8 Tips for Spring cleaning! Spring is here! Spring brings about a feeling of wanting to start fresh for the new season. It brings about a feeling of freshness and that is what I want to feel inside my home and out.

“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.” -Algernon Charles Swinburne

8 Tips for Spring Cleaning

1. Make a schedule.

Take a minute to take in every room of your home. Think about the places that you tend to skip during your routine cleaning and then write you out a plan. Give yourself a day for each room, or if the rooms are smaller and won’t take as much time, do one room in the morning and one in the afternoon. I usually always give myself a full day for the playroom and kitchen because those are usually more detailed than our bedrooms.

However, you decide to set up your schedule, I promise having a schedule will help keep you focused and help you feel less overwhelmed. I know that seeing a written schedule for me also makes me feel like a big task is doable if you break it down in small increments. Plus, I always like to mark off what I get done each day. I always feel accomplished!

2. Declutter

For me, I like to start with decluttering each room before I start the actual cleaning. Decluttering helps you feel organized and when you have less stuff you feel lighter. Not to mention, clutter has a psychological effect. Studies have shown that a cluttered (overwhelmed) home adds to your stress level. This is an older article but contains some great information about clutter and stress. Click here to read more.

Set aside time to organize closets, workspaces, desks, and that dreaded junk drawer (admit it, we all have one!) You can click here for a post that I recently wrote with more tips on how to declutter your home.

3. Start from the top and work your way down.

It is best to start from the top and work your way down. This keeps you from having to re-dust. Think about it, the dust from your walls and ceiling fan blades will just fall down to the floor and furniture and you will have to clean them all over again. If you have an extension on your vacuum, it is a great tool for cleaning your hard to reach walls and corners.

Clean your windows with a rag and soapy water. Then dry them with another rag to avoid streaks, or you can purchase a squeegee at an auto store. Curtains can be tossed with a damp rag to draw off the dust and then rehang.

4. Tackle the kitchen and bathrooms.

I will be the first to admit cleaning bathrooms is one of my least favorites chores! And I know that I am not alone!

Bathroom Tips

You can wash vinyl or plastic shower curtains in your wash machine, but I like to just buy a new one if it is particularly bad. My husband taught me an awesome tip to clean those nasty drains. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour this mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes. Then run hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds.

To clean off nasty lime buildup around the faucets, place paper towels soaked with vinegar and let it soak for about an hour. This loosens the grime and makes it easier to scrub off.

Kitchen Tips

I like to use a combination of salt and soda water to clean the refrigerator. Wipe down your cabinets. Use a lemon to scrub off your cutting boards, if you need a little extra zing you can sprinkle with baking soda first. This helps remove stains and smells.

If you have stainless steel appliances, make sure you use a gentle cleaner or steamer so that you don’t scratch the surfaces.

5. Don’t forget about your furniture.

I like to move my furniture around a bit and vacuum behind and underneath them. If you have large room rugs, I like to move them and vacuum under them. A lot of vacuum cleaners have great attachments to help you vacuum your furniture and get in the crevices where my kids like to get all sorts of crumbs!

Use the same attachment to vacuum your mattresses. You can spot clean with a fabric cleaner and then spray them down with a disinfectant spray before putting the bedding back on.

6. Remember your day to day items.

Make sure to go through your make-up and make-up brushes. Check expiration dates. While cleaning the kitchen, go through the refrigerator and pantry, get rid of food that is expired and maybe donate any small appliances you might not use anymore. For example, I have a quesadilla maker that I never use, I plan on donating it this year because it just takes up extra space.

Don’t forget to clean appliances like your microwave, oven, wash machine, and dishwasher. Most newer wash machines have a self-cleaning cycle. If yours doesn’t pour in some bleach and run a hot water cycle. Built-up lint in the dryer causes so many fires each year. I clean out my lint daily, but I try to pull out a small attachment on my vacuum to vacuum out the lint that falls down into the dryer at least once a month.

I also take the time to clean my children’s toys during deep Spring cleaning. Disinfectant sprays, soaking in a bath of vinegar, or running some toys through the dishwasher on a gentle cycle are quick and easy ways to clean up toys.

7. Don’t forget your outside areas.

Back porches, front porches, welcome mats, etc…need a little TLC too. I use two doormats for trapping extra dirt and childhood yuckiness. One on the outside and one on the inside. I hose off outside mats and vacuum indoor mats.

Clean off outdoor furniture with some warm soap and water. I also like to sweep and wash off the patio.

My last few tips for Spring cleaning:

Allow Spring cleaning to set a new tone for your home. If your home is feeling dark, you can add pops of color with new colorful pillows or changing out some wall decor for colorful art pieces.

Take this time to change out towels, bedding, window treatment, or table linens to add more color for Spring. I like to change out some of my rugs in the living room and kitchen. Or change out my decorations that are sitting on my fireplace.

I hope you have enjoyed my 8 tips for Spring cleaning. I always feel so much better once I get it done. One other tip that works for me, if I am not motivated to clean I watch an episode of Hoarders and it always puts me in the mood. Hey, whatever works!!

Happy Spring Cleaning, my friends!!!

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31