Spring is on its way and with that comes Spring Cleaning! As I have been going on and on about on Instagram for weeks, it is Spring Break at the University I work at. I took the whole week off (I have ten days off, actually...and I am stoked) so that I could go through things, purge, downsize and take back my living space. Here are some tips for your spring cleaning...
Purge.
This comes first and foremost. You need to make a bigger mess before you can clean it all up. Go through your closets, your mail piles and even your kitchen cabinets. Toss old expired food, chipping pots and pans and clothing/towels/sheets/etc with stubborn stains or holes. All of those clothes you have not worn in a year or more? Donate them (or sell them if you prefer, I will be doing a mixture of both). That set of dishes you never use or those brand new towels you just had to have for them to do nothing but sit in the linen closet? Same thing...get rid of them (donate or sell)! You lighten your hair for spring, wear brighter colors...it is time to lighten your load also!
Dust.
This seems like a no-brainer, right? No, I mean really dust. All of those places long forgotten about since who knows when. Of course you are going to do your tabletops, but also reach up to those ceiling fans and down to those baseboards. Walls & ceilings need wiped down too!
Windows.
Clean windows on the inside and outside. Don't forget about the screens! This is best done with warm water and dishwashing soap. Most window treatments are machines washable, but be sure to check the tag. Wipe down blinds with a damp cloth.
Furniture.
Vacuum your upholstered furniture & pillows (don't forget about underneath the cushions). Look for any stains and try to work your magic. Have furry friends? Bust out whatever lint removing magic tool you have and go to town. Don't forget about your mattresses! Vacuum them and rotate them. They wear unevenly due to our sleeping patterns and rotating them (& flipping if it is not a pillow top) throughout the year (usually once per season) will help extend the life of your mattress.
Linens.
Time to break out the spring linens. Air them out before putting them on beds or sofas. Clean your winter linens and store them properly.
Conquer the Fridge.
I think this is one of the most disgusting tasks around...I hate it! But empty it out and get to it. One of the best cleaning concoctions I have heard of for this job is abrasive salt and soda water.
Stove & Oven.
Break out the toothbrush and get into all of those hard to reach crevices on your stove. If you have drip pans either soak them or replace them with new ones (I usually opt for the latter because I am impatient). Clean the oven...it needs it, I assure you (I know mine does).
Faucets.
Sure, we clean them regularly...but how well? Time to get down and dirty with your sinks and faucets. My favorite cleaner is no longer on the market and my stockpile of it has since run out so I am on the lookout for a new one if anyone has suggestions. Lime buildup? Yuck. Soak it in vinegar for easy removal. Want to make them shine again? Put 50% water & 50% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, spray and wipe down. That should do the trick! Before you get to your bathroom faucets, spray the walls of your shower/tub with cleaner and let it soak while you are working on your faucets. Once you are done, wipe it down and rinse. No time wasted!
Floors.
You thought I was going to forget this one, didn't you? Nope, floors always come last! Think about all of the disgusting stuff that has been added to your floor (unintentionally, of course) from the tasks above. Time to clean it up! Vacuum and/or sweep thoroughly then do a deep cleaning. Carpet should be shampooed and hard floors waxed.
Odds & Ends.
Clean computers (they are dust magnets). Swap out the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. Update your first aid kit. Throw away expired makeup and perfumes.
Outdoors.
Once you are finished inside, head outdoors. Sweep your porch and patio areas to remove the dirt, dust and debris buildup from winter. Cleanup any outdoor furniture you may need to using dishwashing detergent (or recommended cleaner for that fabric). Take note of any landscaping changes you may want to make when it is warm enough.
Remember, this is a huge task. You do not have to complete it all in one day, but if you plan to ensure you leave yourself enough time. The last thing you want is for it to be midnight and your mattress be naked. So, schedule out your tasks and do your best to stick to it. Hopefully we will all be successful!
Purge.
This comes first and foremost. You need to make a bigger mess before you can clean it all up. Go through your closets, your mail piles and even your kitchen cabinets. Toss old expired food, chipping pots and pans and clothing/towels/sheets/etc with stubborn stains or holes. All of those clothes you have not worn in a year or more? Donate them (or sell them if you prefer, I will be doing a mixture of both). That set of dishes you never use or those brand new towels you just had to have for them to do nothing but sit in the linen closet? Same thing...get rid of them (donate or sell)! You lighten your hair for spring, wear brighter colors...it is time to lighten your load also!
Dust.
This seems like a no-brainer, right? No, I mean really dust. All of those places long forgotten about since who knows when. Of course you are going to do your tabletops, but also reach up to those ceiling fans and down to those baseboards. Walls & ceilings need wiped down too!
Windows.
Clean windows on the inside and outside. Don't forget about the screens! This is best done with warm water and dishwashing soap. Most window treatments are machines washable, but be sure to check the tag. Wipe down blinds with a damp cloth.
Furniture.
Vacuum your upholstered furniture & pillows (don't forget about underneath the cushions). Look for any stains and try to work your magic. Have furry friends? Bust out whatever lint removing magic tool you have and go to town. Don't forget about your mattresses! Vacuum them and rotate them. They wear unevenly due to our sleeping patterns and rotating them (& flipping if it is not a pillow top) throughout the year (usually once per season) will help extend the life of your mattress.
Linens.
Time to break out the spring linens. Air them out before putting them on beds or sofas. Clean your winter linens and store them properly.
Conquer the Fridge.
I think this is one of the most disgusting tasks around...I hate it! But empty it out and get to it. One of the best cleaning concoctions I have heard of for this job is abrasive salt and soda water.
Stove & Oven.
Break out the toothbrush and get into all of those hard to reach crevices on your stove. If you have drip pans either soak them or replace them with new ones (I usually opt for the latter because I am impatient). Clean the oven...it needs it, I assure you (I know mine does).
Faucets.
Sure, we clean them regularly...but how well? Time to get down and dirty with your sinks and faucets. My favorite cleaner is no longer on the market and my stockpile of it has since run out so I am on the lookout for a new one if anyone has suggestions. Lime buildup? Yuck. Soak it in vinegar for easy removal. Want to make them shine again? Put 50% water & 50% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, spray and wipe down. That should do the trick! Before you get to your bathroom faucets, spray the walls of your shower/tub with cleaner and let it soak while you are working on your faucets. Once you are done, wipe it down and rinse. No time wasted!
Floors.
You thought I was going to forget this one, didn't you? Nope, floors always come last! Think about all of the disgusting stuff that has been added to your floor (unintentionally, of course) from the tasks above. Time to clean it up! Vacuum and/or sweep thoroughly then do a deep cleaning. Carpet should be shampooed and hard floors waxed.
Odds & Ends.
Clean computers (they are dust magnets). Swap out the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. Update your first aid kit. Throw away expired makeup and perfumes.
Outdoors.
Once you are finished inside, head outdoors. Sweep your porch and patio areas to remove the dirt, dust and debris buildup from winter. Cleanup any outdoor furniture you may need to using dishwashing detergent (or recommended cleaner for that fabric). Take note of any landscaping changes you may want to make when it is warm enough.
Remember, this is a huge task. You do not have to complete it all in one day, but if you plan to ensure you leave yourself enough time. The last thing you want is for it to be midnight and your mattress be naked. So, schedule out your tasks and do your best to stick to it. Hopefully we will all be successful!
No comments:
Post a Comment