There is something magical about spring's arrival, and it's less than a week away. Being outside, hiking, gardening or just chatting with a neighbour can energize and motivate you to start your spring cleaning. Here are some spring-cleaning chores to get you started.
Decluttering decisions
Most people will agree that a less cluttered home is easier to clean and maintain. The tools you need are simple and you probably already have them in your home. Get a few sturdy garbage bags and a couple of boxes from the grocery store.
Take a walk throughout your home. Start by clearing garbage, broken, rusty and unusable things. You can start with a kitchen. Dispose of the old and broken appliances, chipped dishes and dated food in your cupboards. Your next room to clear can be your living room, bedroom or bathroom. The decluttering procedure is always the same.
After you finish decluttering your house, now is the time to clean and test the strength of your elbow grease. Consider natural cleaning agents that will sanitize your home and make it sparkling clean.
Start at the top
Get rid of cobwebs on your ceiling and walls. Clean your walls from stains and your kid’s masterpieces. The baseboards can accumulate a lot of dust and dirt not always visible or a priority to clean. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth or a duster can easily refresh these often-forgotten areas.
Vent covers
Another area that we tend to neglect is vent covers. If clogged up, the air quality can negatively affect your health and the effectiveness of your HVAC system. Remove vent covers and vacuum or wash them with soap and water to improve airflow and reduce allergens in your home.
Behind appliances
Because it's a physically demanding chore to remove the appliances, we tend to ignore it. Dust, crumbs, and pet hair often accumulate behind large appliances like refrigerators and stoves. Every three months, move these appliances away from the wall and vacuum the area to remove debris and prevent potential pest infestations.
Window tracks
Dirt, bugs and grime can build up in the tracks of windows, affecting their functionality and appearance. Use a vacuum with a crevice attachment to loosen and remove debris. Then wipe down the tracks with a damp cloth.
While you are at, clean your windows. For best results and a healthy home, use white vinegar and old newspaper.
Garbage cans
These harbour unpleasant odours and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Empty the cans, wash them with soap and water, and sprinkle baking soda inside to neutralize odours before replacing the liners.
Door handles, light switches
These surfaces can harbour germs and bacteria, especially during cold and flu season. Wipe them down to keep them spotless and germ-free.
By devoting some time to cleaning and organizing your home, you will be ready to enjoy the gifts of our vibrant community.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected].
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