The beginning of a new year is a great time to get rid of the clutter in your home and get it looking new again. All across the nation, people have put away their Christmas decor and picked up their broom for deep cleaning. In fact, it’s such a common theme, that desire to start the new year fresh, that we refer to the act of deep cleaning during this time as ‘spring cleaning’.
Here are some (early) spring cleaning tips to get your house in tiptop shape for the new year.
- Dust everything. Shelves, books, tables, pictures, corners, ceilings, doors, everything. Then vacuum all the dust that you swept onto the floor. Dust particles can accumulate anywhere and may contribute to that tickling feeling in your nose.
- Clean top to bottom. As you clean, the dust will settle downward, so start at the top of the room (ceiling fans, light fixtures, blinds, window treatments and work your way down to the floor. You don’t want to knock dust or dirt onto a clean table or floor.
- Clean upholstery and carpets according to their care instructions. Many cushions can be cleaned with the upholstery tool attachments from the vacuum and most rugs can be washed with a shampoo machine. Slipcovers may be able to be washed in a washing machine.
- Flip mattresses. Flipping your mattress allows it to wear evenly, and actually adds years to its life.
- Add sachets to drawers. Dryer sheets or hotel bar soaps (still wrapped) will work, but if you have the time, adding herb packets, dried flower petals or dried fruit rinds are a sweet addition to any drawer.
- Clean all blankets, sheets, pillows, and comforters. If you find stains, sometimes just putting the stained item outside in the sun will remove the stain — the sun is a powerful bleaching agent.
- Discard all expired food in your pantry, as well as beauty products and cosmetics that are out of date. Any cosmetics over 6 months old should go.
- Give refrigerators, freezers, pantries, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks a thorough cleaning. If your freezer requires routine defrosting, now is a great time to do it!
- Clean your oven. Don’t forget the toaster oven (and toaster).
- Soak your shower head in vinegar if it seems clogged.
- Clean out the closet and dresser drawers. Donate unwanted clothing and organize what’s left. If a drawer is too full to shut, you need to prune it again.
- Clear the clutter out of the attic or basement and donate unwanted items.
- Scrub fences, patios, driveways, porches, walkways, decks, and any outdoor furniture. Don’t be afraid to bleach concrete. Take care with a pressure washer — they can remove paint as well as dirt!
Take the time to go through your house and see what you think needs improvement. Then set aside a day or two to wash, dust, clean, get rid of, and clear the clutter with these home organization tips. A good spring cleaning may take a week or better, but the result is so worth it.
So go ahead, get cleaning!
