Up to 77 percent of households engage in spring cleaning every year, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI).
Today, homes may be heated differently, but spring cleaning still offers many benefits, especially if anyone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma.
Spring cleaning is also a great time to get rid of clutter and items that are never used. Items can be recycled, sold, or donated, and clutter can be drastically reduced throughout a home.
If you intend to engage in spring cleaning this year, these top spring cleaning tricks can help to speed up the process and help you complete your tasks efficiently.
Reasons to Spring Clean
Before diving into the top spring cleaning tricks, it’s helpful to have a cleaning goal in mind. Do you want to rid your home of allergy irritants? Do you want more space? Do you want to get rid of items that you and your family don’t really use? There are a lot of reasons you may want to perform some spring cleaning, including:
- Decluttering your home
- Getting rid of old items and furniture to make room for new ones
- Removing dirt, dust, pet dander, and other allergy and asthma irritants
- Having a cleaner and more organized home
The Types of Spring Cleaning You Can Do
One of the top spring cleaning tricks is to compose a list of the tasks you will take on this year. There is a variety of types of springing cleaning that you can commit to, including:
- Indoor deep clean: Indoor deep cleans will take care of dust, bacteria, and pet dander in areas of your home that are not routinely cleaned. This may include vacuuming and dusting behind and beneath furniture, in cabinets, and in closets within every room of your home. You may also want to consider steam cleaning your carpets for an even deeper clean. If you or anyone in your household smokes, consider washing the walls and upholstery in each room as nicotine residue is left behind in carpets, walls, and furniture.
- Deep cleaning doors and windows: As part of your spring cleaning project, wipe down doors, door frames, and windows, including any screens.
- Deep cleaning ceilings and ceiling fans: Ceiling fans are an ideal place for dust to gather. Since ceiling fans are up high, they’re often “out of sight and out of mind.” Carefully dust and wipe down all ceiling fans and dust ceilings. Remove any lingering cobwebs.
- Deep cleaning appliances: A common type of spring cleaning is to completely clean out and wipe down appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.
- Outdoor deep clean: Spring cleaning is not just limited to the inside of your home. The exterior of your home deserves an annual cleaning, including power washing, pool maintenance, and cleaning any outdoor furniture or grills. If you have a shed or garage, spring cleaning is the perfect time to declutter those areas and eliminate unused items. If your home has gutters and downspouts, cleaning these out can prevent damage to your roof, especially if you have any trees near your home.
- Maintenance: Certain household appliances and systems require routine maintenance to run smoothly. This includes your heating and cooling system, which you can have checked by a professional. It’s also essential to change out any filters that need to be switched out on an annual basis, such as in a furnace or refrigerator.
Things to Buy for Spring Cleaning
Another one of the top spring cleaning tricks is to check your cleaning supplies before you begin. Restocking on necessary supplies can help cut down on the time it takes you to complete your project. Depending on what you intend to clean this year and the layout of your home, you may need:
- Reusable cleaning cloths
- Sponges
- General all-purpose cleaner
- Wood floor specific cleaner
- Cleaning gloves
- Deep cleaning brush sets
- Magic erasers or similar products
- Rust removal products for bathrooms and other stained areas
- Dishwasher cleaner
- Washing machine cleaner
Depending on cleaning supplies you already have, you may also need to purchase a new vacuum, mop, broom, duster, or power washer.
Top Spring Cleaning Tricks and Tips
These top spring cleaning tricks and tips will help boost efficiency and cut down on the amount of time it takes for you to clean your home inside and out:
- Have a plan, including a room-by-room checklist
- Restock your cleaning supplies before you begin spring cleaning
- Schedule breaks so that you don’t burn yourself out or take a break after each room
- Make a playlist or get an audiobook to listen to while you clean
- Declutter while you deep clean
- Have a plan for recycling, donations, or selling old items
- Consider upgrading the necessities, such as your vacuum or mop, with a more efficient model as necessary
- Wear protective masks if you have any allergies or asthma that may be irritated by the task at hand
- Work on one room at a time
- Clean from top to bottom
Traps to Avoid That May Disrupt Your Spring Cleaning
Finally, you can dodge common traps that can disrupt and even prevent you from completing your spring cleaning project by avoiding:
- Setting unrealistic goals or expecting to be done with your project in a single day
- Losing focus during your breaks or while decluttering your home
- Going at spring cleaning without a plan and checklist
- Improperly lifting heavy objects
- Mixing cleaners, such as ammonia and bleach
- Cleaning multiple rooms at the same time
- Getting pessimistic about the tasks at hand
Apply for a Personal Loan for all Your Spring Cleaning Needs
Mariner Finance can help cover the cost of your next spring cleaning project. A personal loan can help cover the cost of cleaning supplies, repairs, and changes to your home.
Apply for a personal loan online for all of your spring cleaning needs and supplies.
