Spring cleaning is excellent for mental and physical health. It significantly reduces stress while benefitting the house in a number of different ways. Cleaning up also helps you make the most of what you have since you will be more organized.
Not sure where to start? Here are 10 easy spring cleaning tips for a healthier home.
- Tidy up kitchen countertops
Are your kitchen countertops getting cluttered with food, appliances, and random things? Take a moment to clear them and sort through your stuff. Then, give them a good clean. Use dish soap or a countertop cleaner designed for the material you have. They’ll look glossy and cleaner than ever.
Deep cleaning the countertops not only gives them life but helps to get rid of crumbs, which could attract pests. If you get bugs every summer, contact an ant exterminator Toronto or near you.
- Declutter the closets
Decluttering the home is a good way to start your spring cleaning. This way, you’ll have more space to clean. Go through your clothing and make a pile for donation. If you haven’t worn something in over a year, it’s uncomfortable, or if it simply does not fit, it’s time to give it away. The same thing goes for old pieces of technology, like a phone charger you can’t use anymore. Donate what you don’t need, so someone else can use it.
- Clean kitchen appliances
Oven cleaning products have a strong smell, so it is best that you use them while the weather is warm, and you can open your windows. For a quicker clean, warm up the oven to 200F, then turn it off and spray it with cleaner. Let it sit for a few minutes, then clean it up with a wet rag. Clean the oven, fridge, microwave, toaster, and every other kitchen appliance. They’ll look good as new and work better.
- Clean the windows
Cleaning the windows will let in more light. Do this on a shady day, so your cleaning products don’t dry onto the glass. Start by wiping dirt off with a rag or a brush. Use soap and water for an especially dirty window. Then, use a glass cleaner. For a homemade cleaner, mix 2 cups water with ½ a cup of white vinegar and a ¼ cup of 70% rubbing alcohol. Then, rub the glass cleaner off the glass with a reusable microfiber cloth or paper towel.
- Re-organize the pantry
Pantries are prone to getting cluttered and dirty. So, empty it out completely and make an inventory of what you have. Throw out expired items. Then, wipe the pantry clean to remove crumbs and grease. Put everything back in an organized manner.
If you have the time, consider decanting your pantry goods into sealed, glass containers. You’ll be able to see all your ingredients while keeping them fresh and keeping them safe from pests.
- Vacuum and wash doormats
Hose down your outdoor mats and prop them up to dry. Vacuum indoor door mats on both sides to remove dirt and wash them as well if they will allow it. If your indoor rugs are getting dirty, consider renting a steam cleaner and giving them a good clean.
- Freshen up the washing machine
Does the washing machine smell? Mix about ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water and pour it where you would put detergent. Then, pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum. Run the machine as if you were washing a regular load at high heat. When it’s done, scrub dirty spots clean with a brush. Tougher spots can be scrubbed with vinegar.
- Dust fans and blinds.
Fan blades and blinds collect dust and allergens. Use a regular duster to get the tops of ceiling fan blades and to dust blinds. Depending on your blinds, you can use a vacuum with a brush attachment. If your blinds have yellowed, you can also soak them in a tub of cold water and 2 or 3 cups of liquid bleach. Let the blinds soak for 10 minutes, scrub them, then rinse them clean and hang them outside to dry.
- Wash curtains
Take your curtains to the dry cleaners or wash them on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Sheer curtains should be soaked for 5 minutes before running the cycle. To really brighten them up, add a whitening agent or a little bit of bleach and baking soda to the load.
- Clean grout
Grout picks up dirt very easily. Start cleaning your shower grout and other tiles with a mild cleaner and work your way up to products that are more powerful. Follow the directions on the product and ventilate the room. Use a tile scrub brush. Tile floors can be cleaned with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.
