10 Simple Ways You Can Spring Clean Your Whole House
While trudging out to the car I look around and notice the puddles on the sidewalk are growing and the snow piles are shrinking. A quick glance at the calendar confirms that spring is in fact just around the corner. Spring cleaning is a yearly ritual that leaves us with more than a clean home, it helps usher in the new season, fresh air, and shakes off the end of an often long winter. These ten tips will help you re-embrace your home organization and refresh your entire home.
1. Safety First: Take the time to change the batteries in all of your fire and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure they are in working order. In addition make certain you have a flashlight with fresh batteries on every floor of your home, in case of emergency.
2. Swap Wardrobes Out: Closets are a great place to start with home organization. When swapping out your winter wardrobe for your lighter spring clothes don't simply pull them off the hanger and tuck them away in a box. As you pack away your winter clothes, or move them to the back of the closet, look them over and make some decisions. If you haven't worn the item all winter, now might be the time to add it to the donation pile. Don't put away dirty or damaged clothes to deal with months from now. Make a trip to the drycleaner with your winter coats and sweaters that can't be machine washed. Make sure all of your buttons are sewn on and zippers are in working order.
3. Dust, Top to Bottom: Roll up your sleeves and get started. It's important to clean top to bottom so you don't have to double clean anything. Many dusting tools offer extenders for easier reach if you want to avoid standing on a ladder. Start with light fixtures and fan blades. Next wipe down the top of door casings and window sills, you might be unpleasantly surprised by how much dirt is accumulating in places you can't see.
4. Wash Walls and Baseboards: They may not look like it at first glance, but your walls and baseboards have been collecting dirt over the past year as well. A mop bucket of diluted all purpose cleaner and sponge is all you need to wipe them down with. This will leave your whole room smelling and feeling cleaner. If weather permits open the windows and let in the fresh air to finish the job!
5. Dust Table Tops: Remove any picture frames or display items and give your tables a good dusting. Vacuum your lamp shades and wipe under them as well. Look at the things you're putting back down on your table, is it time to change out the pictures, do you still have winter holiday decorations lingering around?
6. Clean Carpets and Upholstery: We've spent months of the year locked up indoors and dragging dirt, salt, and sand inside when we did venture out. Your floors and furniture have been the landing ground for most of it. If you don't own a cleaner you can rent one from a number of different locations. Be careful to read the instructions and if you don't feel confident consider having someone come and do this for you. Make sure you don't leave carpeting or furniture soaking wet, standing water can lead to its' own set of issues.
7. Vacuum and Flip Your Mattress: It's time to swap out your flannel sheets for the crisp linen ones. Make sure when you pack away your winter bedding that it has been cleaned. Stay on top of your home organization and don't store anything that is too worn or damaged to be used again next season.
8. Prepare to Welcome Guests: Shake out your entry mats, or change them out completely for new spring designs. Time to wash or shake out your entry way rugs too, they have borne the brunt of the winter grime. Wash away the dirt of boots and prepare for the days of sandals.
9. Prepare Outdoor Furniture: It's almost time to start enjoying your grill and patio again. That means it's time to break out the outdoor furniture and soap them down. Wash the winter grime from storage away and air out any cushions you have in storage.
10. Let in the Light: Cleaning windows is the heart of every spring cleaning checklist. Remember it's not just the glass and screens that need a good cleaning. Wipe down any blinds with a rag and all purpose cleaner. It's not as labor intensive to clean curtains or drapes as it may seem, many window treatments are machine washable, check yours!
Spring cleaning with home organization in mind will help you feel revived after a long winter. A clean and organized home gives us the energy to undertake our projects in the year to come.
1. Safety First: Take the time to change the batteries in all of your fire and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure they are in working order. In addition make certain you have a flashlight with fresh batteries on every floor of your home, in case of emergency.
2. Swap Wardrobes Out: Closets are a great place to start with home organization. When swapping out your winter wardrobe for your lighter spring clothes don't simply pull them off the hanger and tuck them away in a box. As you pack away your winter clothes, or move them to the back of the closet, look them over and make some decisions. If you haven't worn the item all winter, now might be the time to add it to the donation pile. Don't put away dirty or damaged clothes to deal with months from now. Make a trip to the drycleaner with your winter coats and sweaters that can't be machine washed. Make sure all of your buttons are sewn on and zippers are in working order.
3. Dust, Top to Bottom: Roll up your sleeves and get started. It's important to clean top to bottom so you don't have to double clean anything. Many dusting tools offer extenders for easier reach if you want to avoid standing on a ladder. Start with light fixtures and fan blades. Next wipe down the top of door casings and window sills, you might be unpleasantly surprised by how much dirt is accumulating in places you can't see.
4. Wash Walls and Baseboards: They may not look like it at first glance, but your walls and baseboards have been collecting dirt over the past year as well. A mop bucket of diluted all purpose cleaner and sponge is all you need to wipe them down with. This will leave your whole room smelling and feeling cleaner. If weather permits open the windows and let in the fresh air to finish the job!
5. Dust Table Tops: Remove any picture frames or display items and give your tables a good dusting. Vacuum your lamp shades and wipe under them as well. Look at the things you're putting back down on your table, is it time to change out the pictures, do you still have winter holiday decorations lingering around?
6. Clean Carpets and Upholstery: We've spent months of the year locked up indoors and dragging dirt, salt, and sand inside when we did venture out. Your floors and furniture have been the landing ground for most of it. If you don't own a cleaner you can rent one from a number of different locations. Be careful to read the instructions and if you don't feel confident consider having someone come and do this for you. Make sure you don't leave carpeting or furniture soaking wet, standing water can lead to its' own set of issues.
7. Vacuum and Flip Your Mattress: It's time to swap out your flannel sheets for the crisp linen ones. Make sure when you pack away your winter bedding that it has been cleaned. Stay on top of your home organization and don't store anything that is too worn or damaged to be used again next season.
8. Prepare to Welcome Guests: Shake out your entry mats, or change them out completely for new spring designs. Time to wash or shake out your entry way rugs too, they have borne the brunt of the winter grime. Wash away the dirt of boots and prepare for the days of sandals.
9. Prepare Outdoor Furniture: It's almost time to start enjoying your grill and patio again. That means it's time to break out the outdoor furniture and soap them down. Wash the winter grime from storage away and air out any cushions you have in storage.
10. Let in the Light: Cleaning windows is the heart of every spring cleaning checklist. Remember it's not just the glass and screens that need a good cleaning. Wipe down any blinds with a rag and all purpose cleaner. It's not as labor intensive to clean curtains or drapes as it may seem, many window treatments are machine washable, check yours!
Spring cleaning with home organization in mind will help you feel revived after a long winter. A clean and organized home gives us the energy to undertake our projects in the year to come.
