Well, it’s finally time to crawl out from under your fuzzy no-sew blanket, kiss hibernation goodbye, and welcome all things spring. We’re talking flowers, sunshine, and the end of winter whiteness. But before you start working on your tan, you might as well get spring cleaning out of the way (yeah… we hate it, too). Spring cleaning is part organization, part deep cleaning and 100% boring, but we have a few tips to make it a little less painful.
Declutter Like A Boss
Clearing out the clutter in your home can feel next to impossible. Where did all this stuff come from, anyway?! Go room to room and look at every item. If you haven’t used it or worn it in over a year, toss it. Let’s face it: those acid-washed jeans aren’t getting worn and you’ll never get around to reading your old issues of Better Homes & Gardens.
If you’re feeling extra inspired, Marie Kondo seems to have it all figured out with the basics of her KonMari method. She claims decluttering can even result in clearer skin and weight loss… we make no promises, but it’s worth a shot!
Get Creative with Organization
After you’ve decluttered, you have to decide how to organize the stuff you’re keeping. There are literally hundreds of options, but choosing a few to tackle while you’re in cleaning mode can add some much-needed organization to your plan.
Here are a few great ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
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Find a way to hang your gardening supplies up in the garage.
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Use a tote or bucket to keep all of your cleaning supplies in one place.
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Add cubbies to the kids’ playroom to keep toys off the floor.
Clean Out The Fridge
Now let’s head to the fridge and trash anything that doesn’t inspire hunger, too. That Pad Thai from two weeks ago is just going to keep getting leftover, and expired foods should have a date with the garbage. Once you’ve freshened everything up, check out our advice on how to deep clean the inside of your fridge.
Helpful tip: don’t toss to-go condiments if they’re still good. You can always organize them in little sandwich bags and pack them in your work lunches. You can also combine condiments to cut-down on fridge clutter. (Do you really need three bottles of half-used ketchup in there?)
Baking Soda and Vinegar: A Dynamic Cleaning Duo
Forget the latest As Seen On TV miracle cleaner. Combining baking soda and vinegar creates a cleaning combo that has a million uses. You can use it to unclog a gross drain or clean up the burnt pieces of once-delicious cheese from the inside of your oven. It can even be used to take on stains.
Just be sure to check here for the right ratios so you don’t end up with a homemade volcanic explosion that will leave you with an even bigger mess! For clearing drains, a 1:1 ratio works well. You’ll want to dilute the mixture a bit for other household surfaces, and add in a few other ingredients like ammonia or dish soap.
Make Your Own Window Cleaner
When you have to stay inside to beat those spring allergy blues, you at least deserve to have a clear view outside. All it takes to show your windows some love is a little eco-friendly, DIY glass cleaner. Here’s what you’ll need:
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¼ cup white vinegar
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¼ cup rubbing alcohol
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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2 cups water
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8-10 drops essential oil (if you want to add a little fragrance)
Put it in a spray bottle, shake it up, and spray away. You can also use it to clean your TV or laptop screen so you don’t have to binge The Office for the 15th time through a blurry haze.
Happy cleaning!
