When it comes to spring cleaning, you either love it or hate it. Although you do not have to wait until spring to deep clean your house or office, the concept of spring cleaning is a nice reminder to freshen up your space at least once a year.
It is a common belief that living or working in a dirty and cluttered space can lead to stress and less productivity. Unfortunately, life can get busy, and it is easy to let dust and junk build up over time. However, spring cleaning can ease your mind and give you a fresh start. It may seem like a long and tedious task, but you can make spring cleaning easier with these 7 tips.
7 Tips for Spring Cleaning
1. Make a plan
Make a list of areas or items that need cleaning, then make a schedule for each task. If you have helpers, assign tasks according to each person’s strengths. Limit each task to one hour, and don’t forget to schedule breaks. This will help you manage your time more efficiently and prevent you from getting overwhelmed or worn out too quickly.
Additionally, make a list of any cleaning supplies you will need. Check to make sure you have plenty of supplies in stock before getting started, because you may lose momentum and motivation if you have to take a trip to the store.
2. Declutter
Clear off all surfaces before you start cleaning them. For large or decorative items, dust them off before setting them aside. All other loose items should be put away in their proper storage place.
Doing this will make the actual cleaning process faster and easier. Plus, if you find that you do not have enough storage space for everything, you may decide to sell or donate those extra unwanted items.
3. Organize as you go
Since you have to move items around during the cleaning process, try to organize them as you put them back. Some places that often need organization are the refrigerator, pantry, cabinets, and closets.
Try organizing items by purpose or category, then assign each category to a permanent spot so that you can always find what you need. It also helps to use storage containers, labels, and extra shelving so that your things don’t get jumbled. While you organize, don’t be afraid to get rid of clothes, beauty products, toys, and supplies that rarely get used.
4. Turn on some entertainment
Cleaning can be pretty boring. Instead of scrubbing away in silence, turn on some music, a podcast, or an audiobook. Avoid turning on the TV, since visual entertainment may distract you from your tasks and prolong the process. However, audio entertainment can give your brain something to focus on and pass the time. If you listen to something you really enjoy, you may even find the cleaning itself more enjoyable.
5. Pay attention to the details
Let’s face it, there are certain places that you never clean. Whether it be the light switches, vents, door knobs, ceiling fans, cabinet handles, or baseboards, you probably have a few areas that typically get overlooked. During your spring cleaning, try not to skip over the small details. This should include your appliances, curtains, and mattresses as well.
It is especially important to clean places that get touched often, or areas where dust accumulates. Cleaning and disinfecting these can help get rid of germs and air pollutants that may be harmful to your health.
6. Clean in a specific order
Another helpful cleaning tip to get everything as clean as possible is to follow a specific order. First, wipe away any grime stuck to the surface. Next, remove all dust and hair with a damp microfiber cloth. Then, thoroughly wash the surface with your cleaning solution. The last step is to disinfect in order to kill any lingering bacteria.
Also, as you clean throughout your home, try to go from top to bottom. For example, don’t sweep before cleaning your countertops, since doing so could just dirty up the floors again, making extra work for you.
7. Improve indoor air quality
The number one way to keep your indoor air clean and keep dust at bay is to change your air filters regularly. Air filters are commonly made to last around 30 days. However, if you have pets, or if you live in an area with lots of pollen, you may want to change them more often.
Additionally, you may want to switch your cleaning products to those with natural ingredients, like distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Spring cleaning may be doing more harm than good if you are spreading chemicals all around your home.
Happy Cleaning!
Now that you have seven great tips to get started, spring cleaning should be a breeze! Just remember to take breaks so that you do not get burned out.
Here at Sheridan Solomon and Associates, we know the importance of having a clean house, especially if you are thinking of selling. In fact, deep cleaning is one of the first steps to take before putting your home on the market. This is because potential buyers will find your house more appealing if it seems well-maintained.
If you are interested in more home tips, whether it be cleaning, decorating, or preparing for a real estate transaction, check out our other blog posts on our website.
Thinking about buying or selling here in Middle Georgia? We can connect with you one of our local experienced agents to help you through the process from start to finish. Just give us a call at (478) 746-2000, or go to the Contact page on our website, www.sheridansolomon.com.