At the end of winter, it can feel great to do a little spring cleaning to help you feel refreshed and ready for the warmer months ahead. There are mental health benefits to having a tidy space, including improved focus, less stress, and a better night’s sleep, according to Psychology Today.
Here are five spring cleaning tips to help you get started with tidying up your space this season.
1. Freshen up musty carpets
Rainy days, kids, and pets can make carpets get a little stinky. Luckily, we have baking soda. To freshen up your carpets and help with any lingering odors, sprinkle baking soda or carpet deodorizer on your carpet. Using a soft brush, work the baking soda into your carpet and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum it up!
2. Spray down the windows and dust the blinds
When was the last time you thought about the dust on your blinds? Start by raising your blinds and washing your windows with glass cleaner like Windex, or a mixture of 1-part white vinegar to 10-parts water. Next, put your blinds back down and wipe them with a cloth that is damp with water. If you have curtains, finish by vacuuming them to get out an extra dust.
3. Deep-clean the refrigerator
A deep-clean of the fridge is something we never set aside time for. Start by throwing away any old food items, like the bottle of mustard that nobody has touched in two years. Next, take out the shelves and drawers and wash them with dish soap and water, then let them air dry or wipe them dry before putting them back in the fridge. Don’t forget to wipe the inside walls of the fridge and the bottom. Repeat with the freezer!
4. Clean kids’ toys
Kids toys can quickly get dirty. Consider washing stuffed animals, if they are machine-washable safe, by placing them in a mesh bag or pillowcase before throwing it into the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Plastic toys can be washed in the sink or bathtub with warm water and dish soap, and then air dried. A disinfectant spray or wipe can also be used if you are in a pinch for time. Make sure to let the toys dry completely before you return them to your kids.
5. Scrub down your cabinets and walls
Get rid of greasy fingerprints, dust, and stains by wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth. Start from the top and work your way down. Tiles in the bathroom can be cleaned the same way, though you could add some bleach or a bathroom disinfectant to kill germs while you are at it. Next, move to your kitchen cabinets and get wiping!
Cleaning your space can seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start, but spreading this out over a few weeks can make it feel more manageable. Another way to spread it out is by going room-by-room, rather than trying to do your whole space at once. Read more spring cleaning tips at Good House Keeping.