Spring Cleaning Tips
Spring has officially arrived and might have you itching to clean and revamp your home. We’ve rounded up 5 of the best spring-cleaning tips to help you freshen up your space for the season!
Before you start – Make a plan
Cleaning any space can be overwhelming if you don’t have a solid plan of attack. First, assess your space. Where do you usually skip during routine cleaning? What areas need the most work? What spaces do you utilize the most? Those are the best places to start. Having a plan will keep you focused on the task at hand. Clean one room at a time for more efficiency and to prevent being overwhelmed.
De-Clutter
Do you find yourself stressed out if your space is cluttered? Studies have shown that a disorganized living space can add to your stress level. Clutter paired with inhaling dust can take a toll on your body. In your spring-cleaning plan, make sure to set aside time to dust and organize your spaces. Make sure to remember your closets and junk drawers! You may be surprised how better you feel, mentally and physically, after you eliminate unnecessary items from your life.
Work from Top to Bottom
Gravity pulls everything – including dust and debris – down, there is just no way around it. If you want to clean more productively, start from the top of your space, and work downward. Doing this will keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. Tip: Use a vacuum with an extension hose to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first.
Kitchen and Bathroom
These spaces can seem daunting or even undesirable to give a good clean, but you’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel once they are! Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Give cabinets a good wipe down with a microfiber cloth and wood-safe cleaner.
- Wipe down shelving and throw away any old items in both your pantry and refrigerator. If it’s past the expiration date – toss it out! Have items in your pantry that are still good but not being used? Donate them to a local charity!
- If you have stainless steel appliances, be sure to use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner to avoid scratching or other damage.
- Change and/or wash your shower curtain and liners.
- Go through your cosmetics drawer and medicine cabinet and throw away any expired items. Note: for safety, do not flush medications unless they are on the FDA flush list. Otherwise, contact a pharmacy or your doctor for disposal instructions.
Is your bathroom constantly muggy or has an “off” scent? Upgrading your bathroom fan can also be very helpful in ventilating moisture during showers and eliminating odors and vapors.
Don’t Forget About Your Air!
Replace your HVAC filters. Doing this routinely is one of the most important and overlooked parts of cleaning at any time of the year. Consider replacing a standard filter with a more robust one with a high MERV rating. This can help keep you and your family healthier as you enter spring. Having an air purifier is another great way to ensure healthy spring air with fewer allergens, indoor chemicals, and odors. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies or wakes up stuffy during allergy season, adding an air purifier to their bedroom may help.
Bonus Tip
Find yourself with way too many unworn clothes in your closet? Start the season off by turning all your hangers around so that they hang backward on the rack. When you wear a piece of clothing, be sure to return it to the same hanger and hang it the correct way. A year later, see which hangers went untouched and are still hanging backward. If the clothes on them are not sentimental pieces, donate or sell them!
