10 effective spring cleaning tips
Spring is the perfect time to clean, and it's also a great opportunity to organize your home. That said, spring cleaning can be overwhelming if you don't have a plan—after all, it's not just about getting rid of clutter (though that's certainly part of it). Cleaning up your space makes way for new energy and thoughts that can positively affect your mood and outlook on life. Spring cleaning can be a fun and exciting way to clean up your home. However, many people are not aware of the benefits of natural, non-toxic ways of cleaning. So get ready to get started! Here are 10 natural spring cleaning tips:
Start with the closet
The closet is a great place to start when you're spring cleaning your home. It's such a small space, but it can hold so much clutter. The first thing to do is take everything out of the closet and lay it on the bed or floor (or both). After that, you have several options for organizing:
- By type of clothing (sweaters, shirts, pants)
- By color (black vests with black pants; white cotton shirts; red dresses)
- By season (summer sweaters/blouses; winter coats/scarves/gloves)
- By size (medium-sized t-shirts; large-sized jeans)
- By age (old T-shirts from college; new pajama sets from Target)
Try a wardrobe cleanse
Start with a wardrobe cleanse. Look at what you have, and then figure out how much of it you wear and that still fits. Sell, donate or throw away any clothes that are damaged beyond repair or in poor condition; if they don't fit in your current wardrobe, there's no point keeping them around. If you're having trouble deciding whether to get rid of something or not, put it in a box for later—you might find yourself wearing the item before long!
Wash it down
Next, it's time to clean the windows. In addition to giving you a great view of your property, they also reflect light and heat into your home, making them an important aspect of keeping your house comfortable. To clean them properly:
- Wash down or power wash any dirt or debris off the outside of the windows—this will prevent most of it from being tracked inside later on.
- Use a squeegee to remove water from inside the window frames; this prevents mildew that can cause mold growth in those areas (and elsewhere).
Let there be light
- Turn on the lights.
- Open the curtains or blinds to let in sunlight and make your home feel more welcoming.
- Clean windows, mirrors, and lights with vinegar or baking soda and vinegar (see below).
Clean from the top down
When you clean, start by cleaning the highest surface. This will give you a vantage point for seeing what needs to be done, and it will allow the dust and dirt to fall into your vacuum or dustpan. If you start at the bottom of your house, such as with a bathroom tub or toilet, then all of that filth will fly up into the air (and on your face) when you're cleaning it!
If there's one surface in particular that's giving off more dust than others (like an old bookcase), clean that one first; if all surfaces need attention but none more so than another (such as an entire room), start with any area that needs attention most urgently: typically this means starting with dirtier areas like kitchen counters instead of floors.
Focus on your floors
When it comes to spring cleaning, the floor is often overlooked. It's easy to think that a quick vacuum or sweep will do the trick, but you'll be surprised at how much more your floors can benefit from some extra TLC. Here are some of our favorite floor-cleaning tips:
- Vacuum. A good old-fashioned vacuum is great for picking up dirt and dust on hardwood floors and carpet cleaning alike—just be sure not to use one on delicate rugs or carpeting!
- Mop. For deeper cleaning duty, mop up spills right away with a damp cloth or sponge before they dry out completely (floods happen). If you have wood floors, try using an all-purpose cleaner instead of bleach since it will keep them looking their best longer.
- For tile and grout cleaning, in particular, scrub away stubborn stains with warm water mixed with baking soda; then rinse thoroughly with clean water so no residue remains behind for mold growth later on down the road.
- Sweep and mop/vacuum if needed - When sweeping leaves dander behind in addition to dirt particles then it’s time for vacuuming again too since sweeping alone won't get everything out."
Organize your cleaning supplies
- Organize your room. Keeping your cleaning supplies organized by room is a great way to ensure that you have everything you need when it comes time to clean. Plus, keeping them in one place allows you to limit the amount of time it takes for you—and anyone else who might be helping out—to find what they need.
- Keep them in a designated area. A lot of people keep their cleaning materials in cabinets or closets, but this can get cluttered fast! If there's not enough space, consider getting some organizers like bins or drawer organizers so everything has its spot and stays put when not in use.
- Clean regularly. If possible, check on your tools at least once per week (this will help prevent mold growth) and wash any clothes as soon as they become dirty rather than waiting until after each use (which could lead to bacteria).
Make it timely
Spring is a great time to clean, as the weather is on your side and you have motivation from hitting the ground running in a new season. If you hate cleaning the house, it’s important to remember that spring cleaning isn’t about making everything sparkly and perfect—it’s about getting organized so that you can live more comfortably. Achieving a state of an order will make it easier for you when it comes time to scrub down the bathroom or vacuum under furniture.
In addition to being a great time of year for getting rid of clutter, spring is also a perfect opportunity for starting fresh: getting rid of old clothes or other items that no longer serve their purpose; organizing papers; cleaning windows; taking stock of what needs replacing in your home (such as worn furniture) and making some purchases accordingly; pruning bushes or trees that need attention; giving plants fresh soil if necessary. Perhaps most importantly, this can be an opportunity for reflecting on how well we are caring for our homes—or whether we want them at all!
Let in fresh air
- Open your windows to let in the fresh air and try always to keep them clean.
- Use a fan to circulate the air and make you feel more comfortable.
- Let in more sunlight. The sun can help kill dust mites and mold spores, as well as prevent dust from settling on your floors and furniture.
- If you live in an area where humidity is high, you may need to use a dehumidifier or portable humidifier to keep things dry inside your home. A moisture meter can tell you whether it's time for one of these options: once the humidity reaches 60% in a room, it's time for action! You can also buy moisture barriers (such as plastic sheeting) that will prevent water vapor from escaping through windows or doors; they're best used after painting.
Use this checklist as a guide
Use this checklist as a guide to help you get started:
- Make sure you have all the supplies you need. You'll want to make sure that any cleaning materials, tools, and equipment are in good working order before getting started.
- Make sure that you have enough time to do the job. Spring cleaning can be a big project, so make sure it's something that can be accomplished over multiple days or even weeks if necessary.
- Think about where you're going to store all those cleaning supplies after they're no longer needed - maybe a closet or under-bed storage box would work best for this purpose?
Gather supplies, make a plan, and get cleaning!
Now that you have a better idea of what cleaning supplies you'll need, it's time to start gathering your supplies. Make sure to check the expiration dates on all the products before purchasing them so that nothing goes bad during storage.
Once you've got all your supplies together, it's time to make a plan for tackling each room in your home. You may find that some rooms are easier than others; if so, save them for last! If some rooms are more challenging or require more effort and attention than others, start their first so as not to waste energy later in case you're too tired out by then from working hard at other tasks earlier in the day (or week).
Last but not least: This is important: make sure there's enough time set aside for completing this project before beginning! It's better to start early with an ambitious schedule than get halfway through only realizing how late it is and rushing through everything quickly just so you can get back out into life again sooner rather than later.
Spring cleaning is a great way to start the year fresh. It can be a little overwhelming at first, but these tips are simple but effective, and we hope these tips will help you get started on your spring cleaning adventure. They'll help you to relax, breathe easier, and live healthier.