Now that you’re on your obligatory break, we know that time can seem long, and we especially need to resist the urge to visit our loved ones.

With the arrival of spring, why not take the opportunity to clean up your home. Why not prepare to welcome summer with a disinfected house, ready to start a new phase…The task seems enormous and you don’t know where to start.

Here’s a tip: do your spring cleaning room by room. However, before you do anything else, it’s essential to plan your cleaning days by drawing up to-do lists and involving all family members (take advantage of the time the children are at home to keep them occupied). This way of doing things is more motivating and less discouraging.

So, before tackling every room in your home, it’s essential to sort out what you want to give away, sell or keep.

To get everything ready, you also need to stock up on cleaning products and equipment. It’s a good idea to have garbage bags, clothes bins, buckets, wipes, paper towels, mops and rubber gloves on hand for deep cleaning. Bleach, floor soap, laundry soap and white vinegar, to name but a few, are also must-haves for spring cleaning.

Now that everything’s in place, you need to put your emotions aside to make room for the logical aspect of the situation. This is no time to cry over the memories that lie dusty at the bottom of drawers. Nor is it the time to dwell on clothes that haven’t been worn in years. Giving, pruning and making room are three rules that will lead to a successful exercise.

Then go round the rooms, one at a time, devoting about two to three days a week to them. As a result, it will take more or less a month to complete. April is the month par excellence for general housekeeping, and our current situation is certainly present for the next month.

The kitchen – week one

This is the room to clean first. When the job is done, you’ll feel that the worst is over. What’s more, by proceeding in sections, the work will seem less arduous. First, dust the walls, ceilings and outside of cabinets, then wash them. Then do the same for windows, screens, curtains and blinds.

The larder

• Start inside the pantry by taking out all the products to assess them.
• Check expiration dates. Dried spices and herbs are often forgotten and go unused for months.
• Clean shelves and wash glass or plastic containers.
• Put your food back in the right order.
• Wash the outside of the pantry.

Fridge and freezer

• As with the pantry, start by emptying the inside.
• Get rid of questionable foods and products that have been frozen for too long.
• Clean the inside.
• Put your food back in the right order.
• Wash the outside of the refrigerator.

The stove

• Clean the interior thoroughly. If your stove is not self-cleaning, apply the indicated product overnight.
• Wash rounds, plates and spirals. Soaking in soapy water is often necessary.
• Don’t forget the hood, which houses the cooking fat. The grill can be placed in the dishwasher or washed with a steam cleaner, which is very effective in this case.

The dishwasher

• Perform an empty wash on a normal cycle by pouring an envelope of Tang brand orange juice powder into the detergent tank. It’s an unusual technique, but it’s effective: the inside of your dishwasher will be as white as new!
• Wash the outside.

Cabinets and drawers

• Empty the inside of cabinets and drawers.
• Take the opportunity to get rid of inefficient utensils, chipped dishes, damaged pans and worn dishcloths.
• Wash the inside of cabinets and drawers.
• Replace the components in a logical order of use.

Small appliances and accessories

• Wash your small appliances thoroughly, rinse and dry.
• To make cleaning the microwave easier, first boil a cup of lemon juice.
• Clean and disinfect waste garbage cans.
• Wash the sinks.

The floors

• Pull out furniture and sweep the floor.

The bathroom – Week two

• Dust and wash walls and ceiling.
• Remove shower curtains and wash according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wash the tiles around the shower and bath with a steam cleaner.
• Clean out your pharmacy by checking the expiration dates on beauty products. When it comes to expired medications, it’s imperative that you get rid of them by returning them to the pharmacy (prescription products).
• Wash the mirrors.
• Disinfect the sink, shower, bath and toilet bowl.
• Wash the floor.

The salon – third week

• Dust and wash walls and ceiling.
• Dust and wash fans, baseboards, doors and switches.
• Clean fixtures, lamps and shades.
• Remove drapes and curtains to wash windows.
• Vacuum sofas and armchairs; if they’re stained, rent a commercial vacuum cleaner.
• Dust shelves, bookcases and decorative objects.
• Wash the floor or carpets.

Bedrooms – week four

• Dust and/or wash walls and ceiling.
• Put away your knitwear and make way for your summer clothes.
• Wash all bedding.
• Vacuum the mattress and turn it over.
• Wash curtains and windows.
• Dust decorative objects.
• In their own rooms, ask your children to sort out their games, toys and clothes that are too small.

As soon as the federal and provincial governments allow it, celebrate the end of Coronavirus/Covid-19 and the completion of this spring cleanup by organizing a garage sale with kids, friends and neighbors, and putting up attractive signs around the area. Then, celebrate the arrival of the season!

On that note, enjoy your quarantine and be careful!

Source: Jacinthe Dompierre, Canal Vie editor