It’s been a long winter here in New England, and even though it’s only hitting the high 40’s, people are already driving around with their windows down and no jacket! I know the cabin fever and nicer weather combine to make us itchy for some spring cleaning, so here are some tips for you:
- Plan ahead: What do you want to do in each room? Make a list! Do you have the right supplies? Get them beforehand so you don’t have to break your cleaning groove to buy more trash bags.
- Prioritize: I know when the spring cleaning bug hits, we want to clean every square inch of our homes, but for many of us, we just don’t have that much time. So prioritize what is most important to you (again, make a list) and book it in your calendar. Also, you may be tempted to start decluttering/reorganizing the room as you are cleaning, but I urge you to make a list for later, and focus on the cleaning for now.
- Top-to-bottom: When possible, start at the top of the room and work your way down, so dust bunnies from the ceiling fan don’t float down over your freshly-dusted entertainment center.
- Safety: Use a stepladder instead of trying to balance on a chair when cleaning in high places. Read the labels of your cleaners to be sure you aren’t inadvertently mixing bleach and ammonia, or other dangerous combinations. Ventilate properly if you are using strong chemicals, and keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
- Enlist help: Spring cleaning can be an exhausting (but satisfying) project. Play your favorite upbeat/cleaning music, and get your family to help out. Even young children can do simple tasks, like wiping baseboards with a damp cloth (no chemical cleaners until they are old enough to use them properly!).
- Have fun: It may sound corny, but try to take a zen-like approach to the process to make it more satisfying and fun. You are caring for your possessions and surroundings, and ultimately blessing your family and yourself with the results!
Share your additional tips in the comments section below, and happy cleaning!
