Spring is in the air, and now is the perfect time to give your home a proper cleaning. But where do you even start with this task? Below are nine great spring cleaning tips, and some cleaning hacks, that you need to tackle now.
Clean Baseboards
These areas are often disregarded but can quickly accumulate dust, dirt and pet hair, particularly in high-traffic areas such as the living room and kitchen. The areas will need frequent dusting, but if they have become built up with grease and dirt, they may require a deeper spring clean.
The exact treatment depends on whether they are painted or made from natural wood or tile, but the general approach is to dust and vacuum before using a gentle mix of warm water and dish soap applied with a cloth. Wipe them down with a clean towel afterwards to ensure that they are completely dry.
Dust Light Fixtures
Lights and lamps draw dust to them every time the bulb is turned on and hot, and a large amount of dust will naturally settle inside lampshades, whether on the wall, ceiling, tabletop or floor.
To clean them, start by turning off the power source before removing any bulbs and shades and wiping them down with a damp cloth or sponge. Use a soft-bristled brush, an old toothbrush or a lint roller to remove any dust and dirt from the fixture itself.
Clean Windows
Keeping your windows fresh and clean is a task that you should be keeping on top of regularly, but spring is the perfect time to give them that extra deep clean to ensure that the sunlight can flow freely into your home.
Fill a large bucket with clean, cool water and add a few drops of soapy detergent. Use a clean microfiber cloth or sponge to go over the surface of the window, working your way down from top to bottom. Spray thoroughly with vinegar and water solution, and use a clean, lint-free towel to wipe them over for that perfect streak-free shine.
Clean out the Fridge and Freezer
Spring marks the start of grilling season, so what better time to clear out your fridge and freezer? Start by checking through all your food and beverage items and throwing away any that are out of date – you may be surprised how much has been forgotten at the back of your freezer!
Once you have got rid of anything that you will no longer consume, place any items that you want to keep in a well-sealed freezer bag. Take out any drawers and shelves and leave them to soak in a soapy detergent, which you can then wipe down the interior of the appliance before defrosting and returning your foodstuff.
Organize Kitchen Cupboards and Drawers
When it comes to organizing your kitchen, it is useful to group items with similar purposes together so that you know exactly where they are when you need them. Group items in cupboards and drawers into sets of what they are used for, such as washing, prepping, cooking, baking, etc. This also applies to foodstuffs, and it is a good idea to sort spices, tins, cans, dry foods, etc., into categories.
Drawer dividers and organizers can be directly inserted into your drawers to keep utensils in their designated space. You can also find these excellent resources for deeper drawers to assist you in organizing and stacking larger items such as crockery and saucepans.
Organize Your Wardrobe
Dividing your items into summer and winter clothing can be a great solution for saving space and is particularly crucial if you have a smaller wardrobe. As the weather is starting to become much warmer and sunnier, it is the perfect time to move your summer clothes to the forefront!
If you are limited on wardrobe space, boxes and suitcases stored away in clever spaces such as under a raised bed can be a perfect place to store your winter clothes until next season. Make sure that storage areas are completely free of moisture to avoid any damage occurring to fabrics.
Deep Clean Your Bathroom
Our bathrooms are some of the highest traffic areas in our homes, as well as the most moisture, so they can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Clean sinks, bathtubs, and showers thoroughly with a bleach solution to remove any mildew and soap scum, making sure you get into the tough corners.
Other areas to give a good wipe-over include the tops of cabinets and shelves. These spaces are often forgotten about in our weekly cleaning routines but could be harboring a number of dust particles that can trigger allergies and respiratory conditions.
Clean Your Curtains or Blinds
Over time, curtains and blinds can collect a large amount of dust and debris. Spring and summer are ideal times for cleaning them as we are less in need of extra insulation, and they can be hung out to dry on the line for that perfect fresh scent.
Many curtains are not washing machine-friendly, so they will be best cleaned with a damp cloth or a steamer. Handheld steamers are also a great way to spruce them up whilst they are still hanging on the rod in between your spring/summer airings.
Vacuum and Mop Floors
Vacuuming your floors and carpets is likely to be a task that is completed at least once a week. But are we always getting stuck into all of those hard-to-reach areas? Kick off your spring clean by moving furniture such as sofas, beds, and refrigerators to combat the dust that has accumulated underneath.
Once the area is vacuumed and free of dust and debris, tackle hard flooring with a mop to leave it looking shiny and new. Wet and wring the mop before using it and spot-treat tricky areas. Rinse carefully and allow the floor to dry fully before walking on it again.