Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Home and HVAC System

It’s spring cleaning season! As the Florida sun starts to shine across Tampa Bay, we’re here to share our best ways to deep clean your Clearwater home and HVAC system this season.

How Spring Cleaning Became a Tradition

The urge to turn your home inside out is a tradition that dates back generations and has ties to many religious and cultural customs—and even our human nature.

• In Jewish custom, spring cleaning is linked to Passover in March or April, which marks the liberation of Jews from slavery in Egypt. Before the start of the holiday, a cleaning takes place to remove any yeast from the home.
• In Protestant custom, Catholics clean the church altar the day before Good Friday, and members of the Greek Orthodox church clean the house for a week leading up to Lent.
• In Iran, the Persian New Year coincides with the first day of spring. The 13-day celebration traditionally involves cleaning (or “shaking the house”).

Spring cleaning is also in our human nature. As HowStuffWorks explains, fewer hours of winter daylight trigger the release melatonin in our brains, and we literally don’t have the energy to deep clean during colder months. But once the days start getting longer, we’re energized by more sunlight, and thus, we’re motivated to deep clean and declutter our homes each spring.

Today, spring cleaning has become a common “to do,” and that’s why our team at Air Care is here to help you get the most out of this tradition. Read below to see our spring clean checklist for your Clearwater home and HVAC system.

Best Ways to Spring Clean Your Clearwater Home

1. Wipe Down Your Windows

One of the easiest ways to make your house, condo or townhouse shine is to clean your windows:

• Remove dust from the window frame and windowsill. Do the same with your blinds or shades. Consider washing your curtains, too.
• Pull up your blinds or shades, and wipe the indoor glass with a dry towel or cloth first. Then, spray windows with a generous amount of window cleaner. Using a microfiber cloth or lint-free paper towel, wipe windows from top to bottom until streaks are gone.
• Next, clean your screens by vacuuming away the dust or removing the screens to wash.
• While the screens are drying, clean the outside of your windows. Repeat the steps above to clean the outside window frame and glass.
• Once everything is dry, pop your screens back in, hang your curtains and marvel at the shine.

You can clean your windows throughout the year, but if you have old or inefficient windows, you may be letting warm air into your home. Search for top Clearwater window replacement companies near you on Angi.com to improve the value and indoor temperature of your home.

2. Tidy Up Your Living Areas

Whether you have 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour, try some of these deep clean techniques to tidy up your living room, bedroom, sunroom and more:

• Wipe down your cabinets, baseboards, molding and trim, along with the front and/or back of your doors.
• Disinfect doorknobs and light switches.
• Clean ceiling fans and hanging light fixtures with a duster or handheld vacuum.
• Dust the corners bookshelves and consider donating books you no longer need.
• Dust your drawers and nightstand. Organize personal items on top or inside drawers.
• Wash your throw pillows, blankets and/or sheets, or give them a good shake and fluff.
• Dust your air vents to remove dander and allergens. Do the same for return air vents.
• Clean your TV with screen cleaner, and dust-off electronics.
• Disinfect the remote control and replace the batteries.
• Vacuum under your couch cushions or between the mattress and box spring.
• Reposition furniture and rugs that may have shifted over time.
• Finish freshening up each space with a scented candle, fabric spray or vase of flowers.

Need a little help with your spring cleaning? Get matched with house cleaning services in Clearwater, Florida with Angi online—featuring 94 highly-rated professionals in your area.

3. Clean Out Your Cluttered Closet

Decluttering a closet doesn’t have to be complicated. Instead, it can feel simple and satisfying, especially with these easy tips:

• Take inventory of what you own by completely emptying your closet. Remove everything—from clothes, hangers and shoes to items in drawers and storage bins. Place on top of your bed.
• Grab two trash bags. Label one “donate” and the other “trash.” If you have high-end items, create a third bag for “consignment” items.
• Create rules on what you want to keep. For example, if it’s damaged, out of style or just doesn’t fit right, place in one of the designated bags. If it “brings you joy,” like the Konmarimethod states, place in the “keep” pile to hang back up in your closet.
• Once you’ve completed this exercise for clothes, shoes, handbags and more, organize your treasured possessions in your closet, and set aside other items for disposable. It’s important to repair, trash, donate or consign these discarded items right away—or they could end back in your closet.

Need help organizing your closet? Consider investing in closet organization through California Closets in Clearwater, Florida.

4. Deep Clean Your Kitchen

The never-ending crumbs, grease and spills can make your kitchen feel impossible to tackle. But with these spring-cleaning tips, you can start simple and work your way to the tougher to-dos—even if you clean over several days (or weeks):

• Wipe down the door frames, cabinets and range hood or fan with a disinfectant wipe or cleaning spray and cloth.
• Wipe down your appliances and disinfect the handles. If you have stainless steel items, use a special cleaner and microfiber cloth to prevent discoloration or streaking.
• Open up your dishwasher and change or replace the filter. Run a heated wash cycle without dirty dishes.
• Remove everything from your refrigerator. Check the dates for expired items and toss old or unwanted food. Wipe down the shelves before replacing items.
• Do the same for your pantry.
• Set your oven on the self-cleaning function. Once complete and cooled, use a sponge, cloth or linen-free paper towel to clean excess food.
• Heat a mug of plain water in your microwave for two minutes to loosen and remove unwanted food and stains.
• Clean your drawers and cabinets one at a time. Remove items from the drawer and use a handheld vacuum to suck up crumbs. As your cleaning, discard any unused items, and prepare to organize your items in drawers and cabinets with most used items nearby. Haven’t used an item in a while? Store them in a separate, out-of-reach cabinet or closet for that special occasion.
• Clean your countertops last. Use gloves and a cleaning product with a bleach for the best shine and follow-up with a water rinse before drying.

To keep your kitchen clean year-round, tidy it up at the end of every day—even if just for five to 10 minutes. Then, set a reminder to surface clean your countertops and appliances weekly and perform a “deep clean” monthly to avoid a dirty kitchen.

Read our blog article here on home and kitchen organization tips to take your spring cleaning a step further.

5. Scrub Your Bathroom

Basic cleaning doesn’t cut it when it comes to your bathroom. Open up a window or turn on the fan, and get ready to deep clean your bathroom:

• Remove any clutter from countertops or shelves, and store your soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and more in a safe place.
• Remove and wash your shower curtain, bath mat, bath towels, hand towels and washcloths on a high heat setting. Follow instructions to dry.
• Vacuum or sweep all surfaces—including the floor, corners, around the toilet, under your vanity, etc.—to remove dirt, dust and hair.
• Scrub the sink and countertops with a disinfectant cleaner or white distilled vinegar to remove dirt and bacteria.
• Remove hair from your sink and shower/tub drain.
• Tackle the buildup in your shower and tub. Wet all the surfaces with warm water, which highlights where your mildew is. Spray the surfaces with a commercial grout cleaning product and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Then, use an abrasive sponge and some elbow grease to scrub away the buildup, and rinse areas with warm water.
• Clean inside, outside and around your toilet. Open up the lid and apply a liberal amount of cleaning solution. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Close the lid and use a disinfectant spray to sanitize the entire area around the toilet. Once the inside cleaner has done its job, use a scrub brush to clean and wipe underneath the toilet seat and lid.
• Deep clean your floors with a mop. First, shut your window and turn off your bathroom fan. Next, apply a generous amount of disinfectant cleaner to the floors, and turn on your heated shower until steam fills the room. Shut it off, close the bathroom door and let the steam linger for 20 minutes. Then, go back into the bathroom and mop the floors as the steam clears and allow it to air dry.
• Empty your bathroom trash, replace the bag and wipe down the trashcan.
• Refill your soap and place products back where they belong.

Want more bathroom cleaning tips or ideas for DIY bathroom cleaners? Visit Moving.com’s article “How to deep clean a bathroom” to read more.

Involve Others in Spring Cleaning

Why tackle spring cleaning alone? If you live with friends or family members, involve them in deep cleaning to make the time and tasks pass quickly. The end result is a satisfying feeling!

Best Ways to Clean Your Indoor HVAC Unit

Now that you’ve prepared for a deep spring cleaning, it’s time to focus efforts on your HVAC system to ensure it properly cools your home as the weather warms up across Clearwater and Tampa Bay.

How to Enhance Indoor Air Quality

• Change the HVAC filter(s) in your home. Be sure to select one with a high “minimum efficiency reporting value,” or MERV rating, which reports the filter’s ability to capture airborne particles. We recommend a HEPA filter (“high efficiency particulate air” filter), which you can remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any other airborne particles in your home. Pick up one today at your local Home Depot.
• Dust the outside of your air vents to reduce allergens. Use a dry cloth first to remove dust, then a disinfectant wipe or spray to remove bacteria.
• Consider installing a UV light purification unit inside your air handlerThis chemical-free solution improves your home’s indoor air quality and fights germs, allergens and mold inside your HVAC system.
• Schedule HVAC system maintenance. Contact Air Care today to schedule a HVAC system tune-up. We recommend a maintenance check every spring and fall in preparation for the hot summer and cool winter. During each visit, our Clearwater heating and cooling professionals will check all of your indoor AC components and parts and take the necessary steps to ensure it cools your home just in time for this year’s Florida spring and summer.

Call Air Care today to get started or for additional indoor AC cleaning tips.

Best Ways to Clean Your Outdoor HVAC Unit

Your outdoor condenser unit has likely been neglected over the winter months. To ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently, follow our tips to spring clean your outdoor AC components.

How to Clean Your Outdoor Condensing Unit

• Turn off the power to your HVAC unit inside from the thermostat and outside by disconnecting the unit from the power box. (See the video below for assistance.)
• Trim back all grass, plants and weeds that have grown up around the exterior.
• Remove the condenser cover and clean out any leaves or vegetation inside the unit.
• Clean dirt, dust and debris with a garden hose. Using light water pressure, spray the outside and inside of your unit, focusing on the angle to reach tough areas.
• If necessary, use cleaning products to fight tough grime on the condenser fins, which look like fan blades inside the unit.
• Allow components to dry and replace the cover before turning the power back on to the system.

Watch a video below for easy, step-by-step instructions.

Need assistance? Contact Air Care today to schedule a HVAC system tune-up, where our licensed AC professionals will inspect your outdoor condenser unit to ensure it cools your home, condo or townhome properly this spring and summer. Call us today.

Clearwater AC Cooling and Cleaning Services

Our highly qualified HVAC staff at Air Care takes the time to understand your heating and cooling needs and recommend the right AC maintenance, repair and replacement solutions for your Tampa Bay area home. We service all HVAC brands, including Rheem, Carrier, Trane, Goodman, Bryant, York and Lenox.

Time for a new system? Call Air Care today for a quote on your new AC system. (We recommend Rheem.) All new AC systems are permitted, installed and inspected per State of Florida building code. Our new installs also comply with HOA rules and regulations in Tampa Bay communities.

“In my experience, knowing the best contractors for specific jobs is the best thing as a homeowner. Those who rent don’t have to worry about repair roofs or air conditioners, but a homeowner does. This is why I use Air Care for all of my AC repairs. Air Care is always great to deal with. They are punctual and efficient in resolving our issues with our air conditioning system whenever we call them.” —Gregory W. of St. Pete, FL

Call us today.

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APPENDIX

CountryLiving.com: How Spring Cleaning Became a Tradition

Goodhousekeeping.com: Common mistakes cleaning windows

Martha Stewart: Spring Cleaning the Kitchen

Moving.com: How to deep clean a bathroom

CNet.com: How to declutter your closet

EPA.gov: What is a MERV rating?