These tips will help tackle dirt and grime to create a healthy home.
Baseboards and bathrooms and vents, oh my.
While not everyone may enjoy their spring cleaning chores, it’s better than some other seasonal activities that occur during the same time frame, like writing a fat check to Uncle Sam or trying to figure out if the cat food purchased to feed stray cats is tax deductible (it’s not, if you’re wondering).
Historically, the spring cleaning habit developed before the advent of a host of modern conveniences, when people heated their homes with coal and/or wood and lit them by gas or candlelight. Soot and grime were the natural companions of winter and when spring arrived, the doors were thrown open and everything- rugs, furniture, cupboards, curtains and more- was aired out, cleaned out, swept out and scrubbed out.
Even in the modern world, spring cleaning is a top priority for more Americans than ever, according to new consumer data released by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). If you’re one of the 80 percent of Americans that plan to spring clean this year, take comfort in the knowledge that it’s a great way to help achieve a safe and healthy home while getting rid of a Florida winter’s worth of dust and clutter. Cleaning also can help lower stress, release endorphins (brain chemicals that act as the body’s natural painkillers and help improve mood) and provide greater peace of mind.
With spring cleaning coming into full bloom- and National Cleaning Week right around the corner (March 23-29)- now is the time to remove dust, dirt and clutter from your home.
The following are tips to help make spring cleaning a cinch:
Prep for Spring Cleaning Days
Inventory your supplies and add what’s missing to your grocery list. The basics include an all-purpose spray cleaner, an abrasive cleaner, a nonabrasive cleaner for gentle cleaning on easily scratched surfaces, chlorine bleach to disinfect, glass cleaner, a furniture dusting product such as a microfiber cloth and toilet bowl cleaner.
The best way to tackle the job is to plan your work and work your plan, whether it’s tackling it quickly all at once or in smaller chunks of time. Either way, make a to-do list of what you want to clean, then divide it up by task or room. Generally, it’s best to do the rooms that need the most work or get the most traffic first. That way, if your cleaning plan fizzles out, the biggest jobs were completed.
Tackle Clutter
Take everything out of the closet, dresser, shelves, under the bed and off the furniture. Put stuff in separate piles for recycling, selling, keeping or donating. Separate out what you don’t need anymore and donate to a local charity.
Keep similar items together so that children know where to find things. Put items inside drawers, closet, covered boxes or plastic containers so dust can’t collect on them.
Window Blinds/Curtains
If you try to clean all the blinds in one day, chances are that you may not be as thorough on the later ones. Pace yourself and only clean one or two windows (or one room) a day.
Take down curtains to wash or take to the cleaners or vacuum them and use a fabric refresher to neutralize any odors.
Walls
Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment on the hose to clean up any cobwebs in the corners.
Ceiling Fans
Wipe or vacuum the blades first to get any loose dust, then spray your cleaning cloth to keep any cleaning product from staining your ceiling.
Upholstered furniture
Vacuum the cushions and under them.
Use a fabric refresher to neutralize any odors.
Recruit Help
Americans love their holidays. Start a Family Spring Cleaning Day to get everyone involved. Assign tasks according to age and ability. Have lunch preplanned (maybe even delivered) so your or your helpers don’t lost momentum. Make it fun by playing your favorite genre of music, but make sure it puts pep in your step.
Pair Up with a friend. If you live alone or family members can’t help, find a like-minded friend and clean together.
Call in the professionals. If your budget allows, pay someone to come in and wash the windows, shampoo the carpets, clean the upholstery or even do the majority of the cleaning after you’ve removed the clutter.
Spring Cleaning Tips For Every Room: (in a separate box) Kitchen
Clean out pantry.
Wash kitchen cabinets.
Deep clean oven.
Move fridge- vacuum and mop behind it.
Vacuum coils on fridge.
Eep clean fridge inside- wash outside.
Bedroom
Wash all bedding.
Wash all bed and throw pillows.
Flip mattress- if using pillow top, rotate mattress.
Purge anything stored under bed you don’t want anymore.
Bathroom
Clean and disinfect tub and shower.
Wash bathmats.
Dust and replace decorative items.
Wash and/or replace shower liners and shower curtains.
Other
Discard old and expired makeup.
Update first-aid kits. Toss expired medication.
