Well, it was hard to believe it would ever happen, but Spring has finally appeared in Toronto. Which means two things – patio weather and packing away the winter gear for at least a few months. Spring is also a great time to clear out the clutter you’ve been collecting and really give yourself a fresh start now that the warm weather has decided to grace us with its presence.
Here are a few of our tips on how you can start Spring cleaning no matter what size your place might be:
Winter Jackets/Boots
Throw your mitts, hats and scarves in the wash, send your jackets to the dry cleaners and give your boots a good cleaning to get rid of all that salt and slush. This way when Winter shows up again, your gear is ready to go. This is also a good time to make any minor repairs like loose buttons or holes in your pockets.
Bed Linens/Pillows
Although you should be cleaning your bed linens about every 2 weeks or so, this is a great time to consider replacing some items. New pillows are always a great idea and it’s important to change them every 6-12 months. Casper Pillows are a great option if you are looking to buy new ones and are designed in a way that makes them super easy to clean. The outer pillow acts as a protective cover for the more sensitive inner pillow, shielding it from dust mites and other not-so-fun things. When it’s time for a fresh start, just unzip it, and throw it in the wash. Other tips to keep your pillows up to “fluff”? Wash the pillow protectors at least once a month, change your pillowcases regularly, and fluff them every day if you can
Patio/Balcony
Since you’ll be spending more time outdoors, Spring is a great time to clean up your balcony, dust off the old patio furniture and maybe consider what plants or greenery you might want to grow over the warmer months. Never a bad time to consider growing your own herbs.
Closet Cleanout
Aside from cleaning and packing up all the winter knits, consider going through your closet and either discarding or donating clothes that you don’t wear anymore. A great system to know what you’re wearing is to flip the hanger the opposite way when you hang the clothing back in your closet after wearing it. After a few months, if you see the same items haven’t been worn, it might be time to get rid of them.
Refrigerator
Spring cleaning doesn’t necessarily always mean physically cleaning. It can also mean rethinking the way you eat. This is a great time to go through your fridge or pantry and get rid of expired products and junk food. No time like the present to get that healthy eating started. Stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables and think about making meal plans to keep you on track to meet your goals.
Appliance Clean up
After cooking all those delicious comfort foods during the cold months, our appliances can get pretty soiled. This is a great time to pull out the heavy appliances from the walls, clean the floors behind them and the appliances inside out. Consider using more natural products to avoid inhaling/consuming toxic fumes. Especially with the appliances you use for cooking.
Ceilings
When cleaning it’s important to work from the top down. That way whatever dust and debris you clean falls to the ground which you can then later dust or sweep. Take out your broom and clean out those cobwebs in the corners of your ceilings and dust your light fixtures.
Windows & Walls
Give your windows a good clean to let in all that sunshine and wipe down walls which get exposed to dirt like the kitchen, bathroom and even the doors. Also, wipe down your light switches and door knobs since they come in contact with a lot of hands. If you’re feeling REALLY inspired, think about repainting!
Floors
The floors could always use a good wipe-down but this is a great time to really get down to the details. Get underneath the tables, couch, bed and definitely make sure you give those baseboards a dusting.
Curtains
Curtains are most often the most forgotten part of the house, but can you imagine how much dust they collect? Throw them in the wash to give them a good clean. If you have blinds, consider taking them down and giving them a good dusting/wash as well.
No matter how you tackle Spring Cleaning it’s important to make it fun. Especially if you’re not considering a commercial cleaning company. Play some upbeat music, turn the tasks into a game or simply recruit some friends and family to help out. You’ll get your place shiny and new in no time!