Spring has sprung! As the gloom of winter fades away, why not also take this time to make your living space shiny and bright? Cleaning your space will keep you more organized and productive and improve your physical and mental well-being -- plus cleaning NOW prevents having to do an exhausting, time-consuming deep clean of your home when your lease ends.
Planning
The most important part of getting started with a spring clean is planning. Figure out which room you want to tackle first, plan a start time, and stick to it! Remember to also plan some breaks during your cleaning so you don’t get exhausted or overwhelmed -- or just work on one room each day. Make a playlist to listen to and get to work!
Cleaning Supplies
Make sure you have everything you’ll need before you start so you don’t get derailed and lose momentum halfway into your cleaning project. Here’s a good list of items to get you started:
Declutter
Now is the perfect time to look at your closet and get rid of items you haven’t used in the past year. Consider donating your unwanted clothes and items to charity. Clean out your pantry and fridge, being sure to check expiration dates on food items. Do the same with bathroom cabinets, check makeup products and other toiletries. Changing your bedding and flipping your mattress will make your bed feel brand new again!
Dust
Now that you’re done decluttering, you may notice a lot more dust around! Get your dusting out of the way. Grab a microfiber clothe and work from the ceiling to the floor. Dust your ceiling fan, light fixtures, blinds, vents, and baseboards. This way when you get around to vacuuming you pick up all the dust that fell to the ground. Even if you hate dusting, you’ll feel better knowing the dust devils lurking in your apartment have been taken care of!
Organize
We’ve taken everything out, decluttered, and dusted, now its time to put it all back! Grab some storage bins to organize winter clothing, shoes, kitchen utensils, etc. Be sure to label your bins for easy identification, you don’t want to forget where everything is.
Clean
The final step is finally here! Throw on those rubber gloves and give your home a good scrub. During this step it’s always a good idea to open your windows to let the fresh air in and avoid a buildup of any chemical or cleaner smell. Just like with dusting, start top to bottom. Finish off by mopping and vacuuming.
Relax and Enjoy Your Rejuvenated Space
You did it! Take a break and admire your newly cleaned home, and maybe take this time to rejuvenate your space with some redecorating, artwork, or houseplants.