Ah, spring is in the air!
After a long winter of being cooped up inside, now is the perfect time to get the family together for a thorough clean of your entire home. Not only is spring cleaning a popular way to do some serious dusting, washing, and scrubbing, but it’s also a great way to declutter your home and donate household items to a good cause.
Where can you donate all those items you have collected over the years that you don’t need anymore? That’s easy – the Habitat ReStore will take them off your hands!
- Drop off your donation at the back of the Habitat ReStore at 32 White Oak Drive (across from Superior Heights) from Monday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Check here for a list of items we do and do not accept
- Book a donation pick up by phoning us at (705) 941-9646 or by visiting www.habitatsault.ca/restore
We’ve put together a handy checklist to help you refresh your home and support affordable homeownership while doing so.
Before you begin:
- Gather supplies
- Gather all of your cleaning supplies in one bin, bag, or cleaning caddy that you can tote around the house with you (this will save you from running back and forth to your cupboard or closet)
- The ReStore offers plenty of brand new cleaning supplies – check (some) of them out on our website here, or see our entire inventory by visiting us in-person at 32 White Oak Drive (across from Superior Heights)
- Cardboard boxes and/or garbage bags can help you sort out what you would like to donate, sell, toss, or recycle as you go through your home – label them clearly
- Gather all of your cleaning supplies in one bin, bag, or cleaning caddy that you can tote around the house with you (this will save you from running back and forth to your cupboard or closet)
- Plan to tackle one room or area at a time by following our checklist below
- Make it fun! Assign points to each task – perhaps whoever gets the most points at the end of your spring cleaning journey wins a prize? Or plan a reward for everyone, such as a nice dinner!
The Checklist
Entryway
- Sweep floors
- Mop floors
- Wipe walls
- Wipe baseboards
- Clean door
- Clean doormat
- Organize shoes
- Hang jackets
- Donate any items you no longer need
Kitchen
- Clean stovetop (read this if you have a gas stove)
- Clean oven
- Clean microwave
- Clean dishwasher
- Clean refrigerator
- Wipe drawers and shelves in refrigerator and freezer
- Defrost freezer
- Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer
- Clear countertops
- Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash
- Remove items from cabinets and thoroughly clean inside
- Clean fridge/freezer seal
- Dust top of high surfaces including fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets
- Deodorize and degrease the kitchen drain
- Wash dish rags and clean sponges
- Wipe walls
- Wipe baseboards
- Mop floors
- Shake out dust or dirt from floor mats
- Donate any appliances (working or not) or other kitchen items you no longer need
Dining Room
- Dust china in china cabinet
- Launder and press table linens
- Polish silver
- Dust and polish furniture
- Vacuum or spot clean chair cushions
- Wipe walls
- Wipe baseboards
- Clean light fixture
- Dust blinds
- Dust curtain rods
- Clean window sills
- Wash windows
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Mop or vacuum floor
- Shampoo rugs or carpet
- Donate any furniture or items you no longer need
Bathroom
- Discard expired personal care products and makeup, and bring old medications to a drop-off site
- Clean makeup brushes
- Clean vanity
- Wipe mirror
- Clean tub and shower
- Clean showerhead
- Replace shower curtain liner
- Scrub tile grout
- Clean toilet
- Clean hardware
- Sweep floors
- Mop floors
- Wipe walls
- Wipe baseboards
Laundry Room
- Clean washing machine
- Clean dryer vent
- Clean lint trap
- Organize laundry supplies
- Wipe walls
- Wipe baseboards
- Mop floors
- Donate any appliances or items you no longer need
Bedrooms
- Wipe baseboards
- Dust/polish furniture
- Donate unused clothing (please note that the ReStore does not accept clothing)
- Organize closets
- Wash bedding including sheets, pillows, duvets and bed skirts
- Vacuum carpets (deodorize with baking soda first)
- Flip mattress
- Dust blinds
- Dust curtain rods
- Clean window sills
- Wash windows
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Mop or vacuum floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
- Donate any furniture or items you no longer need
Living Room
- Dust/polish furniture
- Wash slipcovers
- Wash blankets and pillows
- Vacuum sofa and chairs
- Dust blinds
- Dust curtain rods
- Clean window sills
- Wash windows
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Clean ceiling fans
- Dust and clean lamp shades
- Dust electronics
- Dust and clean decor
- Sanitize remote controls
- Mop or vacuum floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
- Donate any furniture or items you no longer need
Kids’ Playroom
- Sanitize plastic toys with soap and water
- Wash stuffed animals and soft toys
- Donate unused toys
- Organize toys and play areas
- Mop or vacuum floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
- Donate any furniture or items you no longer need
Office
- Recycle unneeded paperwork
- Dust and polish furniture
- Dust bookshelf
- Dust electronics
- Sanitize keyboard and mouse
- Donate any furniture, electronics (working or not working), or items you no longer need
Garage
- Declutter tools, sporting equipment and toys
- Open up garage door to air out the space
- Wipe down walls
- Sweep floor
- Clean garage door
- Clean garage door frame
- Replace batteries in garage door openers
- Clean windows
- Donate any items you no longer need
Throughout the House
- Test and replace smoke alarm batteries
- Replace air filters as needed
- Clean air vents/registers
- Clean light fixtures
- Replace light bulbs as needed
- Sanitize door handles
- Sanitize light switches
- Donate any items you no longer need
Source <https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/spring-cleaning-checklist/>
Ready to make a donation?