The weather here in Phoenixville has been making it hard to believe spring is really here to stay, but the calendar says it’s time to open up the windows and scrub the floors. Spring cleaning is never fun, but getting it done now before beach weather sets in makes it much easier to enjoy the good weather once it arrives and stays.
If you’re like me and hate spring cleaning, it can be easy to put it off and end up having to waste a perfect sunny day cleaning the house. But with a few easy spring cleaning tips, you can stop dreading the chore and just get it done.
Get the right tools for the job. No matter whether you are using vinegar and baking soda or the latest chemical-laden cleaning product promising to erase hard water stains and soap scum while making you a gourmet dinner, cleaning is just easier if you have the right tools. For me, that means stocking up on magic erasers, scrub brushes and lint-free dust clothes. But those might not be the right tools for you.
Take a quick look around the house and make a list of the things you need to make cleaning easier. Bring in the step ladder that you need to reach the ceiling fans and tall cupboards. Grab a pair of rubber gloves or a new toilet brush. Whatever it is that you need to do the job right, gather them together before you start cleaning. If you run out of cleaning supplies half-way through the house, running to the store to get more becomes a great reason not to finish. Being prepared makes it more likely you’ll get the work done.
Make a list of what you want done. Many times spring cleaning doesn’t get done because it seems overwhelming. If you put clean the deck, wash the grill, clean the carpets, organize the closets and wash the windows all on your spring cleaning list, chances are you’ll be exhausted by the time you finish writing the list. Instead, pick one thing you really want to concentrate on and focus. Some people prefer to do the whole house in one day, but even then, you’ll be more motivated if you see things getting accomplished. Finish one room before moving on to the next one.
Clean top to bottom. Okay, that seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t get it. Use a dust mop or broom to get cobwebs out of the corners or dust of the ceiling fan before you dust the book shelves. Pick up things and put them away before you dust, but dust before you vacuum. It can be tempting to save all the floors until the rest of the house is done, but if you do them one room at a time, you can feel like you’ve accomplished many things through the day.
Get rid of the excess stuff. You’re probably not a hoarder, but if you’re like me, there’s always a few things that need to be gotten rid of. Maybe it’s those coupons you clipped and didn’t use, the takeout menu from the place you never eat, or the sweater you bought and then hated. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to go through the house and get rid of stuff that is simply cluttering up the place. If you aren’t sure if you will need it, put it in a box, label the box and then put the box away. Just getting stuff out of sight will help you feel better about your spring cleaning immediately!