Finally! The sun’s out (more days than not) and shining brightly. The birds are chirping, the trees are budding, and the grass is greening up – at least for those living north of the Equator. While the warmer temperatures have felt long overdue, so has a good spring cleaning of your home.
Some might be thinking, “I keep my house pretty clean throughout the year – spring cleaning won’t be any different.” It’s not about the surface-level cleaning that makes your house look noticeably cleaner and refreshed. It’s the deep cleaning of all the nooks and crannies that get ignored – at least annually.
Just thinking about all that cleaning can be a daunting task. That’s why this post is meant to simplify spring cleaning, so you can get it done quickly and enjoy the warm spring weather outside.
Clean Room by Room
Simplify your cleaning ideal by focusing on one room at a time. You know – eat that elephant one piece at a time. If you try to think about everything that needs to be done in the entire house, you’ll become overwhelmed and probably want to give up before you’ve even started.
Tackling the task one room at a time allows you to focus on the specifics. Start by making a list of everything that needs to be done in that room. Begin with the areas that have been largely neglected over the winter and do the areas that get cleaned more regularly last.
Get Organized
Now is a great time to go through your items and clear out the clutter. Go through everything, making piles of different categories; e.g., trash, donate, keep, store. This is a good opportunity to change out any winter clothes or linens and bring out the spring items.
This spring cleaning exercise ultimately helps you trade up and replace items. Going into spring you may want to consider lighter, more breathable fabrics that will keep you cooler and comfier. Switching out your bed linens for bamboo-viscose sheets is a great way to trade up and keep your bed cleaner and cooler. Bamboo is a highly sustainable material that naturally repels odors and allergens, while also keeping you fresher and cozier.
Start from the Top Down
There’s this inevitable thing called gravity that makes everything fall so, when you’re cleaning dust and other dirt, it’s going to fall, which isn’t ideal if you first cleaned your floors. That’s why it’s best to start cleaning from the top down. For example, wipe the ceiling, dust the ceiling fan, wipe down the walls, and dust tables all before you set your eyes on the lower half of the room.
With a top-down mentality, it’s a great way to start your checklist for that room. You’ll be well prepared and be finished cleaning in no time.
Cleaning Products
There are a plethora of cleaning products to choose from these days, and figuring out which ones are best and where to use them in your house can feel overwhelming. If you’re not sure what to buy, let’s start by keeping it simple and sustainable. Do your best to find all-purpose, earth-friendly cleaners and microfiber cloths to get the spring-cleaning job done. If there’s an area in your home that requires specialty cleaning products, then simply buy those products as needed.
Make Spring Cleaning Fun!
Spring cleaning doesn’t always have to be all work and no play. Turn on the music and shake it up while you wipe down your baseboards.
You also don’t have to clean alone. Get the whole family involved and make spring cleaning a game or competition with a celebration after the hard work is done.
What are some of your favorite spring-cleaning tips? Let us know in the comments.
