In the spring months, many of us may find ourselves in a funk. Summer is looming around the corner, but not quite here. Life tends to get beyond busy as it’s the thick of the end-of-the-school-year season and springtime events seem constant.
Luckily, there are plenty of things we can do to remedy the stress. An easy and effective way to start is with a bit of spring cleaning!
While your life may feel messy, your house doesn’t have to. Studies have found a clean house can improve its tenants' mental health (a clutter-free and organized home is a great serotonin booster!).
It has also been found that a clean home can make you more focused and productive. So grab your brooms and get ready for the best ways to get your house springtime ready!
Decluttering 101
First and foremost, declutter.
Pick the place you tend to put off the most when cleaning or organizing and start there. Start going through things and placing them into three piles: keep pile, donate pile, and trash pile. Follow the one-year rule and get rid of any clothes or items you haven’t worn or used in a year or longer.
Whether you’re going through the kitchen or your closet this will instantly open up some space and give the area a more polished feel. Once you’ve finished, make sure you’re only throwing out broken or non-usable items. Pay it forward and donate the rest to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any local shelters or organizations.
Container cleaning
Once the decluttering portion is out of the way, it's time to get focused! This is where some organizational skills come into play. If these aren't skills you naturally possess, don’t worry; we will make it as simple as possible.
Either hop on Amazon or run to your local Container Store and check out the organization tools they carry. If you are working with a smaller closet, some great options are multiple-tier hangers or extendable clothing hangers. These are great tools to utilize hanging space and won't break the bank.
If you are looking to organize shoes, but don't want to take up extra space with a bulky shoe rack, invest in an over-the-door rack that you can simply attach to your closet door.
After picking up the messy parts of the house, move on to cleaning the dirty parts. Now that spring is here, it's time to tackle the remains of winter. If your home is carpeted or has rugs, it may still be holding dirt and mud from the snow and rain. Professional carpet cleaners can cost hundreds of dollars, whereas some baking soda is just a few bucks at the local grocery store.
Start by giving all of your carpets a once-over with your vacuum. Once you can spot any stains or spots, simply sprinkle a bit of baking soda, then spray the area with an equal parts water and vinegar mixture. Let the mixture sit for at least an hour or more depending on the size and depth of the stain. Then wipe away the liquid with a rag or sponge.
If any stains carry an odor or you want to avoid a vinegar scent, throw a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the mixture for a touch of freshness! If this doesn't quite do the trick, purchase a carpet cleaner spray. Some with the highest ratings and lowest prices include the Resolve spray and the Folex brand spray. Take these same steps for any couch or cloth furniture stains!
Grime be gone
Be sure to give other parts of your home some love too! The kitchen especially can get grimy over time, so make sure to prioritize its appliances. An easy way to tackle the oven is to remove your oven shelves and de-grease them with some soapy water. Dawn dish spray is a great option to use to spray down the racks, and then simply scrub them with a rough sponge and water to get any food or grease off.
Do the same to your actual oven, especially the bottom to clean up any old drippings. To get your oven extra clean, see if it has a self-cleaning feature and use it. Be sure to do this after cleaning up any grease though – setting a fire is definitely not the best way to get spring started! Once this process has burnt off any last remains, give it one last wipe down, and it should be good to go. For some extra sparkle, if your ovens (or any other appliances) are stainless steel, polish up the outside with a little bit of olive oil for some added shine.
One more wash
Once your house is feeling a little more spick and span, end your spring cleaning by freshening up some of the items we tend to forget about. Go through the house and grab all of the bathmats and throw them in the wash. If they have rubber backs hang them up to air dry, otherwise toss them in the dryer.
Remember, most bed pillows can also be washed in your washing machine if they are feather-filled. Pillows collect oils, dust, and mites so be sure they make it into the spring cleaning mix. Just be sure to dry them all the way to avoid any mildew smells.
Do the same process with any mattress toppers, too. Check the tags to see if they are machine washable, and if so run them on a gentle cycle. If they are not, you can always clean them with baking soda or a cleaning solution similar to the carpet cleaning process.
Lastly, while they aren't exactly household items, wash your makeup brushes and sponges! This is an easy-to-forget cleaning step, but oh so important. To avoid bacteria buildup that can lead to breakouts and rashes, you should be washing your brushes and sponges with warm water and a gentle cleanser every couple of weeks.
Enjoy the fruits of your toil!
Now that your house is fresh and cozy, the last step is to grab your favorite beverage, take a seat on your clean couch, and prop your feet up. You’ve earned it!
These easy cleaning tips and tricks are a wonderful way to feel a little more prepared to take on the spring craziness and hopefully relieve a little bit of stress. Good luck and happy spring cleaning!