Something about spring makes you want to wipe the slate clean. After months of being cooped up in the cold winter, it’s time to open the windows and let the sunshine in.
So gather your gloves, line up those floor baskets, and shift your vacuum into overdrive. It’s time to do serious scrubbing this spring.
Out with the Old
While experts say you do not have to wait for spring to do some cleaning, this season may be a good chance to tackle chores you’ve been putting off. Additionally, spring cleaning has taken on greater importance with the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, people turn to upping their home cleaning to help stem COVID-19 transmission.
Aside from having a neat and decluttered space, spring cleaning can also do wonders for your health. According to studies, spring cleaning can boost your mood. It can also improve focus, reduce depression and stress, and help avoid accidents.
A clean house can also help you breathe better. During winter, accumulated dander, dirt, and dust can cause allergies and other immune system issues. Doing a deep house clean reduces the risk of getting sick because of these allergens. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), removing built-up dust and mold can help ease allergy sufferers' symptoms.
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Moreover, cleaning can also improve your mood. Aside from the satisfaction derived from a neat and organized space, the endorphins released with physical activity can make you feel good about yourself. Spring cleaning with family and friends adds to creating a fun and productive experience, as well.
Read on if you’re ready to start but are lost on how or where to start. We’re here to give you some helpful hints so you can get spring cleaning done and dusted.
Tip #1: Make a Game Plan
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Whether making a detailed checklist complete with charts and tables or simply jotting down a rough list, it’s always good to have a plan. Writing down a to-do list will make spring cleaning more efficient.
Divide and conquer. List all the areas you want to clean and identify which ones you’d like to do first. If you’re cleaning with friends or family, this is also the best way to designate chores.
Tip #2: Gather Your Tools
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Don’t go into battle unprepared.
Before you start, make sure that you prepare all your cleaning supplies and tools. Refer to your game plan to see what products or equipment you need. The market has countless cleaning products, including household names and environment-friendly options. You can also opt for DIY ones if you have the time and willingness to learn how to do them yourself.
Tip #3: Start Small and Simple
Go for the most obvious tasks first. Clearing away things just lying around and putting them in their proper places is a start. Next, make use of modern baskets in your home. These are versatile investments that can both be decorative and functional. You can even use them to haul items from one room to another, like bringing dirty clothes to the laundry room.
Deal with the simplest chores. It can be clearing out cobwebs, dusting, or sweeping the floors. Wiping crumbs off the tables, depositing coins and keys in trays and catchalls, or organizing utensils in tabletop bins are good kick-off points.
You can move on to bigger rooms and more tedious tasks when the simpler chores are out of the way. For example, scrubbing surfaces, deep cleaning upholstery and furniture, and removing deep-seated grease and grime need more time and focus.
Tip #4: Take it Top-to-Bottom
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A handy rule for cleaning is to begin from the top. This strategy ensures no dust is left on the floor or surfaces. If you have a single-level space, go from ceiling to walls and down to the floors.
Tip #5: Declutter
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Now is the best time to also review your current inventory. Whether it’s clothes, home items, shoes, or toys, there must be something that you no longer need and use.
Sort through your things and identify which ones you can let go of. Have bins ready (or if you have multi-use planters, why not use them too?) so items are grouped into neat piles. Segregate your stuff according to where they will end up – for donation, recycling, or garbage disposal.
Since you’ve weeded out the items you don’t need, you now have a trimmed-down inventory. Aside from allowing you to streamline your belongings, spring cleaning will enable you to reorganize your things.
Tip #6: Deep Clean
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Once you’ve completed the simpler tasks, you can dedicate more time to deep cleaning. These may require more time and effort but is necessary for a cleaner and healthier living environment.
Train your sights and energy to high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces. Examples of these are door handles, light switches, and remotes. Disinfect well by using the correct products. Spring cleaning may be a good time to invest in air filters, sanitation, and disinfection tools to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Tip #7: Don’t skip the Details
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When cleaning, make sure that you also go into detail. Don’t neglect hard-to-reach areas like nooks and crannies. Also, clean under beds or furniture, behind cabinets, or inside ovens and refrigerators. Scouring tiles and grouts, declogging and deodorizing sinks, and cleaning or replacing HVAC filters also need your attention. You may also want to have appliances or equipment repaired or replaced.
In with the New
Now that you have a basic idea of how to go about your spring cleaning, you can look forward to a cleaner, more organized home. But don’t forget to take it easy and clean at your own pace. Don’t cram everything in one go.
It will also help you be motivated if you start your spring cleaning with the right attitude, a bright space, and a realistic goal. So open up the windows, play some music, and have fun. It’s when you enjoy what you’re doing.