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It is getting to be that time of year again. The weeks of hibernating at home and hunkering down for the winter are almost over. As the days are getting longer and we start to yearn for the fresh breath of spring, it is also time to start thinking about a breath of fresh air in your home as well.
Spring cleaning can be one of the most rewarding ways to prepare for warmer weather. Getting rid of clutter that has built up and deep cleaning your home is a great way to feel lighter and more relaxed going into the warmer summer months. Doing so could even provide health benefits to you and your family.
Of course, the hard part of any home deep cleaning is getting started. Determining the big tasks you’d like to accomplish and getting the motivation to take them on can be challenging. Following some easy tips that will make the biggest difference in your home can get you going on it!
Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning
It may come as a surprise, but that lighter, joyful feeling you get when you’ve accomplished a successful round of spring clean might be more than a feeling of triumph. Rather, it could be a small mental health boost that you’re experiencing. That’s right, cleaning is linked to better mental health; clutter can lead to decreased focus, increased stress and tension, and a feeling of losing control over your environment.
Spring cleaning can also do a lot to benefit your physical health as well. Making time to clean things like ceiling fans, blinds, and upper shelving that don’t get used much can reduce dust and pests in your home. Likewise, cleaning out spaces like the refrigerator, bedding, and shower can prevent bacteria growth that could make you and your family sick.
In addition, taking time to deep clean your home in the spring can also lessen the impact of seasonal allergies. A clean, dust-free house can make it easier to breathe which can ultimately help the immune system fight off allergens more effectively. Things such as dusting, vacuuming, and washing furniture like couch pillows can make a huge difference here.
Deep Cleaning Tips
Spring can be a great time to tackle the big cleaning projects that may not be done at any other time of the year. This can include dragging out the ladder for clean rafters and other high places in the home, shampooing the carpets, refinishing doorknobs, or washing windows and blinds throughout the entire home. The real question though is, where does one start?
The first trick to successfully deep cleaning your home is to start at the top. Starting at the top ensures that any dust or debris that you knock off will float down to the next level. It sucks to clean the floors only to have to turn around and clean them again after wiping down the counters. Pick the highest point in your home that you want to clean and start there. How long has it been since the light fixtures were wiped off anyways?
Other tips for deep cleaning your home includes things like:
- Doormats: do the inside mats by vacuuming the front and back — doing the back will push dust onto the floor where it’s easier to pick up.
- Blinds: after cleaning blinds with a microfiber cloth, run a dryer sheet over them — this will increase static which will reduce the rate of dust accumulation
- Sink: sprinkle coarse salt in the sink then cut a lemon in half and scrub the sink and other stainless steel in the home — this can naturally bring the sparkle back
- Oven: create a cleaning solution using baking soda and warm water and rub throughout the oven. Let the solution sit overnight then wipe off — this will remove the grime without the harsh chemicals
- Showerhead: fill a baggy with white vinegar and fasten over the showerhead using a rubber band, leave overnight and then remove — never underestimate the power of vinegar for removing hard water stains
Decluttering Tricks
If you are deep cleaning as part of your spring activities, chances are you are also working on decluttering your home as well. There are a lot of great ways to begin this process, but no matter how you hack it, you’ll need a box for donations. As you pull things out of drawers and reorganize them, assess whether or not they might be something that you could live without. If so, add it to the box, and at the end of your spring cleaning, you will have an organized way to take unwanted things to a donation center.
Decluttering the things you intend to keep in the space that you have can mean finding ways to better organize. Doing so can help you to utilize your space more effectively and feel more organized in life in general. One easy way to do this is by moving winter clothing out of your closet into a storage area until they’re needed again.
You may also find that decluttering areas that you look at every day, like the dishware cupboards, bookshelves, and the junk drawer can also make a big difference. Even just moving things around and putting them in new locations can help you clean and feel more organized.
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Spring cleaning is an annual ritual that can help all of us feel ready for the warmer weather coming our way. Not only that, but it can provide physical and mental health benefits. Following tips and tricks to deep clean and declutter can be a great way to make you feel accomplished and get more done in a shorter amount of time. Good luck!
