Tips to Make The Most of Spring Cleaning

When winter comes to a close, many people are ready to take a good look at their homes and do a complete cleaning. Spring cleaning is intimidating to a lot of people. Figure out what is it you need to keep instead of what you want to keep. Sell a few items at the pawn shop, follow a few of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner and more organized home for spring.

1. Set a Timer

Around the house, give yourself time goals. It is very easy to start going through certain items and reminiscing on the good days or the history behind it. Give yourself 45 minutes to go through a room. While you clean, set aside items you think you need to throw away, sell or donate. Small manageable goals will make the process much easier to get through. It can be fun to challenge yourself and get the job done more quickly than you expected.

 

2. Use Natural Cleaners

Try using natural cleaning products in place of harsh chemicals. These are better for the environment and safe around pets and children. Vinegar makes an excellent cleaner for glass and surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach stains or disinfect surfaces. Baking soda is great for scrubbing surfaces and keeping drains fresh.

 

3. Sell Unwanted Items

The general rule is that if you haven’t used an item in a year, you don’t really need it. If you find valuable objects like jewelry, electronics, or even musical instruments while you’re cleaning, decide what you really need to keep and what you can part with. Selling some of your unwanted items not only frees up space, but gives you money to invest in new things. For items that don’t carry a great resale value, donate it to the local thrift store.

 

4. Simple Tricks to Clean Household Items

  • Ceiling fans are often neglected because people just aren’t sure how to clean them. Put a pillowcase over your fan blades. The dust will stay inside the pillowcase and will not fly all over the room.
  • Use a dryer sheet on your floor sweeper to freshen the room and prevent cat or dog hair from sticking.
  • To clean your shower head, fill a plastic bag halfway with vinegar. Hang it over the shower head with a rubber band and let it sit overnight to remove hard water deposits.
  • Use tennis balls in the dryer to make your items dry faster and fluff pillows and down items.

5. Furniture

Take apart and vacuum all of your upholstered furniture. Wipe the cushions with a damp rag or whatever cleaning solution is appropriate. Let them dry before you put them back together. The damp rag is great for removing pet hair and crumbs that the vacuum cleaner might miss.

After you thoroughly vacuum your couch, put a sheet under the cushions. This will make it much easier to keep it clean, catching all the things that end up between the cushions.

 

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be intimidating. With just a few areas at a time, you can have your whole house ready for warmer weather in no time. Try our simple tricks and tips to help you clean more efficiently. If you find anything you don’t want, think about selling it. You’ll be decluttering your house and putting money in your pocket at the same time.