Traditionally, the spring clean season is a rite of passage that involves deep cleaning a home from top to bottom. This year, however, spring cleaning has taken on a whole new meaning with the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, says Linda Cobb, former cleaning and disaster restoration company owner, Queen of Clean Media Group president and best-selling author of her eponymous books, based in Phoenix.

"I think the important thing to understand is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. You can clean without disinfecting, but you can't disinfect without cleaning," she said. "Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects and works by using soap and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs, bacteria and viruses on surfaces or objects."

Seventy-eight percent of American households spring clean annually, according to the American Cleaning Institute's 2020 National Cleaning Survey. But with the shelter-in-place practices across the nation, and more people at home focusing on cleaning, ACI suspects even more will be spring cleaning this year, says the organization's spokesman, Brian Sansoni, based in Washington, D.C.

"Clearly, the benefits of good, targeted hygiene and cleaning are top-of-mind for many of us as we make our way through this coronavirus crisis," he said. "Great household hygiene starts with soap and water. Simply put, just wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. It is the easiest action you can take to help stay healthy, especially during the coronavirus crisis."

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released cleaning guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Sansoni advises regularly cleaning and disinfecting "high-touch hot spots," such as light switches, remote controls, door handles, kitchen and bathroom faucets, game consoles and appliance handles.

"Don't use social media as your go-to on the coronavirus. Many things that normally work to disinfect do not work on the coronavirus," Cobb said. "Many DIY disinfectants, such as those made with essential oils, do not work on this virus. Just because the label says 'disinfectant' doesn't mean it works on this virus."

Unexpired bleach and at least 70% isopropyl alcohol solutions are two household items that will disinfect as you deep clean, according to CDC recommendations. A diluted bleach solution of 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per 1 quart of water is effective for virus disinfection. Do not dilute solutions made with isopropyl alcohol, which is a disinfectant that is generally safe to use on all surfaces, according to Cobb.

"Wear gloves while using bleach, and never mix it with ammonia or anything except water," Cobb said. "Bleach can also corrode metal over time, so do not get into the habit of cleaning faucets and stainless steel products with it. Because bleach is harsh for many countertops as well, you should rinse surfaces with water after disinfecting to prevent discoloration or damage to the surface."

After continual disinfecting, your home may get a clean bill of health, but the rite of spring cleaning also encompasses decluttering. ACI's 2020 survey found that Americans prioritize their bedrooms (25%), closets (23%) and kitchen (22%) most frequently for spring cleaning, Sansoni says.

"Decluttering frees up space, especially when you get rid of items that are only gathering dust," he said. "Focus on priority areas instead of taking on the entire house at once. A room-by-room strategy works for many spring cleaners ... essentially, map it out, then carry it out."

Try to look at your home with new eyes. Walk backwards into a room or lie down in a bedroom for a fresh perspective. Tasks that make the checklist should include dusting cobwebs out of ceiling corners, cleaning light fixtures, vacuuming under furniture, scrubbing shelves and washing windows and their respective window treatments.

When starting the spring cleaning process, think of literally cleaning a space from top to bottom, because dirt from light fixtures and dust from furniture will fall onto the floors, which will be cleaned last. Invest in microfiber mops and cloths that capture the dirt instead of spreading dust around. Change the bag in the vacuum or empty dirt out of the canister before cleaning a room.

"Spring cleaning should be a clean and purge," Cobb said. "Donate, repurpose and toss the things you don't need. You can cut your cleaning time drastically by having less to move each time."

After making a clean sweep through a house, it's important for families to clean and disinfect as messes are made, especially during this time of self-isolation at home, Sansoni says. "Family life runs more smoothly when there is a shared responsibility for the housework. Whether it's a simple effort like putting dirty clothes in the hamper or a major job like washing the kitchen floor, almost every family member can contribute in some way that fits his/her age and other responsibilities."

Clean Sweep

-- CDC Cleaning Guidelines www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html

-- American Cleaning Institute's Cleaning Tips: CleaningInstitute.org

-- QueenofClean.com

When it comes to cooking at home, the kitchen's larder is large and in charge. Today's kitchen pantry not only stores food, it has also evolved into a work area that houses everything from large pots to small appliances. Now more than ever, people are relying on a well-appointed and stocked pantry to survive home isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, says Rebecca West, Seriously Happy Homes founder and CEO, based in Seattle. West is also one of the nearly 13,000 certified members of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

"Right now, people are hyper-aware of their own kitchen pantry and what's in it," she said. "These times of uncertainty see people going back to basics, and cooking is a way to connect and sustain those nearest to us."

A well-stocked pantry should be both appetizing and visually appealing by storing like items together, making foodstuffs easy to find. Modular storage racks make walk-in pantries customizable, allowing shelves to house everything from dried goods to wine.

In February, California Closets launched The Everyday System, a line of customizable organizational shelving units, in an exclusive license with Martha Stewart, lifestyle expert, teacher and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. With a modern metal and wood design, this organizational system features minimal installation and seamless adjustability to fit most pantry spaces.

"It is vital to have an organized pantry in your kitchen, otherwise cooking and baking really are not all that fun," Stewart said. "We created The Everyday System to make organizing your pantry a breeze, with multiple different storage solutions such as shelves and wire baskets that have been fully incorporated within the unit."

Today's walk-in pantry can really get cooking by housing nearly everything, including a kitchen sink. Modular organizational units allow homeowners to take stock and spruce up a new or existing pantry. As more kitchen real estate is dedicated to the pantry, this space has evolved into a multifunctional storage place in the home.

The first step to organizing a pantry is prioritizing the needs of the space, says Erin Hardy, California Closets' national manager of design, based in Boston. "What you can store in a pantry is vast -- ranging from basic overflow kitchen items to food and wine, pet food, cleaning supplies and even extra countertop prep areas to extend a kitchen," she said. "Understanding the priorities will set the tone for the final design and organization."

Whether your space is as large as a butler's pantry or as small as a bookcase, the area in which you store your extra food items should have good ventilation and air circulation. Ideal pantry conditions include low humidity and a relatively cool temperature, not unlike other storage areas in the home.

"Today's pantry is to the kitchen what the master closet is to the bedroom," West said. "Organizing these storage spaces helps keep the mess out of the living areas and makes you more efficient."

While the walk-in variety may be the most mouth-watering of all pantry options, the space needs to be organized. Before catering to the impulse to build a large pantry that incorporates the mudroom and laundry room spaces, you must first have a plan; otherwise, there is the potential for the space to become a catchall.

"The pantry should be one of the most purposefully designed spaces. There needs to be a place for everything, so everything is put back in its place," West said. "Purge anything in your pantry that is an obstacle to you cooking or living your best life, which includes expired foodstuffs or small appliances you don't use."

Rollouts are especially good to use in cabinets, while trays and containers can organize items on shelves. When replenishing the pantry, place newly purchased food behind similar items to rotate the stock, so nothing will be used past its prime. Common sense dictates putting items used most frequently in easily accessible places at eye level. Also, make your pantry kid-friendly, so little hands can grab snacks for themselves.

Flours, sugars and other dried goods, such as beans and rice, are easier to use when contents are poured into clear, airtight containers, says West. This will not only help items stay fresh longer, but will also keep your pantry from becoming infested with pests. Keep potential drips off shelves by placing nonrefrigerated liquids -- such as vinegars and oils -- on trays in your pantry.

You don't need to be a world-class chef to enjoy a top-drawer pantry with a sink, countertops, small appliances, refrigerator drawer(s) and plenty of storage space. "As the kitchen becomes more of a social area, you want to keep countertops clear of clutter," West said. "The pantry is the utilitarian space that is going to help get the cooking done, but it's also a sacred space that houses the ingredients you use to feed your family."

Pantry Picks

To find a certified kitchen professional, go to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's website: www.nkba.org and click the "Find a Professional" box at the bottom of the page.

Martha Stewart's The Everyday System: CaliforniaClosets.com/martha-stewart/ and through California Closets design consultants. Pricing begins at $999.

Seattle Designer Rebecca West: HappyStartsAtHome.com

Entertaining ideas that transform your home into a "party pad" blend both conviviality and construction. Whether you're watching the game with a big group or winding down with an intimate gathering, a home's design should accommodate eclectic entertaining, says Giles Sutton, senior vice president of industry engagement with Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), based in Indianapolis.

"People can entertain in a wide variety of spaces, as long as they are flexible and adaptable, not only in the physical space of the home, but also in the attributes of those hosting the party," Sutton said. "An open floor plan in a home is most conducive to entertaining: No one wants to be walled off during a gathering."

A progressively positive party generally has three physical places for gathering in a home: the kitchen, the media/great room and the outdoors. Ideally, these spaces flow into each other and are layered with mood lighting and the sights and/or sounds of a televised event or music. A homeowner can aspire to build a top-of-the-line "smart" home -- one in which lighting, entertainment systems/ television and stereo, heating/cooling, security alarms and/or cameras are automated and can be controlled by keypad in the house or remotely through the use of cellphones or internet-based devices.

But no matter how elaborate a home becomes with automation, Sutton says a wireless way of life isn't without its drawbacks. "With the explosion of connected devices, Wi-Fi in a home can be a blessing and a curse," he said. "No one wants to be streaming music or a movie, only to experience a disruption in service and the dreaded buffering."

While fewer wires may be needed as electronic components become more compatible with wireless equipment and controllers, the network for wireless systems still has to be hardwired into a home. "It's important to involve a certified integrator to make a technology plan before walls start going up," Sutton said. "Hardwiring a home is still the most reliable way to implement an electronic system, and with a range of technology that uses bandwidth -- from the doorbell to the home theater -- you add a group of partygoers with their own devices and your Wi-Fi can really be put through its paces."

Bring the Heat and Chill Out

A party begins and ends in the kitchen near the food and drink, says Ryan Herd, a consultant to the National Kitchen and Bath Association and entrepreneur in the audio-video industry for nearly 30 years, specializing in smart-home automation, based in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.

"No matter how evolved humans have become with technology, we still like to gather around the food," Herd said. "Today's kitchen isn't only the heart of the home, it's also a tech hub."

While many homes have charging stations for their cellphones and smart devices in the kitchen, more homeowners are borrowing design details from commercial kitchens. From creating a well-run workflow in the kitchen to the use of commercial-grade appliances in homes, culinary upgrades -- such as refrigerators -- are Wi-Fi ready, with internal cameras and door-ajar alarms that can be linked to a mobile device. The use of new technology in an induction cooktop heats liquids faster and is also a more efficient way to control the temperature. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers are also an organized way to store bottled beverages and allow people to serve themselves.

The Great Room's Lounge Act

While the kitchen remains the heart of the home, an adjoining great room extends its heartbeat of food and fun. Outfitted with sofa, stuffed chairs and television, this place to lounge is a cozy space directly connected to the kitchen, where people can simultaneously be comfortable and keep company with the cook.

Furnished as a kitchen's living area, this great room space can also house a bar or fireplace so families can chill out and "lounge" around in a comfortable atmosphere. A home's dining area is simple by nature, but the space has evolved as the kitchen-dining layout has become more open by design.

"Entertaining isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition," Sutton said. "Whether you're having a sit-down dinner or a more casual gathering, it's about using the space to its full advantage, which can also include outdoor spaces."

The Great Outdoors

The great outdoors is the next frontier for entertaining. Sutton says to extend the party outside, one needs to look to nature for design inspiration. "Lighting and music can extend into the landscape outside," he said. "Even in the 21st century, humans have a primal need to gather in nature, whether it's in the garden, by the fire or poolside."

Keep the great room's windows bare or use light and airy window treatments so outdoor views are unobstructed. Motorized or easily movable floor-to-ceiling glass walls can replace windows to provide easy access to an outside deck, patio or porch. For many who entertain, "eating out" might simply mean walking into the backyard outdoor kitchen, which can also house an entertainment center.

But while technology informs the way people relate to each other in the 21st century, a great party is still about the human touch, Sutton says. "The use of technology in a home's entertainment center, lighting, music and cooking setup is no substitute for great human interaction," he said.

Party People

To find a certified kitchen professional, go to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's website, www.nkba.org, and click the "Find a Professional" box at the bottom of the page.

Consult a local Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association professional to help install automation or smart-home technologies at

www.cedia.org; click on "Find a CEDIA Professional."

The "Smart (Technology) Guy" Ryan Herd: RyanHerd.com