Spring Cleaning Tips

With warm weather and gorgeous outdoors, Spring is the perfect time to enjoy your home in the company of visitors. The increased flow of visitors to your house during Spring also necessitates deep cleaning practices. Winter precedes Spring. During winter, we mostly keep our doors and windows closed, causing the increased trapping of dirt and debris. Springtime is also an allergy season, so cleaning helps protect your loved ones from attacks. While all parts of your home need your attention, some areas may require a greater investment of time and energy than others. In today’s article, we explore some spring cleaning tips that will keep your house warm and inviting over the Spring season.

1. Break Down Cleaning Tasks into Small Chunks

While Spring cleaning should be thorough, it doesn’t have to take a toll on your system. By breaking down your tasks into smaller chunks of time, you make yourself more productive. Turning cleaning into baby steps makes deep cleaning more doable and approachable, so we are less likely to procrastinate. To help you tackle your spring cleaning needs, here are a few 10-minute tasks that will ensure your house stays clean throughout springtime:

1. Dust open surfaces– with a feather duster or dusting wand, you can give your walls, countertops, and appliances a refreshing look within minutes. If you have a little more time to spare, you can polish these surfaces to give them a quick shine.
2. Clean doors, doorknobs, and switches– since they come into contact with humans a lot, these items are prone to scratching and dust buildup. You can use a damp microfiber cloth to eliminate scratches, smudges, fingerprints, and other markings from these surfaces.

• Clear dust and debris from molding, trim and baseboards using a microfiber cloth.

1. Clean ceiling fans using a pillowcase to collect dust and warm, soapy water to wipe the blades.

2. Declutter your Space

Spring is the perfect time to streamline your lifestyle by getting rid of all the items you don’t use. Once you get rid of the clutter, your spring cleaning will be more organized and efficient. There are several other benefits to de-cluttering your home. With a less cluttered workspace, you can clean every surface easily, reducing the likelihood that someone will inhale dust particles that seriously harm their health. A cluttered home also takes a toll on our psychological well-being. To de-clutter, you should sort your items into four categories: those you’ll put away, give away, trash, and those you plan to store. You can organize a garage sale or donate to get rid of useless items. To free up your space further, you should organize closets, check your junk drawer, and organize your office.

3. Reduce Spending on Cleaning Supplies

When it comes to spring cleaning, basic supplies will take you a long way. With a good all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth, you can keep all the surfaces and appliances in your home clean and crisp. Homemade cleaners have proven to be just as effective as many commercial agents, at a fraction of the cost. If you are interested in a DIY cleaning solution, you will need:

• ¾ cup water
• ¾ cup rubbing alcohol
• 10 drops peppermint or lemon essential oil
• 1 squirt natural dish soap

Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well. Spray onto surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth.

4. Have a Cleaning Schedule and Get the Family Involved

When deep cleaning, having a plan will keep you focused on each task and help you keep track of your cleaning activities. With a good schedule, you will know the areas of your house that need the most cleaning, and those areas that get skipped during routine cleaning. Since Spring cleaning can be overwhelming, you can get your family members to help out with other tasks. With a little help, you can significantly reduce the workload. To encourage participation, you can establish a family reward or any other incentive that makes cleaning feel like less of a hassle.

5. Pay Attention to Your Windows and Walls

It is not uncommon for people to clean their floors & surfaces and forget about walls. Some dust particles may settle on your walls and windows, especially in winter. Taking the time to clean your walls will leave your home feeling fresh and clean for longer. You can use a DIY cleaning solution or store-bought surface cleaners to remove spots and smudges from your windows. Apply the cleaning solution and wipe down with old newspapers to give your windows a clean sheen.

Following these spring cleaning tips will make your spring cleaning a walk in the park. Remember to have a room-by-room cleaning checklist that will come in handy every deep-cleaning season. If you are in  Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, talk to Aspen Home Improvements about your house maintenance. For over 25 years, we’ve taken pride in keeping our clients’ homes in great shape. Contact one of our representatives for a consultation on the best practices that will give your home the best value.