Spring Cleaning: Clean up your space and renew your spirit

I’m not sure who coined the phrase “spring cleaning”, but there is just something about spring that encourages us to renew, reorganize and refresh our homes and lives in general. Take advantage of this burst of spring fever energy to revitalize your surroundings and bring serenity and organization to your surroundings. Here are a few tips:

In the kitchen. Get rid of old bills, junk mail and papers littering your counters and junk drawers, and toss old magazines and catalogs into the recycle bin. Wipe down cabinets (especially in areas where grease can accumulate). Toss some lemon rinds in your garbage disposal and run with warm water to eliminate odors, and wash out and deodorize your kitchen trash can. Clean out your refrigerator and give it a good wipe down both inside and out.

Deep clean. Take this time to deep clean areas that don’t get regular attention such as baseboards, windows and windowsills, ceiling fans, walls, switch plates, window blinds, etc. A little vinegar/warm water mixture is great for deodorizing and cutting grime. Now is a good time to have carpets, tile and area rugs deep cleaned as well.

Bedding, upholstery and window treatments. For bedding, wash your mattress covers, pillows, and comforters, and use vacuum attachments to vacuum mattresses. For window treatments, wash/dry clean curtains or just use your vacuum to dust off drapes. Use vacuum attachments to remove dust from upholstery (it is a good idea to do this on a more frequent basis).

Clean out closets. Obviously, the beginning of a new season is a great time to clean out your clothes closets, but don’t forget about linen closets and bathroom cabinets as well. Local animal shelters often welcome donations of old towels and blankets, so gather up your old, worn out linens and take them to the shelter of your choice.

Patios and outdoor areas.With the beautiful spring weather, you’re going to want to spend more time outdoors. Time to wipe down all of your patio furniture, pressure wash your decks, and maybe even add some new planters and flowers to your outdoor spaces. You may also want to spruce up your entry way with a new door wreath and welcome mat.

Garages. Garages often become the catch all of the home, but a few inexpensive plastic totes and easy to assemble shelving units go a long way in helping to better organize those garage odds and ends. Wall hooks can also be used to hang beach chairs, landscaping tools, and other items leaving your floor open and clutter-free.

It has been said that cleaning up and de-cluttering your home can actually reduce anxiety, boost your mood and make you more productive. So get out those rubber gloves, turn up the radio, and get to work! Once your spring cleaning is complete, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the spring and summer months in the serenity of your fresh, clean, organized environment.