Now that the wintery days are coming to an end, it’s the perfect time to think about some good old spring cleaning. After months of winter hibernation, there’s a good chance that lots of dust and grime has accumulated in places around your home. You know how you always get sick during the winter? It’s not just because of the weather! A good spring clean not only improves the appearance of your home, but also gets rid of those nasty germs.
However, if you’re like most, the idea of tackling a spring clean is daunting, to say the least. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you tackle your home spring cleaning bit by bit. Before you know it, you home will be spick and span!
Have a plan
As mentioned above, cleaning your entire home can be very overwhelming, especially if you don’t have much spare time. However, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable chunks will make it much easier for your mind to process. It’s a good idea to make a checklist and put the areas in dire need of clean first. Then, make sure you’ve got all of the cleaning supplies you’ll need. The last thing you want is to get the motivation to clean and then realise you don’t have everything you need to make it really clean.
Some common supplies include:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
- Bleach
- Floor cleaner
- Dish soap
- Laundry detergent
- Air freshener
- Furniture polish
Don’t forget to make sure all of your cleaning tools are up to scratch too like your vacuum, your carpet cleaner, and even your feather duster. Once you know you’ve got it all, you can move on to the nitty gritty stuff – actually cleaning.
Declutter
It’s hard to clean any room if there’s a bunch of clutter lying around. We’re all guilty of it from time to time, but your first step before reaching for any cleaning products is to declutter. Go from room to room and get rid of things you no longer need or want. Don’t forget to sort through your wardrobes, drawers, and other storage spaces to make sure you haven’t missed anything. If you struggle to throw things away (or sell, or donate), then a good rule to use is the six month rule…
If you haven’t used it in the last six months, won’t use it in the next six months and it isn’t sentimental, then it’s probably time to part ways with it.
If things have become a little overrun in your home and you have belongings that you want to keep, it’s a good idea to get hold of some storage boxes so you can neatly store things away until you need them.
Deep clean every room
We know, the whole point of a spring clean is to deep clean every room, but we mean really deep clean it. Before you focus on one room at a time, take the time to go through each room and wipe down light fittings, windowsills, walls and skirting boards. Don’t forget to move furniture to make sure you’ve got all of the grime and dirt. You should also take the time to clean your windows both inside and out, and keep them open for a while to let some fresh air into your home. Once you’ve done this, you’ve got a great base to start with when it comes to focusing on each room individually.
Do a thorough kitchen refresh
Your kitchen is one of the most essential rooms in your home. You and your family cook there and in some cases (if you have a kitchen diner) you eat your food there too. Go through each cupboard and check expiration dates on all of your food. Anything that’s even slightly off should be thrown so that you know your dry and pantry foods are all well in date. Don’t forget to thoroughly clean inside and outside of all cabinets before putting the food back in to keep it all lovely and fresh.
Now’s the time to focus on your appliances. Deep clean your refrigerator, your oven and your microwave to remove any built up oil, grease or grime. And, don’t forget to clean your dishwasher either! Run it through a cycle with white vinegar to help get rid of any limescale and freshen it up. If you notice your dishwasher often smells a little funky you can use this trick too to keep bad odours at bay. If you have a garbage disposal, make sure you give that a good clean too.
Lastly, wipe down all of the sides and give the floor a good sweep and a mop. Your kitchen will look and feel as good as new!
Reorganise your laundry area
If you have a laundry area, there’s a good chance that cleaning this room often goes overlooked. After all, it’s a room that makes things clean, right?! Check your dryer for any built up lint and get rid of it thoroughly. Not only do you want to eliminate the dust, but it can be a fire hazard. Next, wipe down your washing machine drum and seals to help prevent any mould from growing. Running your washing machine through a cycle with washing machine cleaner will also help get rid of odours and any built up residue that could be affecting the performance.
Take the time to organise your laundry detergents and stain removers so that when it is laundry day, you can quickly reach for whatever you need. Lastly, give the room a good dusting to get rid of any built up dust that might have accumulated.
Revamp your bathroom
The bathroom is another room that will always benefit from a good deep clean. Taking the time to scrub your tiles, grout and your shower doors will help remove any built up soap scum and mildew. If you have a bath mat, consider replacing it as mold and bacteria can build up under the suction cups, making it a breeding ground. Next, take the time to clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces like toilet handles, faucets and light switches to get rid of any germs.
If you have a medicine cabinet, take everything out and clean the shelving. While you’re at it, check for any expired medication and dispose of any you no longer need. If your toothbrushes are due for a refresh, now’s as good of a time as ever to do that too.
Freshen your bedroom
Your bedroom is an area you go to relax, and if it’s not clean and comfortable, you’re not going to have a good night of sleep. Wash all of your bedding including any mattress toppers to remove any dust and dirt. If your mattress needs refreshing, sprinkle some baking soda over it and let it sit for a bit. Later on, vacuum it up and it will have got rid of any unwanted smells! Also, if your mattress is due to be rotated, you might as well do that now.
While vacuuming your bedroom, don’t forget to vacuum under your bed – dust accumulates quickly in areas like that! If you have a carpet cleaner, now’s a good time to get your bedroom carpets nice and fresh!
Don’t forget about outside!
A good spring clean isn’t just about making your indoors nice and clean, you should think about outdoors too. If you have an outside space, consider spring cleaning that too! Things like a patio, decking, balconies and garden furniture will have accumulated dirt and debris during the winter. Sweep, power wash, and wipe down surfaces to quickly give your outside space a fresh feel.
If you have flower beds, take the time to clear dead leaves and weeds, and turn over your soil ready for the warmer weather. If you have shrubbery or trees, take some time to prune them back to give them plenty of space to grow.
Any other equipment like your grill or pizza oven should also be checked. Not only might they need cleaning, but they might need a repair or replacement part in some cases. Finally, if you have a garden shed, arrange your tools and garden equipment so that it’s nice and tidy for when you come to make garden improvements.
Going forward
Spring cleaning is a big job, and even the cleanest and most organised of people should do it at least once a year. If you hate doing it all in one, why not choose to deep clean one room every few weeks or even once a month? Regularly cleaning and keeping on top of clutter will help save the amount of time you spend sorting everything! If you live with others, consider creating a chore chart to help distribute some of the workload. Chores are a great way for kids to earn some pocket money, and it’ll save you the backbreaking work!
So there we have it, 9 useful tips for your spring clean this year. Did we miss anything?
