Springtime is just around the corner, and while we are firm believers that a good spring clean is not just for spring, this is the perfect time get down and dirty to clear the dust bunnies, cumulated clutter, and negative energy from your home and harmonise with the fresh, optimistic, and uplifting qualities that comes with every new springtime.
So grab your mop and feather duster and meander with us through the spring clean journey…
Decamp the Dust Bunnies
If miniature tumbleweeds have taken up residence in your home it’s time for a showdown and this is one battle you are definitely going to win.
Before you get started, it’s a good idea to declutter the space (maybe tackle a room or a level at a time, or if you’re feeling brave, you can blitz the whole house). Evict anything you don’t need or haven’t used since, well, your last spring clean, then take the opportunity to throw cushion covers, throws, curtains in the wash, or take them to the dry cleaner. Remove rugs and hang them outside to air and freshen – remember, sunlight is a great cleanser and will rid your floor covering of any lurking mites. Once your space is clearer you can pull out all the furniture and get down to vacuuming in every conceivable nook and cranny.
Cull your Closets
To really do justice to your spring clean you need get into every cupboard and turf out all the unnecessary accumulated ‘stuff’ that seems to build up in every possible piece of storage space. Create bags or boxes of items for the charity store, things you might want to sell, and rubbish. You will feel so much lighter and inspired to maintain a tidy space.
Then you can remove all the contents of each cupboard (one by one, we suggest) and give the inside a good vacuum and wipe with your favourite cleaning product – try to go natural whenever possible to avoid adding to the toxic load of your home.
Banish the Blemishes
Stubborn stains build up over time, on walls, carpets, and the myriad hard and soft surfaces around your home. Now is a great time to srub away, lift, or erase those stains. You will need to do some research on the best methods to remove certain stains, but again, we find natural products like white vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, lemon juice etc. is a great starting point to make a decent dent in most stains that have overstayed their welcome.
Aerate your Abode
Time to cleanse the energy in your home. Throw open all the windows and doors, clean the air con filters, any air vents, and ceiling fans and fill the place with fresh air for the day. You can also burn sage or Palo Santo wood for a purifying spiritual cleanse.
Attack the Appliances
Appliances like your refrigerator, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee maker, etc. can build up a motley crew of undesirable grime and bacteria. Yes, it’s time for the dreaded fridge and oven clean – in fact, any appliance that gets used daily deserves at least an annual deep clean. We’ve covered these in other articles, so we won’t dwell on the detail here. Suffice to say, they will require attention, and this can take up quite a bit of time, so if you’re spring cleaning over the weekend, you might need to dedicate a good half day to this, which will not only improve the general health of your kitchen but extend the life of your appliances.
Blitz your Bedding
You should really be cleaning your pillows, doonas, and mattresses every three months, as that is the reproductive cycle of dust mites and bed bugs. Washing and drying them in the sunshine is great if you have the capacity in your machine, otherwise, you might need to send them out to a laundry service. Another great alternative is UV light treatment, which is a safe, effective, and non-toxic way to banish the bugs.
Wash your Windows
Don’t let all your wonderful work go to waste by leaving your widows less than sparkling. Clean inside and out with soapy water (and a little vinegar), including the frames and surrounds to make your home look inviting and allow all that lovely springtime light to flood in.
There is definitely something supremely satisfying about conquering all the accumulated dust, grime and clutter, bringing order to the chaos, and breathing new life into your living space. The transformation itself feels very therapeutic and will renew your pride and pleasure in your home.
You also get to relish the joy of a job well done and earn yourself some well-deserved downtime, relaxing in your rejuvenated haven.
And remember, if this all sounds wonderful, but really isn’t your cup of tea. Well, it is most definitely our cup of tea, and cake, with a cherry on top. So if outsourcing the spring cleaning sounds more appealing, you know where we are…