Keep it Clean

The practice of spring cleaning is especially prevalent in climates with a cold winter. The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring. Historically it would involve families cleaning every square inch of a home. Today’s spring cleaning may not be as involved, but there are a few tasks that can be performed seasonally in your home.

1. Storing Seasonal Clothing

When warmer spring weather arrives, it’s time to pack away sweaters, coats, and other cold weather clothing. Storing seasonal clothing is easy to do safely if you follow a few simple rules. Making sure that the storage containers and areas follow the rules of clean, cool, dark, and dry will keep clothing in good shape for next winter.

2. Check Appliances

We expect our appliances to perform whenever we need them, but sometimes their care can be neglected. Each spring take the time to inspect your major appliances for wear and tear. The coils of the refrigerator should be vacuumed, and the drain pan should be cleaned out. Accumulated lint needs to be cleaned from the dryer vents. Clean out accumulated gunk from your oven and refrigerator. Clean dishwashers, disposals, and washing machines. Heating and cooling units need maintenance as well.

3. Clutter Control

Spring is the perfect time to remove clutter and excess from the home. Try the four container clutter method to help figure out items that need to be kept, sold, given away, or thrown away. If paper clutter is one of your problems, find out how to reduce paper piles around the home. You’ll see a huge difference in how easy it is to clean your home after you’ve reduced your clutter.

4. Garage Storage

It may be a little daunting, but chances are your garage could use some attention this spring. Whether you need to organise a garage cleanup day or just need to remove a few items to be used in a garage sale, it makes sense to pay a little attention to your garage this spring. Try some new organisational tools or techniques to store sports equipment, Christmas decorations, or whatever your family hides in your garage space. Take advantage of the nicer weather to remove items from your garage and send them on their way. Use rewards to help bribe your familyinto helping out.

5. Patios and Outdoor Areas

Spring is a great time to get the outdoors ready for entertaining. Clean the patio and outdoor furniture. Do some basic landscaping repairs on the lawn, shrubbery, and plants. The exterior doors and windows of the home may need some attention. Check for fence and exterior repairs. Lawn maintenance or pest prevention may need to be performed as well. Don’t forget that outdoor cleaning projects are great to involve the whole family. With a little effort this spring, outdoor areas will be ready to entertain throughout the summer.

6. Curtains and Blinds

Spring is a great time to inspect and clean curtains and blinds. Whether you need to wash blinds, send curtains to the dry cleaners, or throw washable curtains into the washing machine, getting your curtains and blinds clean after a long winter can brighten an entire room. Be sure to dust down the window casing, wash window sills, and clean any window hardware while you are at it. Follow manufacturer’s instructions, and your entire room will feel brighter and fresher.

7. Beds and Bedding

Even with mattress covers, and all of our bedding, mattresses occasionally need to be inspected and cleaned, and in some cases flipped. Use this time to inspect your mattress pads, pillow covers, and all bedding for needed replacement or repairs. Use these tips to spot clean and repair or take the plunge and shop for new beds and bedding.