Ready to tackle the clutter and dust?
Here are some collected expert tips gathered all in one place!
One important step to enjoying your home to the fullest is to have it clean and organized. No one loves to be in a room cluttered and dirty, and that's just it...So buckle up and get some of the easiest tips on getting started to deep clean your home! (Some affiliate commissionable links are found in this blog)
Get set, go!!!!!!
Tip #1 - Clean & Dust Ceiling Fans
This should be one of the first steps you should tackle because the dust will land and settle on things you'll need to go behind and clean up to vacuum/sweep. I've found that it takes more than just a duster. A duster with a handle is good for the blades but don't forget the center of the fan that also needs dusting which a microfiber cloth is good for.
Tip #2 - Cabinet & Drawer Decluttering for Spring Cleaning
First things first, let's talk about the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom. They are holding things that are either expired, are not being used, or you just plain forgot about them.
After throwing out what you don't need vacuum and wipe down the inside of your cabinets. You'd be surprised how much dust and gunk has accumulated behind those doors and drawers.
The most unorganized cabinet spaces may be under your sinks. Get a water-resistant liner and invest in small clear bins to keep things separate and neat. I've emptied dishwashing tablets containers, garbage bag boxes, disinfectant bottles, etc, and put them in clear containers so I not only see when I need to buy more, but it looks way better!
Shop this under-the-sink organizer perfect for spring cleaning!
Tip #3 - Closet Decluttering
I know, you've held on to those jeans you want to get back in and that dress that will let you know if you've lost those couple of inches but here's a secret...you can buy some more when you lose it. To me, keeping old clothes to lose weight is as effective as keeping old food to inspire cooking. Get inspiration that doesn't clutter up space you need to use for other things. Let it go, sis!
Now that you've gotten less clutter, time to vacuum and dust the inside of that closet!
My favorite closet accessory has become such a space saver even to the point that my hubby thought I had gotten rid of most of my clothes! The 5-layer foam blouse hanger is awesome! Here's the link below:
"Keeping old clothes to lose weight is as effective as keeping old food to inspire cooking."
Tip #4 - Get the Right Organizers
There are organizers for every type of room and space in your house! For instance, the organizer for a closet wouldn't be right for a drawer. So pay attention to the type of organizers you're getting. Also, remember that a lot of organizers don't mean you ARE organized. You can't skip out on decluttering and getting rid of unnecessary things.
Once you have let go of the clutter and know what to see, check out this versatile, stackable organizer from Amazon that can be used in more than one way.
Tip #5 - Shred All Unwanted Paper
Take control of the mail that has taken over your kitchen table. Nowadays, people can get hold of your personal information but try not to make it any easier for them. Until I'm ready to shred, I put the mail I need to destroy in a decorative, non-clear, lidded box so it doesn't look so messy. Then when I'm ready, I shred it all at once.
My shredder which I've had for years has not let me down yet and I got it from Walmart for under $40:
UPS has shredding services based on the weight of the load. You can take advantage of this option if you don't want to shred yourself.
Tip #6 - Clean Oven
You'll need:
Multi-purpose Cleaner
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Spray Bottle
Microfiber Towel
Gloves
Dish Soap
Scrub Brush
Glass Cleaner
After using the self-cleaning feature on your oven and it cools down, wipe down the inside with a damp cloth and multi-purpose cleaner. Then clean the oven door with a paste with half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of water and let it stay for 12 hours. Afterward, wipe off with a damp cloth and glass cleaner. Soak your oven racks in water overnight. In the morning, wipe them off with a scrub brush with soap and water.
To see how this is done look at these directions in a video from Home Depot:
Tip #7 - Organize & Clean Fridge
Move all food to a cooler so you can completely concentrate on scrubbing your shelves and racks. Use hot soapy water while wiping down the inside with a little bleach to disinfect to get all germs and food particles gone!
See this spiffy little PDF from the CDC of how to clean your fridge when food is recalled to make sure no dangerous bacteria is left:
Tip #8 - Dust Walls & Baseboards
Start with dusting first. An easy way to dust your walls is using a Swiffer dry dust mop because it has a flat end that makes it easy to wipe your walls. A simple microfiber towel is best for the baseboards since it may not have a completely flat surface and the flexibility of the towel can bend in the creases.
If they need to be wiped down, use a 50/50 water and vinegar solution with a microfiber towel.
Tip #9 - Refresh Windows, Blinds, & Window Treatments
According to Katie Jennings, a senior research manager at Seventh Generation, the best time to clean external windows is once/year in the spring and weekly or monthly for indoor windows. It's a great time in the spring to also dust and wash the window treatments that have been hanging. - Jolie Kerr, CNN Underscored
Check out this magnetic window tool to clean inside and outside window glass:
Tip # 10 - Clean & Flip Your Mattress
Yes! The build-up of dead skill cells, dust mites, and sweat makes your mattress icky. So sprinkle some baking soda on top and let it sit on there for 30 minutes before vacuuming it up. If you have soil spots on your mattress you want to get out, use hydrogen peroxide with a little baking soda and a toothbrush. Gently brush the fabric and repeat until you see the stain lift. (This will lift the color so make sure you only use it on light-colored mattresses.)
Then flip it to get a fresher surface to lie down on! Use a disinfectant spray to kill off any nasty germs and turn on a ceiling fan and open windows to get good fresh air circulating until you can tell new air has moved its way in. You're all set!
So let's get our homes ready for spring!
After all that is done you're ready to sweep and mop! Nothing is more inviting about a home than its clean and neat atmosphere. Save this blog and refer to it and let's get started!
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