As winter hibernation ends and temperatures begin to warm, the urge to spring clean may be on your mind. Spring brings fresh air, so let’s shake off the coziness of winter, open those windows, and take this opportunity to freshen up your home!

Spring cleaning can seem like quite the task, but by following these steps, you will be ready to tackle it like a pro!

Plan It Out

You know your home best, so certain tasks will likely come to mind immediately. Scrub the shower, dust the ceiling fan, wipe down the counters; But don’t jump up and start just yet! Take a moment to plan it out by writing every room in your home on a sheet of paper. Walk around your home and write down tasks for each room.

Spring cleaning tasks may include:

• Wipe down baseboards

• Clean fan blades

• Dust blinds

• Wipe and disinfect light switches, sockets

• Floor care: Sweep, mop, and vacuum

• Wipe down cabinets and drawers

• Clean all appliances: Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave, and Dishwasher

• Scrub bathroom fixtures

Schedule It

A common failure with spring cleaning is trying to fit it into your schedule, but that can lead to tasks being put off or worse, abandoned. Start with rooms may not love to clean, like bathrooms or the kitchen. Look at your schedule and plan out which days you plan to tackle each room. Add it to your calendar like an appointment and stick to it! You will be so grateful you did when you’re sitting in your fresh, clean apartment!

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Lean Into Your Cleaning Style

You may love to clean, or maybe you need a little more motivation. Never fear, because there are ways to make it fun and enjoyable! Love music? Find an upbeat cleaning playlist or make one yourself! Love rewards? Work small rewards like getting ice cream or treating yourself after each room you complete! Love breaks? This can be a perfect opportunity to take a walk around your community or visit the dog park if you have a pet!

Photo courtesy of Camden Lakeway

Now that we’ve planned what, when, and how to tackle our spring cleaning, let’s jump into some helpful tips and tricks!

Start by Decluttering

With the busyness of the holiday season behind us, this may be the first time you’ve had a moment to take a breath and look around your home, likely to find clutter from the previous year! Throughout the year, you may find yourself tucking miscellaneous items away in a box here, a drawer there; a problem for another day!

But over time, these items can begin to make your home feel cramped and cluttered. Decluttering your home is a big step to begin freshening up, making your home feel more spacious, and setting the stage for successful spring cleaning.

Begin your Spring cleaning journey by decluttering one room at a time. Start with the visible area, clearing counters, tables, and floors. Next, move on to hidden areas like closets, cabinets, drawers, and anywhere else items may be tucked away. The easiest way to accomplish this is to pick up an item and categorize it into one of the following categories:

• Keep: Find a home for it and put it away.

• Trash: Have several trash bags on hand for items you’re letting go.

• Donate: Have a donations box or bag at the ready for gently loved items that still have life in them.

• Storage: Have at least one box or storage bin available for items you plan to keep but can be packed away.

Unsure about what to do with a particular item? Think about how often you use this item and whether it still fits. If the answer is no, let it go!

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Stock Up

Once the decluttering is done, we’re halfway there! Now it’s time to clean. Make sure you have the cleaning supplies you prefer to tackle the project. Common supplies you may need include all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, broom, mop, vacuum, microfiber cloths, etc. Consider swapping for sustainable cleaning products where possible.

Let’s Start Cleaning!

You’ve made a schedule, so now let’s get to it! Check out these Spring cleaning hacks to keep your home sparkling:

• Dust Repellent: After wiping down your baseboards, go back around with a dryer sheet. This will help to repel dust from your baseboards over time. This trick also works on window blinds, ceiling fan blades, light switches, and electrical sockets. It won’t last forever, but it will buy you some time until the next clean is needed!

• Pillowcase Dusting: For ceiling blades, use a pillowcase to minimize dust fallout. Maneuver the opening of the pillowcase over the blade, then hold the pillowcase closed around the blade while sliding it toward the end. The dust will collect inside of the pillowcase instead of on your floors!

Photo courtesy of Pexel

With a little planning and determination, you’ll be sitting in your fresh, clean home in no time! Interested in learning more tips and tricks to help keep your home sparkling year round? The Simply Camden blog is here to help!