The Spring Cleaning Checklist 1.0

In the spirit of “The Wardrobe,” help me build a checklist of once-a-year spring cleaning duties that we should all get off our asses and do before the warm weather causes a toxic bloom of bacteria and funk from our winter sloth.

• Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Change water filter.
• Change furnace, AC, and any other air filters.
• Beat rugs.
• Clean and store winter clothes and bedding.
• Order plants and seeds for gardening. (Just you wait until next week’s theme.)
• Wash windows.
• Start brushing animals.
• Polish hardwood floors.
• Organize shelving.
• Clean garage.
• Clean attic.
• Clean out freezer and refrigerator.
• Check fire extinguishers.
• Wash deck and driveway.
• Trim trees.
• Change oil in cars.

This feels pretty haphazzard. Some things like “change oil,” for instance, should probably be done more than once a year, while “brush pets” is really more a “get ready to do this every day for the next three months” thing rather than a one-time job. Feel free to strike out as well as suggest “must do” chores.