 13

18 19 20

25 26 27

B I G D AY S

1 2 3
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sid
 GREEN & THRIFTY
CLEANING PRODUCTS

10 MAGIC INGREDIENTS SHOPPING LIST

1 white vinegar 2 lemon or lemon juice 3 olive oil 4 liquid dishwashing soap 5 borax
6 baking soda 7 salt 8 ivory bar soap 9 washing soda 10 essential oils

BATHROOM CLEANER FLOOR CLEANER

3/4 cup baking soda 1 cup vinegar
juice from 1/2 a lemon (about 1/4 cup) 1/2 cup baking soda
3 tablespoons salt 8-10 cups hot water
3 tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap 1 tablespoon borax
1/2 cup vinegar 1tablespoon washing soda
10 drops essential oil (optional) 30 drops essential oil (optional)
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl to make a paste; use Mix vinegar & baking soda together in bucket; add hot water,
scrub brush or sponge to apply to tub, shower walls, & sinks. Be sure Borax, washing soda, & essential oil and mix until all powder is
to test a small area to make sure paste does not scuff tub surface; dissolved. Use mop or sponge to wipe down floor; wipe dry with
if so, eliminate the salt from the mixture! Rinse well with water and a clean dry towel.
wet rag, then dry with a clean rag or old towel.

STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER

TOILET BOWL CLEANER
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup vinegar 2 cups warm water
10 drops essential oil (optional)
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Mixture will foam up; when it stops
Turn off flow valve to toilet & flush 1 or 2 times until water is drained. bubbling, put on cap and spray stainless steel surface, then wipe
Pour in baking soda, then slowly pour in vinegar, being sure to get clean & dry with lint-free rag. To add extra shine, use furniture polish
vinegar to cover as much of the bowl surface as possible, then above.
add essential oil. The baking soda will react with the vinegarthis is
normal! Use your toilet brush to scrub surface & remove any rings or
stains. Turn water back on and flush. LAUNDRY DETERGENT
1 bar ivory soap
FURNITURE POLISH 1 cup borax
3/4 cup olive oil 1 cup washing powder
juice from 1/4 a lemon This homemade laundry detergent is so cheap and easy to make
1 tablespoon vinegar that you will kick yourself for not trying it until now. Place ivory
3-4 drops lemon essential oil (optional) soap in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave for 2
minutes, until soap turns to foam. Quickly stir foam until it becomes
Dampen rag & squeeze out excess water. Dip damp rag into
small soap chips, then mix well with borax and washing powder.
furniture polish, the wipe on surface of furniture. Buff off with an old
Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight container. Use 1-2
dry towel. Can also be used to polish stainless steel!
tablespoons per load. (Tip: This detergent works best in warm or hot
water; for cold water washing you may want to first dissolve in 1/4 c
GLASS CLEANER of hot water.)

1 1/2 cups vinegar

1 1/2 cups water DISHWASHER DETERGENT
5-10 drops essential oil (optional)
1 cup baking soda
Mix vinegar, water & essential oil together in spray bottle. Spray on 1 cup borax
glass & use squeegee, crumpled newspaper (Tip: use newspapers 1/2 cup salt
that are at least 2 weeks old to avoid black fingers!), or a lint-free vinegar (add to rinse compartment!)
rag to get a streak-free shine. Also works well to shine chrome and
counter tops after youve disinfected them. Mix first 3 ingredients well & store in airtight container. To use, add 1
tablespoon to each of the 2 compartments in your dishwasher and
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER 2 tablespoons of vinegar to your rinse compartment.

1 tablespoon borax
FABRIC SOFTENER
1 tablespoon washing soda
1 teaspoon dishwashing soap vinegar
1 cup vinegar essential oil (optional)
4 cups hot water
Add 1/4-1/2 cup vinegar with several drops of your favorite
25-30 drops essential oil (optional) essential oil to the rinse cycle (or simply place in fabric softener
Whisk all ingredients together well in large bowl, then pour into compartment of your front load washer.)
spray bottle. Spay on, then wipe surface clean with a damp cloth.
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides

Can be used to clean and disinfect almost any surface!

THE SECRET OF GETTING

AHEAD
IS GETTING
STARTED
sally berger
 THE BIG SPRING CLEAN
TOP TO BOTTOM CHECKLIST

PRE-CLEAN

pick up clutter throughout the house; place items in individual boxes or baskets
so each family member can put their own things away.
wash & put away any dirty dishes
clear & wipe down kitchen counters
dont worry about deep cleaning kitchen just yetthe kitchen will get its own
separate list!

TOP (ABOVE YOUR HEAD)

dust or vacuum upper ledges & above cabinets

clean ceiling air vents
dust or wash ceiling fans
dust or wash light fixtures
change light bulbs

MID-TO-TOP (EYE LEVEL)

wash curtains
dust bookcases
dust pictures, wall clocks, & other wall hangings
wash windows

MID-TO-BOTTOM (WAIST LEVEL)

dust all remaining flat surfaces

clean & polish wood furniture
clean & polish leather furniture
vacuum & spot clean upholstered furniture
change linens & make beds
clean & wipe down bathroom sinks & counters
scrub showers & bathtubs
clean toilets

BOTTOM (FLOOR LEVEL)

wash small area rugs

vacuum large rugs & carpets
sweep floors
mop floors
dust baseboards
sweep front & back porches/steps
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides
 THE BIG SPRING CLEAN
KITCHEN DEEP CLEANING CHECKLIST
PRE-CLEAN
wash, dry, & put away any dirty dishes
quickly clear counter tops and wipe clean
clear any clutter that does not belong in the kitchen
ORGANIZE PANTRY
take out all food & place on table or counter top
check labels & toss items that are expired, stale, empty,
inedible, etc.
fill a bag or box for unopened donation items that you will
not be able to eat before they expire, or items that you
know your family wont eat
wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
put food back in cabinet. (You may want to do a pantry
inventory before you put it back)
create a separate area for open items
arrange like items together
put newest items in front; oldest in back
CLEAN & ORGANIZE:
BAKING & COOKING CUPBOARDS
take out all items & place on table or counter top
check labels & toss items that are expired, stale, empty,
inedible, etc.
wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
use clean, well-labeled, airtight containers to store baking &
cooking staples such as flour, sugar, breadcrumbs, etc.
put items back in cabinet, making sure the most frequently
used containers are easily accessible
CLEAN & ORGANIZE:
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER
take out all items & place on table or counter top
check labels & toss items that are expired, moldy, empty,
inedible, etc.
wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner
remove produce drawers & wash well
put food back in refrigerator
arrange like items together
remove excess magnets & unneeded papers
clean and/or polish exterior
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides
CLEAN & ORGANIZE:
STORAGE,CUPBOARDS & DRAWERS
remove all items from storage cupboards, shelves and
drawers place on counter top or kitchen table
as you remove items, toss or donate any items that are
broken, unwanted, unnecessary, or that you havent used in
over a year
set aside any seasonal items that only get used once or
twice a year to be placed with other seasonal items in
storage
wipe down all shelves and drawers with soapy water or
kitchen cleaner
wash any drawer organizers
determine whether you can rearrange any of you storage
areas to make your kitchen more efficient
group like items together and place back in cupboards
and drawers
put seasonal items in storage and bring donation items to
local drop-off as soon as possible
CLEAN OTHER APPLIANCES
wipe down microwave inside and out
clean and/or polish exterior of dishwasher
follow manufacturers instructions to run self-cleaning cycle
on oven
clean & polish exterior of oven
clean & polish stove top
clean & polish small counter top appliances
CLEAN SINK,COUNTER TOPS & CABINETS
remove any remaining clutter from counter tops; try to get
them as clear as possible!
remove counter top appliances
spray counter top with kitchen cleaner; wipe clean and
dry well
use glass cleaner to make granite shine
wipe down cabinet exteriors
polish wood cabinet doors with furniture polish
CLEAN FLOORS
sweep entire floor well. Be sure to remove any movable
furniture
spot clean any sticky or dirty areas or any stains
mop floor with heavy duty floor cleaner.
wash rugs
 BATHROOM
CLEANING CHECKLIST

STEP 1: PRE-CLEAN & DECLUTTER

pick up any items lying on counters or floor

STEP 2: CLEAN THE TOILET

squirt cleaner around bowl just under rim; let set
scrub bowl and rim with toilet brush
scrub bowl and rim with toilet brush

STEP 3: CLEAN THE BATHTUB & SHOWER

spray tub, shower walls, & curtain with all purpose cleaner
scrub surface with non-abrasive brush or sponge
rinse surface with warm water & towel dry

STEP 4: CLEAN TILES & GROUT

dip old toothbrush into bleach, then scrub onto grout lines
wipe tiles & grout clean with warm, soapy water, then
towel dry

STEP 5: CLEAN SINK & COUNTERS

spray counter top & sink with all purpose cleaner
fill sink with warm water, then wipe down counters
let water drain, wipe down sink, then towel dry surfaces

STEP 6: CLEAN TILES & GROUT

spray glass; wipe clean with old newspaper or squeegee
wipe down fixtures and faucets with glass cleaner

STEP 7: DUST
dust all horizontal surfaces

STEP 8: CLEAN THE FLOORS

sweep loose dirt and hair towards the center of floor
sweep floor with dust mop
spot clean or mop floor with wet mop and let dry

Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides

 KIDS ROOM
CLEANING CHECKLIST

KIDS ROOM CLEANING

make the bed

sort clothes into 4 piles
S O R T A N Y T HI N G T H AT:
is too small that you would like to keep for a sibling
place in a hand-me-down box clearly marked with the correct sizes
is out of season that will still fit next year
place in a seasonal box i.e. summer clothing box
no longer fits but you would like to keep as a keepsake
place in a seasonal box i.e. summer clothing box
G I V E A N Y T HI N G T H AT:
no longer fits
there is no one to hand it down to
is in good condition
your child refuses to wear
K E E P A N Y T HI N G T HAT:
still fits
is seasonally appropriate
is in good condition
T O S S A N Y T HI N G T H AT:
is badly stained,frayed, or torn

TOYS

S O R T A N Y T HI N G T HA T:
is not currently played with but might be used later or you
want to keep for a sibling
has any sort of sentimental value
G I V E A N Y T HI N G T HA T:
is no longer played with
you are sick of picking up the pieces
doesnt fit within your keep criteria
K E E P A N Y T HI N G T HA T :
encourages imaginative play or is educational
is played with frequently
T O S S A N Y T HI N G T HA T :
that is broken

DEEP CLEANING TASKS

re-organize drawers & closet

label everything
dust & wipe down surfaces
clean windows/mirrors
sweep or vacuum all floors
Must Have .125 Bleed on all 4 sides
NOTES & IDEAS