Our Favorite Tips to Tackle Spring Cleaning
As spring arrives in Houston and beyond, we’re sharing our favorite tips and tricks on how to organize and clean for a fresh start to the season. After a long winter, it’s time to breathe new life into your home.
1. Create A Checklist
Whether you want to do a top-to-bottom, crown molding-to-baseboards clean — or just taking a stab at organizing the junk drawer, start with a checklist to stay motivated and on task. Who doesn’t love the satisfaction of placing pen to paper and victoriously crossing off an item from your list?
Writing out your to dos will also help you determine if you need to make a trip to the store for more cleaning supplies or extra storage bins.
We recommend tackling the big stuff first — so you’ll feel an early sense of accomplishment, making each task on the list easier and easier.
Here’s what’s on our checklist:
Kitchen:
Clean the inside of all of your appliances
Vacuum and mop around your appliances
Check all labels in your fridge for expired food and toss it out
Take inventory of your spices and pantry items
Spray windows clean
Clean your stove, microwave, and other frequently-used appliances
Bedroom:
Organize all small items and take inventory of what you have
Go through your closet and donate any items you don’t wear anymore
Launder all your bedding
Wipe walls and ceilings
Dust books and shelves
Clean pillows
Rotate your mattress
Bathroom:
Organize your medicine cabinet
Toss out old linens and towels
Discard expired cosmetics and beauty products
Reseal any grout lines
Living Room:
Do a deep vacuum
Swap heavy curtains, rugs, or throws for lightweight ones for spring
Clean carpets or rugs
Home Office:
Organize all of your files, bills, and any paper that’s piled up
Clean your computers
Backup your hard drive
2. Cleaning for Your Mental Health
Cleanliness goes beyond improving the look of your home — it can also have substantial benefits on your mental health too.
Studies have shown that those who described their living spaces as cluttered or dirty were more likely to be suffering from depression and fatigue. In addition, clutter and mess can make it more difficult for you to focus on a particular task — leading to an increase in stress and anxiety.
Cleaning can have a number of positive effects on your mental health. It helps you gain a sense of control over your environment — and engaging in the repetitive act of cleaning (such as washing a sink full of dishes) is shown to reduce your levels of nervousness.
Here are 5 ways that a clean home will improve your overall mental health.
Cleaning can reduce anxiety: Whether you’re dancing with your Swiffer or scrubbing your bathroom grout furiously, cleaning can help lower feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and an improvement in mental inspiration.
Declutter to improve your focus: When your space is cluttered or messy, you might feel the effects on your ability to focus. Clutter limits your brain’s ability to process information — so studies have found that people are less irritable and less distracted in an organized work environment.
Sharing a clean environment makes for a better relationship: Keeping your home fresh and organized can gives you peace of mind with your partner, family, or roommate. No more arguments about who’s turn it is to do the dishes.
Enjoy better quality sleep: Studies have found that making your bed and having clean sheets is associated with a better night of sleep.
3. Maintain your house’s value
The dust on the mantle might not just be hurting your allergies — but also your wallet. If you’re looking to place your house on the market or just maintain its value, one of the best ways to boost its value is to keep it clean and tidy.
Clutter and dirt in a house on the market can be concealing more serious problems, such as leaks or even pest infestations.
When you clean consistently, it will prolong the service life of your major appliances — including your heating and air conditioning. Plus, keeping up with decluttering and cleaning can help you identify and repair small maintenance issues, such as small holes in the wall or paint scuffs.
We’re here to help.
Questions on how to tackle spring cleaning this year? Let us know!
