It’s been a long winter and I’m looking forward to Spring. Spring is a time for rejuvenation and fresh starts. It’s an “out with the old, in with new” time of year. For many of us, that means Spring Cleaning. Being a Wayfair Homemaker, I wanted to share some Spring Cleaning tips.
Living in a 2-bedroom/1-bathroom our Spring Cleaning routine is pretty minimal. There’re no gutters or vents to clean or garden to tend. I don’t have to set up a pool or do yard work maintenance.
Things still need to be done around our home. The things that get overlooked in our day-to-day, week-to-week cleaning routine. Chores I’ll happily put off.
Another day = fast and furious Spring Cleaning weekend.
One of my favorite things about the Spring is Daylight Savings. It makes me want to brighten things up with flowers and spring colors – like yellow, blue or green. No need to break the bank.
A throw pillow, new curtains or vase filled with artificial flowers can brighten up any room.
Yes, I said artificial. I don’t have time to water fresh flowers and purchasing them weekly can get expensive.
Brightening things up is more than flowers and pops of color. It’s about concentrating on the things that get overlooked.
Raise your hand if you get excited about new cleaning supplies. Or is it just me?
I put together an Idea Board on Wayfair as a reminder to myself of things I want to tackle during my Spring Cleaning weekend.
But before I get to my seasonal deep cleaning, I update all of our cleaning products. I stock up on new cleaning clothes (or just use old teeshirts), Magic Erasers and change out the mop head. You can’t clean with old, grimy supplies.
Spring Cleaning Tips for Every Room in Your Apartment
Kitchen
- Clean out/wipe down cabinets and drawers
- Toss old/expired spices, canned goods or cake/cookie mixes.
- Reorganize tupperware: toss any ones that are old, stained or with missing lids.
- Let go of those takeout containers (you don’t need all of them).
- Clean out the “junk” drawer (every kitchen has one).
- Wipe down the top of the fridge
Living Room
- Give the sofa a deep clean. Remove all the cushions. Vacuum up all the cheerios and cracker crumbs. Toss any missing Lego bricks. Keep all change for yourself.
- Before putting cushions back, give them a good scrub with a fabric cleaner and vacuum nozzle.
- If you have any machine washable items – curtains, pillows, throws – throw them in the washing machine.
Bathroom
- Scrub tiles. Regrouting optional.
- Replace shower caddy – or give it a good cleaning. Those things can get so grimy.
- Clean out medicine cabinet. Toss out old/expired medicine, first aid items, lotions and beauty products.
- Replace shower liner.
- Update shower curtain, bath mat, towels and accessories for Spring.
- If you keep your makeup in the bathroom (which you really shouldn’t), toss out old makeup. If you’re unsure about makeup expiration dates: Get Organized Month: Makeup Organization/Storage
Bedrooms
- Reorganize dresser drawers.
- Give dressers a new look by switching out knobs and pulls.
- Donate/toss clothes that don’t fit or any items you haven’t used in a year. (Think of it as a mini Marie Kondo method.)
- Toss any broken toys.
- Set aside unused/outgrown clothes/toys/books to donate.
- Put away any winter items (and cross your fingers that you won’t need them again.)
- Flip/rotate mattress.
General
- Dust ceiling fans.
- Wipe down walls – if you have kids, the Magic Eraser is your BFF.
- Wash windows.
- Dust baseboards, light fixtures, frames.
- Wipe doorknobs and light switch plates.
- Shampoo carpets.
- Safety inspection: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Go through paperwork, bills and have a shred fest.
How to Make Spring Cleaning Fun for the Kids
My son, Norrin, is at the age where he wants to help. Here’s how I get him to involved and make it fun.
On Your Mark. Get Set. GO!
Kids love a race. Before wiping down the walls in my son’s room, I set the time, hand him a Magic Eraser, say those 6 magic words and we get to work. Sometimes I even let him win.
Make a List & Offer a Reward
My son loves a checklist. So I write out a few tasks and have him check it off as he completes them. After all is checked off – he gets a treat. It doesn’t have to major – a piece of candy or new drawing pad (he loves to draw). Make sure the reward is something your kid will want to work for.
Make it a Party
All kids love a party. Put on some music, put out some snacks, order a pizza and have a Spring Cleaning dance party.
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