How to spring clean the nursery

The first thing you should do is declutter. Now’s the perfect time to get rid of outgrown clothes and rarely used toys, so you have fewer things to clean around later. Once you’ve set aside any special keepsakes, donate what’s still usable, and recycle what’s not.

Wipe down
Break out the dust cloth, and work your way from the top down, beginning with the ceiling fan or light fixture. Then move on to door and window frames, hanging pictures, shelves, lamps, furniture, etc. Consider the baseboards your finish line. (Tip: If you have carpet, now’s the best time to vacuum up any dust that’s fallen to the floor.)

Cycle through
Next up you’ll want to tackle any fabric items, so get your washing machine ready. Strip all bedding (even the crib skirt), gather stray blankets, and grab the changing pad cover while you’re at it. Launder according to instructions. The same goes for curtains. You can also wash soft toys—just toss them in a pillowcase for added protection.

Wash up
Channel your inner Donna Reed, and scrub the windows, inside and out. Check your baseboards for sticky fingerprints, and wash those, too, as needed. As for baby’s other toys, you can rely on good ol’ soap and water. Use a damp cloth to wipe down anything that shouldn’t be submerged.

Top off
Last, but not least, you’ll want to address the floors. Mop hardwoods, and shampoo rugs or carpets. (You can hire carpet cleaning companies or rent a rug shampooer to do it yourself.)