Spring Cleaning Hacks

As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, it’s finally time to shake off that seasonal depression and dust from the cold season. Embrace the spirit of renewal with some spring cleaning! But who says cleaning has to be a chore? With a few of these easy and clever life hacks, you’ll fly through your spring cleaning checklist to enjoy a beautiful, clean home to prepare for the warmer months ahead.

THE 4-BOX METHOD

Try to declutter every room in your house with the four-box method. Pick up some empty cardboard boxes from your nearest post office or grocery store and label each box with one of these labels: keep, donate, trash, elsewhere. Placing items in the keep box means you want to keep them and actually plan to use them. Placing items in the donate box means they are still in good condition but you just don’t need it anymore. Placing items in the trash box is self-explanatory, and placing items in the elsewhere box means it goes in another room in your home. This very simple strategy makes decluttering much more manageable and helps you make quick decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.

DIY CLEANERS

Make some DIY cleaners at home to avoid using too many harsh chemicals and avoid spending dozens of dollars on multiple cleaners and sprays.

1. For an all purpose cleaner that you can use in any part of your home, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Also add a couple drops of your favorite essential oils for a fresh scent. You can use this to clean countertops, sinks, floors, and other surfaces throughout your home.
2. Revive old mattresses with baking soda. Give your mattress a good refresh by flipping it over, sprinkling it with baking soda, and then vacuuming it up after 15-20 minutes. Baking soda is used to help absorb moisture and odors, so this will leave your mattress feeling and smelling fresh and clean. For another scented boost, add a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to the baking soda before sprinkling it atop your mattress.
3. If you have lots of stainless steel appliances or faucets, a great way to get them to shine again is to use olive oil! Simply dab a small amount of olive oil onto a soft cloth and rub it onto the stainless steel surface. Then buff out any excess oil with a clean cloth to ensure no streaks are left.

FRESHENING UP APPLIANCES

Another spring cleaning must is to freshen up and clean out your appliances thoroughly. If you have a dirty microwave with stubborn food splatters, try this easy hack. Fill up a microwave safe bowl with water and a few slices of lemon and microwave it on high inside until the water boils and creates steam. The steam will help to loosen the grime and make it easier to wipe away the dirt with a damp cloth. Another key appliance in your kitchen that requires some freshening up is your garbage disposal. Keeping your garbage disposal smelling fresh and clean is essential for your entire kitchen to smell good. Toss in some citrus peels and ice cubes and then run the disposal with cold water. The ice will help to dislodge buildup, and the citrus peels will leave behind a pleasant smell. For an additional boost, sprinkle baking soda down the drain before running the disposal with these other things.

REFRESH FABRICS AND BLINDS

Be sure to also refresh the fabrics and blinds in your home. Say goodbye to these dusty blinds with a simple cleaning solution of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. After spraying it onto a microfiber cloth, wipe down each row of the blinds to ensure that no more dust will catch onto them and also get rid of any grease or dirt. You can also refresh your upholstered furniture and curtains with vodka! Vodka is a natural deodorizer, which helps to neutralize odors. Fill up a spray bottle with vodka and spritz it onto fabrics and allow it to air dry. The alcohol will evaporate quickly, taking any bad odors with it, leaving behind a fresh and clean scent.