Spring Cleaning Tips

If this is your first Spring as a home owner, or you are returning to your vacation home after spending half a year away, or maybe you have just never given your humble abode a deep clean, you may not know where to start. Sure, you keep up with basic clean routine – vacuum when company comes over, mop when there is a spill in the kitchen, change the AC filters on the regular – but when it comes to anything beyond that, if cleanliness is next to godliness, you are definitely mortal. Well, get ready for a transformation of Herculean proportions! Use the tips below to tackle your spring cleaning, and you will go from zero to hero before you can remember how to spell, “vacuum.”

Out with the Old

When it comes time to begin your foray into spring cleaning, why waste time cleaning things you do not even want? Before you pick up a mop or slip on those gloves, go through as much as you can – clothes, accessories, books, food in the pantry, you name it. Sometimes, making piles can make this process the most efficient. Have one pile for things you intend to keep where they were, another pile for things you want to hold onto but store somewhere else, and a third for things you will throw away. Go into this with a critical eye. Shirts that have not been worn in over a year will most likely never be worn this year (or the years after that). Free up the closet space and donate those items. If your bookshelf has been abandoned since your e-reader came into your life, consider donating the hardcopies of the books you now have digitally. Decluttering your home can sometimes feel just as rewarding as a deep clean.

Cleaners, Assemble

Once all the clutter is gone, it is time to assemble your grime fighting team. Your cleaning ability is only as good as your supplies. If you are starting from scratch, you may be overwhelmed by the selection of the cleaning supplies aisle at your local store. You can’t go wrong with the basics: rubber gloves, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, carpet spot cleaner, a sponge, and a duster. While you are there, buy a small caddy so you can easily transport the supplies from one room to another.

If you are really starting from scratch, make sure to also pick up a mop, broom, and vacuum. The first two are relatively no brainers, but purchasing a vacuum can be more daunting. There are so many variations and features that it be hard to know what to buy. This is an investment, so it is important to get what you need – not just what is trendy. As a general rule, bagless models are best. Models with bags are more difficult to clean, and once the bag is full, they stop suction and airflow. Spinning brushes provide a deeper clean for rugs and carpets. Air watts are also an important indicator – anything above 200 air watts will have good suction.

Gotta Keep ‘Em Separated

Think of spring cleaning as a marathon, not a sprint. There is a reason this is only done once a year. If you attempt to work on every room all in one day, or work on little bits and pieces of every room, you will probably not clean as thoroughly as you intended, or worse, you won’t finish at all. Do not be afraid to have your spring cleaning take more than one day, and focus on one room at a time. This applies to the declutter phase, too. Start on one side of the house, perhaps the master bedroom, and slowly make your way to the other side. Some rooms will take most of an afternoon, and others will come together quite quickly, but just commit finishing the room you are in before heading on to the next.

A for Effort

As mentioned above, this is something you should only have to do once a year, if you do it right. Like so many things in life, what you put into it is what you will get out of it. Lots of effort = super clean house. This process is not the same as quickly tiding up before loved ones stop by. You are deep cleaning, and that means going above and beyond vacuuming around table legs and mopping only a spill. Consider all the nooks and crannies – windowsill tracks, couch cushions, and toilet surrounds to name a few. Don’t just sweep or dust around objects; move them aside and really clean each surface. Think of little things that collect a lot of grime (remote controls, microwave keypads, fridge handles, doorknobs) and scrub those clean as well. Disinfectant wipes are typically best for this purpose.

A Bit Chilly

Hopefully, in the declutter phase, you went through the fridge and tossed out all the expired goods. If not, now is the time. Condiments are usually the big offender here, as most people chuck bad food or liquids on the regular, but don’t check the date on the ketchup bottle. Make sure to go through the freezer, as well. Once everything that is either expired or you simply will not eat/use has been tossed in the garbage, time to slip on those gloves and get to work. Remove as many drawers and shelves as you can and give them a good scrub with soap and warm water. Anything that cannot be removed should be wiped down with a water-vinegar solution. After everything has been de-gunked, put the fridge back together and get to organizing what you have kept. Condiments should go in the door, as it is the least cold spot of the fridge. Produce goes in the lower drawers, where the highest humidity can be found. Anything perishable (milk, eggs) goes on the middle shelf. It is the coldest spot in the fridge.

Splash of Color

Once the mean clean is complete, you can stop there or you can go one step further and add some extra life to your abode. Set up plants in the corner of a room. Place a bouquet of flowers on the dining room table. Hang up some new décor on those freshly washed walls. Adding in these little pops of plant life and color can help brighten you room and prepare you for the new season ahead.

At GCD, we share the pride you feel for your new home. Don’t let dust and grime replace that feeling with an atmosphere that’s more drab than fab. Using the tips above, your home will be back to its light and shiny former self in no time. You might even find cleaning to be a great personal stress reliever, and vow to keep up with the regular mopping and dusting better this year. Anything helps make next year’s spring cleaning a little easier!