Spring Cleaning for Homeowners

Spring is just around the corner! Tips to freshen up your home 

Days are getting longer and warmer, and flower buds are peaking out of the ground. It's finally here, Springtime! The most anticipated season in the Pacific Northwest after months of rain and gray skies. Around this time of year, we have an age-old tradition of dusting off winter by freshening up our homes, decluttering, and preparing our yards for spring foliage. Here we will provide you with some spring cleaning tips to bring out the best in your home. 

Create a plan and set realistic goals

Before you begin sprucing up your property, consider creating a plan of action. First, you’ll need to identify which areas of your home need the most attention, as well as the areas that have been bugging you the most. Spring cleaning is a time to address issues around the home you may have been noticing over the long winter. A sense of relief and relaxation is often felt when we have less on our todo lists. Therefore, spring cleaning should be a therapeutic process that creates a space you can relax in. 

It's important to set realistic goals for yourself as you develop your spring cleaning plan. Taking on too much can lead to more stress. So sit down for a few minutes and think about the things that you’ve been noticing the most over the last six months and any issues around your home that need immediate attention. In addition, set a timeline for your plan. Do you plan on doing all your spring cleaning in one day? A few hours over several weekends? You can create a schedule for the action items you have identified once you’ve determined the time you have to commit to spring cleaning. This may seem a little over the top, but if you set aside 15 minutes to develop a plan and timeline you will feel focused and relaxed about your upcoming projects. 

Declutter

Did you know that managing and reducing clutter is proven to reduce stress and anxiety? It can be challenging to part with items, but once you do you’ll feel relieved to have less clutter and more space. Go through each room and identify items that you no longer need. You can also tackle a different closet or cabinet daily. Set aside 10 minutes to go through one of these areas, and quickly pick out a few items you are willing to part with. Consider storing out-of-season clothing in vacuum-sealed bags to save space. Finally consider donating or even selling items that are in good condition.

Wash windows, curtains, and bedding

Winter can leave windows looking dirty and dull. Wash the inside and outside of your windows to allow in more natural light. If you own a pressure washer consider rinsing window screens to remove built up dirt. Wash curtains and bedding, and consider switching out to lighter bedding for the warmer months coming. Cleaning your bedding, including pillows will reduce allergens and dust mites. 

Clean out your fridge and freezer

Is your fridge starting to feel overwhelming, with little space to store new items? Dig into your freezer and see what’s on the bottom. How old is it? If you move these items front and center will they be eaten sooner, or did it end up on the bottom or back of the fridge for a reason? Time to go through and get rid of expired foods. Take everything out and clean shelves and bins. Check to see if dust and pet dander have accumulated under and behind the fridge. This can often lead to clogged fans and overheating.

Deep clean carpets and floors

Winter can be hard on carpets and floors, especially if you live in a location where salt is used on roads and pavement. This is the perfect time to thoroughly clean your floors. For high traffic carpet areas consider renting a steam cleaner for an extra deep cleaning. Deep cleaning your floors and carpet will reduce allergens and dust mites, make your home smell fresher, and increase the life expectancy of your flooring.

Check Appliances 

We use our appliances and heating/cooling units endlessly without thinking about the basic maintenance they require, yet they can be incredibly expensive to replace. Make sure to clean all filters on your heating and cooling units if present. Remove debris that's accumulated around your heating and cooling units outside. Are the seals on your fridge, oven, and dishwasher cracked or not sealing correctly? These kinds of minor issues can lead to tons of lost money by reducing the efficiency of your appliances. Give your appliances a thorough cleaning as well.

Prepare your property for spring

Spring brings life back to our property. If you have a yard, clean up debris, such as leaves and branches, that has accumulated over the fall and winter. Add some compost to flower and vegetable gardens to improve the soil health. This may also be the ideal time to do landscaping, as many plants are just barely coming out of the ground. Have you wanted to add a stone pathway or border to your flower gardens, get out on a nice pre-spring day and enjoy the fresh air. You will find spending some focused time in your yard will reduce stress and provide exercise. Listen to the birds chirping and enjoy finding little new growth poking out of the ground. Cleaning debris around the edge of your home will improve the longevity of your foundation. If you have noticed water pooling around your foundation during the winter or have seen water penetrating into your crawlspace or basement, this is the time to contact someone about installing a french drain. If you don’t have a yard and live in a condo or townhome, clean your porches or balconies. Add a fun decoration to your door, or purchase an indoor plant to bring the outdoors inside. Create a space you can relax in and enjoy nature.

In conclusion, spring cleaning can feel overwhelming, but if you follow our tips you will tackle so much with ease. Create a plan, timeline, declutter, deep clean, maintain your appliances, and spruce up your property. Your home will feel tidy, fresh and clean, which can reduce your stress. It may also be time to consider maintenance inspection. Have you lived in your home for over 10 years? Performing a maintenance inspection can help you prioritize future projects. This is also a great way to identify minor issues before they become major headaches. Happy spring cleaning!