The weather is heating up, the flowers are blooming, and your “to-do” list is as long as the darkest winter’s night. Whether you love or loathe spring cleaning, it’s a necessary part of maintaining your home. We’ve got a few spring cleaning tips to make your home sparkle!
Spring Cleaning Tips to Make the Job Easier
Following these easy spring cleaning tips can make the job feel a little less overwhelming.
1. Stock Up
Before starting your spring cleaning, be sure you have everything needed to get the job done. Be prepared with your favorite cleaning supplies, clean rags, scrub brushes, and anything else you might want. You’ll eliminate any excuses for putting off these chores by getting everything organized ahead of time!
2. Clean One Room at a Time
Spring cleaning can feel overwhelming. All winter long, you’ve added items to your to-do list, and now you don’t even know where to start.
The good news? It doesn’t all have to happen at once. You just need to start somewhere. Pick one room—or even one project in one room—and focus on that task. Once you complete all projects in one room, move on to the next. You’ll have that entire list checked off before you know it!
3. Go Natural
You don’t need multiple cleaning products to do the job right. A few natural ingredients may be all you need to get your home sparkling clean this spring. Everyday ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and rubbing alcohol can freshen and sanitize your home.
To learn more about DIY cleaning solutions, check out this blog from Good Housekeeping.
4. Know Your Upholstery
Check the fabric content and cleaning instructions before taking a wet rag or upholstery cleaner to your rug, drapes, or furniture. Not all fabrics can handle steam cleaning, for instance, or a trip through the washing machine.
The manufacturer instructions often contain one of these markings:
- W – Safe to use water or water-based cleaners.
- S – Solvent clean only. This means the fabrics should only be dry-cleaned and never washed with water. You might also see the codes P, D, or DC, which all indicate solvent-only cleaning.
- SW or WS – Fabric can be cleaned with either a solvent OR water-based cleaner.
- F – Clean with foam only. Some fabrics cannot handle water but can be cleaned with a specialty fabric foam.
- X – Vacuum only. Do not use solvents or water-based cleaners.
Professional upholstery cleaners can advise you on the safest ways to clean the fabrics in your home.
5. Use Recycled Items for Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning doesn’t need to cost much money. Don’t waste your hard-earned cash purchasing specialty gadgets.
- Old shirts and towels make great rags.
- A used dryer sheet makes a great duster. Not only does it trap dirt and dust, but it also leaves behind a fresh scent.
- Recycle newspapers to clean your windows instead of using paper towels.
- Use an old sock as a dusting rag for high-up places.
- Reuse old toothbrushes to scrub hard-to-reach spots.
Get creative! Instead of purchasing new cleaning supplies, use items you already own instead.
6. Rotate Your Wardrobe
Spring cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing floors and re-caulking bathrooms. A change in seasons is also a great time to change your wardrobe.
Want more room in your closet? Consider taking down your bulky winter clothing and storing it away during warmer months. Vacuum-sealed bags are an excellent way to save space and keep your clothes safe from pests and dust.
Another great spring cleaning tip is to rotate the hangers on each piece of clothing in your closet. At the end of the summer, notice which hangers you’ve turned (that is, what clothes you wear) and which have remained untouched. Consider selling or donating the clothes you don’t wear.
7. Cut Out the Clutter
Spring is a great time to declutter your home. Clutter makes our homes feel cramped and demands more of our time to organize and keep tidy. Freeing yourself from clutter opens up both your living space and your schedule.
Choose a “Declutter Week.” Each day, choose ten items to either throw away, sell, or donate. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter you feel without all that “stuff”!
8. Clean the Air
Don’t just focus on surfaces. The air you breathe needs some TLC, too. Clean your fan blades, have your HVAC system blown out serviced, and replace furnace filters. Cleaning the air not only improves your health but can also eliminate much of the dust and dirt in your home. Paying attention to your HVAC system now can mean spending less time dusting later.
What are your favorite spring cleaning tips? We would love to hear them! Share them in the comments below.
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