Spring Cleaning Checklist for South Jersey Homes: Pollen, Windows and Screens

In the Delaware Valley, tree pollen often peaks from April into May. If you clean windows, screens and sills too early, you may be doing it again a few weeks later. One approach is to do the indoor deep clean in March, then save windows, screens and outdoor areas for after the heaviest pollen settles.

If anyone in the home has allergies, plan to dust and vacuum more often during peak weeks and keep windows closed on high pollen days.

Work top to bottom so dust falls onto areas you have not cleaned yet. Dust ceiling corners for cobwebs, then clean ceiling fan blades, light fixtures and air vents. Replace HVAC filters if they are due, since winter heating often leaves them loaded with dust.

Wipe the tops of door frames, tall bookcases, kitchen cabinets and the refrigerator. These spots collect a sticky layer of dust that regular cleaning rarely reaches.

Remove screens and wash them with a soft brush and mild soapy water, rinse and let them dry fully before putting them back. Vacuum window tracks to remove dead insects and grit, then wipe with a damp cloth. Clean the glass inside and, where safe, outside.

Wipe sills and frames carefully: pollen and winter grime mix into a film that smears if you only use a dry cloth. Wash or vacuum curtains and dust blinds slat by slat.

Empty and wipe the refrigerator and freezer and toss expired items. Clean inside the oven and microwave. Degrease the range hood and filter, the backsplash and cabinet fronts near the stove. Pull small appliances away from the wall and clean behind them.

Wipe inside cabinets and drawers, especially the pantry, where crumbs attract ants as the weather warms. Clean the dishwasher filter and run it empty.

Scrub grout and caulk lines, descale shower heads and faucets, and remove soap scum from glass doors. Wash or replace the shower curtain liner and bath mats. Clean the exhaust fan cover, which collects a surprising amount of dust.

Go through the medicine cabinet and vanity and get rid of expired products. Wipe the shelves before putting things back.

Winter salt leaves residue in entryways, mudrooms and along baseboards near doors. Vacuum thoroughly, then damp mop hard floors with a cleaner made for your floor type. Hand wipe baseboards throughout the home.

Wash entry mats and rugs or replace a worn winter mat. Move furniture where you can and vacuum underneath, where dust bunnies collect all winter.

Wash bedding, including comforters, pillows and mattress pads if they are washable. Vacuum the mattress and rotate it if recommended. Swap winter clothes for spring, and donate what you did not wear.

Wipe closet shelves and vacuum closet floors before putting seasonal clothes away. Dust nightstands, dressers and lamps.

If someone in the household has seasonal allergies, the way you clean matters as much as how often. Dust with a damp microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster, which just moves dust into the air. Use a vacuum with a good filter and empty it outside. Wash pillowcases more often during peak pollen weeks.

Leave shoes and outdoor jackets at the door, since pollen rides in on clothes. Wipe pets' paws and coats after walks. Run the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans while cleaning to move fumes and dust out of the room.

Many South Jersey homes have a basement or garage that collects winter clutter. Sweep the floor, remove cobwebs, wipe shelving and check for any signs of moisture after the winter thaw. In the laundry room, clean the lint trap housing, wipe the top and front of the washer and dryer and run a cleaning cycle on the washer if the manufacturer recommends it.

This is also a good time to clear out holiday decorations that never made it back to storage and to recycle boxes left from winter deliveries.

Sweep the porch, steps and patio and hose off pollen and winter grime. Wipe outdoor light fixtures and the front door, including the door frame and threshold. Clean patio furniture before the first warm weekend.

Spring cleaning is a big job. If you would rather spend the weekend outside, a deep cleaning covers most of the indoor checklist above. S&A House Cleaning provides deep cleaning for houses, apartments and condos across South Jersey and the Philadelphia area. Call or text (856) 258-0638 to request a quote.