Alas, it’s that time of year: sunlight streams into your home, revealing dust and dirt that you somehow never noticed during the frigid winter months.
Spring cleaning is either loved or hated by all. But everyone can manage at least a few of these simple spring cleaning tips.
25 spring cleaning tips that even lazy people can do:
Spring cleaning is either loved or hated by all. But everyone can manage at least a few of these simple spring cleaning tips.
25 spring cleaning tips that even lazy people can do:
1. Clean out your fridge. Start by removing everything and giving the shelving a wipe-down (don’t use harsh cleaners). Then check expiration dates on your condiments—toss anything that’s past its prime.
2. Tackle your freezer. See what you’ve got frozen down in the depths and plan some meals around it to free up space. Make sure to thaw meats and seafoods safely.
3. Don’t neglect light fixtures. Light fixtures should be given a good dusting at least every couple of months. So, break out that step ladder!
4. Get your outdoor furniture party-ready. Give your patio, deck or porch furniture (especially wrought iron) a good wipe down with a rag and some water, and you’re good to go.
5. Get rid of burnt popcorn smell. Clean your microwave the natural way: cut a lemon in half, add a sprinkle of kosher salt, and use it to scrub the inside of the microwave. Lovely smell and cleaning power from citric acid!
2. Tackle your freezer. See what you’ve got frozen down in the depths and plan some meals around it to free up space. Make sure to thaw meats and seafoods safely.
3. Don’t neglect light fixtures. Light fixtures should be given a good dusting at least every couple of months. So, break out that step ladder!
4. Get your outdoor furniture party-ready. Give your patio, deck or porch furniture (especially wrought iron) a good wipe down with a rag and some water, and you’re good to go.
5. Get rid of burnt popcorn smell. Clean your microwave the natural way: cut a lemon in half, add a sprinkle of kosher salt, and use it to scrub the inside of the microwave. Lovely smell and cleaning power from citric acid!
6. Freshen your carpet. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, then leave it there for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, vacuum.
7. Windows are the windows to the soul. Give some love to your windows—both inside and out. And don’t forget to open them up and clean that dirt-loving window track.
8. Caress your cabinets. Remove grease and dirt from your kitchen cabinets with wood cleaner or a mixture of 1 quart hot water and ½ cup lemon juice.
9. Power to the cleaner. Empty and add a new filter to your vacuum cleaner so it can do the job right. Make this a regular habit.
10. Showered with freshness. If you use a plastic shower curtain and/or shower curtain liner, wash with a load of dirty towels and then hang to dry. Fabric curtains can also be washed, of course.
7. Windows are the windows to the soul. Give some love to your windows—both inside and out. And don’t forget to open them up and clean that dirt-loving window track.
8. Caress your cabinets. Remove grease and dirt from your kitchen cabinets with wood cleaner or a mixture of 1 quart hot water and ½ cup lemon juice.
9. Power to the cleaner. Empty and add a new filter to your vacuum cleaner so it can do the job right. Make this a regular habit.
10. Showered with freshness. If you use a plastic shower curtain and/or shower curtain liner, wash with a load of dirty towels and then hang to dry. Fabric curtains can also be washed, of course.
11. Give your garage a sweep. Literally. Sweep out the dead leaves, cobwebs, and dirt that have accumulated all winter.
12. Clean your keyboard. Use a cotton ball or Q-tip spritzed with a tiny bit of antibacterial cleaning spray to clean those hard-to-reach crevices in your computer keyboard.
13. It’s toaster time. Empty the charred crumbs from your toaster or toaster oven.
14. Skip the air freshener. Create a fresh smelling and inviting bathroom by adding a few drops of essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll.
15. Do the seasonal swap. When it seems to be more spring than winter, I do the ‘seasonal swap’ with my clothes and shoes, trading my winter boots on our shoe rack for sandals. This is also the perfect time to go through your wardrobe and set aside items you haven’t worn or used for over a year for donating. This will also save you money when shopping for the new season, because you’ll know what’s already in your closet.
12. Clean your keyboard. Use a cotton ball or Q-tip spritzed with a tiny bit of antibacterial cleaning spray to clean those hard-to-reach crevices in your computer keyboard.
13. It’s toaster time. Empty the charred crumbs from your toaster or toaster oven.
14. Skip the air freshener. Create a fresh smelling and inviting bathroom by adding a few drops of essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll.
15. Do the seasonal swap. When it seems to be more spring than winter, I do the ‘seasonal swap’ with my clothes and shoes, trading my winter boots on our shoe rack for sandals. This is also the perfect time to go through your wardrobe and set aside items you haven’t worn or used for over a year for donating. This will also save you money when shopping for the new season, because you’ll know what’s already in your closet.
16. De-grubify toys. Got kids? Give their plastic toys (none with batteries, obviously) a little bath with warm water and dish soap. You could even use your bathtub for the job—simply plug the drain.
17. Trash talk. Notice that the rubbish smell persists even after you’ve taken out the trash? Give the inside of your trash cans a good antibacterial wipe down and let them dry.
18. Out with the old. Recycle old magazines, donate books you no longer read, file away the most special cards and letters, and make room for the new.
19. Fanfare. Use an old pillowcase to clean individual blades of a ceiling fan without taking a dust shower.
20. I’ll take a coffee, hold the mold. Clean out your classic coffee maker or pod style machine with these instructions, and enjoy a better cup of joe.
17. Trash talk. Notice that the rubbish smell persists even after you’ve taken out the trash? Give the inside of your trash cans a good antibacterial wipe down and let them dry.
18. Out with the old. Recycle old magazines, donate books you no longer read, file away the most special cards and letters, and make room for the new.
19. Fanfare. Use an old pillowcase to clean individual blades of a ceiling fan without taking a dust shower.
20. I’ll take a coffee, hold the mold. Clean out your classic coffee maker or pod style machine with these instructions, and enjoy a better cup of joe.
21. Clean your oven the natural way. Those oven cleaning chemicals can be horrendous-smelling. Try it with baking soda and vinegar, instead.
22. Want cleaner clothes? Don’t forget to clean your washing machine once a year.
23. Breathe easier. Replace your air filters every 90 days. This helps keep allergens out of your home and also prevents a fire hazard.
24. Unblock your showerheads. Remove the grime from your showerheads with this simple trick: fill a clear plastic sandwich bag with warm water, vinegar and lemon juice. Then tie the bag snugly around the shower nozzle, allowing it to soak in and eat up that dirt.
25. De-dustify your lampshades. Use a lint roller to remove that stubborn dust without damaging your lampshade.
So, who wants to come clean my house?
22. Want cleaner clothes? Don’t forget to clean your washing machine once a year.
23. Breathe easier. Replace your air filters every 90 days. This helps keep allergens out of your home and also prevents a fire hazard.
24. Unblock your showerheads. Remove the grime from your showerheads with this simple trick: fill a clear plastic sandwich bag with warm water, vinegar and lemon juice. Then tie the bag snugly around the shower nozzle, allowing it to soak in and eat up that dirt.
25. De-dustify your lampshades. Use a lint roller to remove that stubborn dust without damaging your lampshade.
So, who wants to come clean my house?
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