It’s almost springtime, and you know what that means … spring cleaning! Whether you live in a home in Bellevue or an apartment in Denver, this annual task is inescapable, but will leave your place feeling fresh and ready for the warmer days ahead.
A spring clean doesn’t have to take up an entire day if you do it right. With these cleaning tips, you can spend less time sanitizing and more time admiring your spotless apartment. Before getting started, Nerina Cervantes with the Clean Society says, “A structured, step-by-step approach makes the spring cleaning process manageable and keeps your space feeling fresh year-round.” Now, here are all the tips and tricks you need to know about.
1. Stock up on what you need
You can’t start spring cleaning if you don’t have the proper tools. Consider picking the following items up from a local store, or borrowing them from a friend:
- Microfiber cloths
- Vacuum with attachments
- All-purpose cleaner (e.g., Lysol)
- Rubber gloves
- Dry mop
- Bathroom cleaner (e.g., Clorox, OxiClean)
2. Have fun, play music
The last thing anyone wants is to dread their spring cleaning day. Cody Moore with El Paso Cleaning Pros says, “Music can significantly improve your mood and motivation. Put on your favorite playlist to reduce stress and improve focus.”
3. Use a Squeegee to remove pet hair
If you have a dog or cat in your apartment, chances are your floors are caked with hair. Save your poor vacuum from getting instantly clogged with pet hair by turning to your shower squeegee for help.
This will remove the large clumps of hair from the carpet. Go through a second time with the vacuum to finish the job.
4. Go room by room
Sheila Halek with the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals Minnesota Chapter (NAPO), suggests, “Go one room at a time, or even one drawer at a time. Make sure that like items are with like items, i.e., batteries are all in one space.” It’s easier to just clean one room at a time. You’ll feel much better when you can cross a whole room off of your list and move onto the next. Somehow the entire process just seems much more manageable that way.
Juan Serrano with Reno City Cleaning shares how when it comes to decluttering, take a “top-to-bottom approach to ensure a fresh, rejuvenated home.” This means looking up first and making your way down through any storage until you arrive at the floor.
If you thrive on making lists, you’re in luck. Kim McClure, professional organizer for 360 Organizing Atlanta recommends, “Create a bullet list of the things you will need to do and steps you will need to take in order to complete the project.”
As you’re going through each room, Candace Evia with Simply Minimally Me says, “Start by asking yourself, would I pack this for my future home? If not, why keep it?”
You may want to start with your least favorite room or the space that will require the most effort. Leaving that room till the end isn’t the best idea, because you’ll be exhausted by the time you reach it. You’ll be happy you left the easy spaces for last.
The kitchen is easily one of those spots where much of the year is spent and entertaining unfolds. Azalea Rivera, owner of Essential Cleaning Company in Napa recommends, “Organize your pantry by discarding expired items and arranging shelves for easier access.” Having a tidier kitchen may just lead to a more fulfilling cooking experience throughout the year.
Be certain your pantry organization makes your life easier. To do so, Austin Palmer with Ace of Space Organizing says, “Organize pantry items in clear, labeled containers to make meal prep a breeze and maintain a tidy kitchen.”
5. Get rid of the clutter
It’s going to be very difficult to vacuum your floors and dust your tables when there is clutter everywhere. Kerry Proctor, owner and professional organizer for BrightHome Organizing says, “Clear before you clean by decluttering first. Spend time in each room identifying which items you would like to carry forward with you into the rest of the year.” As you’re decluttering, either put away, recycle, throw away or donate items.
Stanley Pygott with Patriot Hauling and Junk Removal cautions, “Check your local municipalities for a list of your local recyclables and dispose of them in accordance with your apartment. If you find yourself with larger items needing to be disposed of, Stanley adds, “Reach out to your local and reputable junk removal companies and schedule an estimate for their services.”
Creating systems will help you stay on track during your spring cleaning process and speed things along. Elaine Kelly with Organized Living By Elaine recommends, “Create three piles: keep, donate, and toss.” Organize your belongings into these three piles until everything has been put into its place.
During your spring cleaning endeavours, Shannon Parker, professional organizer for Arrange For It shares how this applies to clothes. She says, “Now is a great time to purge any winter clothes you didn’t wear, or that are ripped or stained.” She adds how by getting rid of these items, you’ll also start making room to welcome in warm, summer attire.
Jamie McPhaul with Tidy Crescent Home Organizing recommends, “Start with high-impact areas like entryways, kitchen counters, and bathroom cabinets. If these spaces are piling up, it’s often because drawers and cabinets are already full.”
But, don’t get rid of everything. Cari Thompson with Organize Luxe says, “Keep the things you simply love and adore, but be ruthless with the rest. Odds are that you probably don’t need most of what you have.”
For those afraid of parting with an item, but understand it’s necessary, Maria Reed with House Cleaning Reno says, “Take photos of that particular item. You won’t lose the memory and will gain more room instead. If it is something you don’t want to part with, consider giving it to someone who may need it and love it as much as you.”
6. Store your keepsakes in bins or maximize vertical space
Spring cleaning doesn’t mean getting rid of everything you own. Some items are meant to stay for the long haul. For those sacred pieces, Kristen and Alison with Clean Slate Home Organization suggest, “Once you know what you’re keeping, measure your space and then shop for bins or storage products that will fit perfectly.”
Aside from bins, don’t underestimate the power of vertical space. Kristen and Alison recommend using “hooks, shelving, or storage to keep things off the floor and reduce clutter.”
7. Use a shower caddy
Gather all of your cleaning tools and place them into a shower caddy. This way, you won’t have to keep walking back and forth to your cleaning supply closet to retrieve what you’re looking for. You’ll have everything you need right at your feet.
8. Recruit help
If you live with roommates, they should definitely be helping you out with this spring clean. But if you live in your apartment alone, you can turn to friends or family for assistance. Having a few people help you out can turn a full day of cleaning into only a half day.
Granted, nobody is going to excitedly volunteer for this task, so you may have to give them something in return. Free lunch, a free drink or promising to help them clean their apartment are good starting points. I’m sure you guys can figure something out.
9. Dust ceiling and wall fixtures first
No matter what room you’re in, always dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and wall art first. William Alejandro with Smart Clean Building Maintenance in Brentwood adds, “Tackle those often-overlooked spots like window blinds, baseboards, sills, and vents.” If you leave this task for last, you may end up cleaning your floors twice thanks to the flying dust. Use a microfiber dust cloth or the soft nozzle attachment on your vacuum to dust those dirty areas on your walls and ceiling.
Additionally, the team with Austin Skyline Cleaning shares how dusting can contribute to “improved air quality that creates a fresher space.”
Don’t forget to look beyond eye-level when dusting. Reno Custom Cleaning says, “Look up! You’d be surprised how much dust and cobwebs are on all your high areas in your home.”
10. Microwave sponges
Chances are, you’ll be using a sponge to wipe down your kitchen and bathroom, but your sponges may be covered in bacteria from previous use. Germs and bacteria tend to grow there, so you’ll only be spreading dirt around your apartment if you don’t clean them first.
Wring all of the water out of your sponge and put it in the microwave for about one minute. Of course, if it is all torn up and stained, it’s probably time to just buy a new one.
11. Clean screens
TV screens tend to accumulate lots of dust, but when you use an all-purpose cleaner on them, streaks appear. Forget the spray cleaner and reach for a coffee filter instead. This will wipe off all of the lint and dust without messing with your viewing experience.
12. Let solutions sit
When sterilizing your tub, sink, and shower, you’re going to have to apply a cleaning solution. Instead of instantly scrubbing after the solution is sprayed on, let it go to work on tackling grime and stains. Wait 10 minutes before rinsing– this way, you’ll have to do less scrubbing.
And don’t forget about those pesky floor and backdrop tiles. After letting your solution sit, the Austin Skyline Cleaning team recommends “scrubbing tile and grout to make your home feel brand new.”
13. Conduct a walk-through with your landlord
Beyond traditional cleaning essentials, Rose Pulver, co-founder of The Thoughtful Home, says, “Be sure to ask your apartment manager to do a walk through and check for any potential issues with appliances, HVAC systems, pest control, and door and window security. They should also replace air vents, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors.”
