10 Tips to Get Started with your Spring Cleaning
We have finally made it to the spring season and now that the weather is allowing you to open up your home, it is time to start your spring cleaning. Throughout the winter, dust and other allergens build up in your home with no way to escape because the home is closed up for warmth. Effective spring cleaning will rid your home of these allergens to give the interior an improved appearance as well as a fresh, clean feeling. Spring cleaning can become overwhelming because there is so much to do and so many rooms to clean, but these spring cleaning tips will help you organize your efforts and create a cleaning schedule that you can stick with.
Create a Cleaning Schedule
Just about every room of your home could benefit from spring cleaning but it is unrealistic to squeeze them all into one day. Creating a spring cleaning schedule will help you clean one room at a time and stay focused on the task in each room. It helps to start with the rooms that need the most cleaning.
De-Clutter your Home
Unnecessary clutter causes your home to look messy and disorganized and some people may even experience higher levels of stress living in a home with significant clutter. De-cluttering your home is one of the first actions you should take with your spring cleaning to free up space and either donate or throw away items you no longer want or need. Extra clutter can also collect dust so just removing it can make your home a little cleaner. Once you have cleared your home of unnecessary clutter, it is time to begin cleaning.
Clean from the Top to Bottom
As you go from room to room, it is most effective to start cleaning at the top of the room and work your way down to the bottom. This way, all the dust and dirt will fall to the floor as you clean to get removed when you clean or vacuum the floor as the final step. Start by dusting ceiling fixtures and removing cobwebs, then clean the windows and dust your furniture and other objects. Cleaning the floor as your last step will ensure that all dust and dirt is removed from the room.
Use a Vacuum with a HEPA Filter
The carpet collects plenty of dust and debris during the winter and the spring provides a great opportunity to remove the collected debris from your carpet before it starts experiencing heavy in and out foot traffic. It is recommended to have your carpet professionally cleaned in the spring but vacuuming your carpet with a HEPA vacuum can effectively remove dirt, dust, and allergens that have built up in the carpet fibers. Remember to use the vacuum attachments to clean more than just your carpet as the hoses make it easier to clean furniture, cobwebs, molding, and small spaces.
Clean the Walls and Windows
So much of spring cleaning is focused on the floors and furniture in a home but you should not forget to clean the walls and windows as well. Some dust and dirt may gather on the wall and enough of it can cause the paint to look worn out or faded. Effectively cleaning the walls will help improve their appearance as well as the overall look of your home. Cleaning your windows will also improve the appearance of your home’s interior by letting in more natural light.
Use Green Cleaning Products
Green cleaning products are just as effective as traditional cleaners and they are safer for you, your kids, and your pets because they do not have harsh chemicals. There are cleaners available that are eco-friendly and you can also create green cleaning solutions using common household products such as vinegar, distilled water, baking soda, and others. Another way you can stay green during your spring cleaning is to use a steam cleaner for hard floors and appliances. Steam cleaners clean with hot water vapor and require no cleaning solutions or chemicals.
Clean your Kitchen and Bathroom
Even though the kitchen and bathroom are many homeowners’ least favorite spots to clean, they should be part of your regular cleaning routine all year because each room is used on a daily basis. Spring cleaning provides an opportunity to clean your kitchen and bathroom a little deeper than you do normally. When cleaning your kitchen this spring, make sure to clean your cabinets and appliances and throw away old or expired food items. When cleaning your bathroom, replace your shower curtain and go through the cabinets to throw away any expired medicine or cosmetics.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Your HVAC system has been circulating the same air with its dust and debris all winter, contributing to poor indoor air quality. In the spring, you can open up your home to let fresh air circulate in and change the filters in your furnace and HVAC system to improve the indoor air quality. The spring is also an ideal time to have your air ducts professionally cleaned if there is a large buildup of dust and debris.
Protect Yourself
Spring cleaning your home means handling cleaning products with chemicals as well as dust and other debris that can trigger allergic reactions. Make sure you read the labels of every cleaning product you use to check for chemicals that may cause allergies, and use gloves and a facemask when cleaning to protect your skin and face.
Use Spring Cleaning as an Excuse for Change
As you go through your home this spring do not limit yourself strictly to cleaning, take the opportunity to make some changes to the décor of your home. These changes could be as simple as replacing your window treatments and bedding or hanging up new artwork. The spring is also a good time to get a bigger project done like a kitchen or bathroom remodel. Obviously making these types of changes in your home are not as important as the cleaning tips discussed above but if you have been wanting to change something about your home, the spring may be the best time.
These spring cleaning tips should help you get a great start on cleaning your home by organizing your effort into a cleaning schedule. A clean home will not only look better, but also make you feel better with a healthier and more comfortable environment. If you cannot handle cleaning your entire house yourself or would like to hire a professional, ServiceMaster Professional Services offers a range of residential cleaning services for homeowners in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN area. You can call us anytime at (800) 245-4622 to learn more about our residential cleaning services.
