Spring Cleaning Tips + Printable Checklist!
Cleaning has become a theme in many of our homes this past year, thanks to a global pandemic. Spring cleaning might actually be the last thing you’re thinking about after spending the entire year scrubbing and disinfecting your home’s surfaces. However, if you’re the type that still gets the “cleaning bug” as soon as the weather warms enough to crack your windows open for some fresh air, then these tips are for you. Spring is a time of renewal, and a great time to tackle deep cleaning and organizing projects around your home.
Have a Plan
Take a look around your home to identify what areas need the most help. Are there rooms that get more use and abuse? Are there areas that you tend to skip during your routine cleaning? Prioritize and break up the work into manageable “phases” so that you can efficiently work through them in order. If you’re the “list making type”, a check list can keep you on track. We’ve also included a printable one here if you don’t know where to start, compliments of our friends at Taste of Home (check them out for great recipes too!).
Start With De-Cluttering
Cleaning will be much easier without a bunch of stuff in your way, so start by making a trip to your local thrift store to donate unwanted items. We all have clothes we don’t wear, a small kitchen appliance that we never use, or stacks of old papers that can be shredded. Getting rid of things you no longer want or need will make your task easier, and in the case of donated items, they can get a “second life” with someone who will use them. If you have items of greater value that you no longer use (impulse bought a treadmill at the start of the pandemic?) then throw them on a local buy/sell site and put some money back in your pocket while clearing some space in your home.
Work Smarter
When it comes to spring cleaning you’re already working hard, so don’t make it even harder than it needs to be. Tackle each room from top to bottom so that you don’t have to go back over your rugs with the vacuum because you knocked dust off of the ceiling fan onto your freshly cleaned floor. Cleaning from top to bottom and back to front will ensure that you don’t have to go over the same areas again. If you have access to one, make sure you’re using a HEPA vacuum too. A good HEPA vacuum will not only eliminate dust, it will trap particulates that you can’t even see.
Clean Your Air Too
Spring is a great time to change furnace filters and schedule any needed maintenance for your HVAC system. If you have an air purifier or humidifier unit on your furnace, don’t forget that those need regular maintenance to perform optimally too. If you’re replacing your HVAC filter, make sure you opt for a high quality one with a high MERV rating. These filters will catch smaller particles in addition to dust and dirt. Keeping your home’s air clean is a great way to keep yourself healthier and cut down on allergens that are on the rise in Spring months.