Easy Methods to Maintain Your Home Almost Spick-and-Span throughout Spring (81%)
Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to freshen up your living space. BuzzFeed Staff has compiled a list of practical and straightforward spring cleaning tips to help you maintain a neat and tidy home efficiently.
Declutter First
Before diving into the deep cleaning, sort through your belongings and remove things you no longer need or use. Donate, recycle, or toss items to create more space and make cleaning easier.
Create a Cleaning Schedule
Break down your cleaning tasks into manageable chunks across days or rooms. This prevents feeling overwhelmed and keeps the process organized and efficient.
Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Simplify your cleaning supplies by using multi-surface cleaners that save time and money without compromising effectiveness.
Focus on High-Traffic Areas
Prioritize cleaning areas that accumulate the most dirt and clutter like entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms to make the biggest impact quickly.
Clean from Top to Bottom
Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves first, then clean lower surfaces and floors last to avoid having to re-clean areas.
Involve the Whole Family
Assign tasks to household members to speed up the cleaning process and make it less burdensome.
Don’t Forget Hidden Spots
Clean under furniture, inside appliances, and other often-neglected areas to maintain overall cleanliness.
Use Storage Solutions
Invest in baskets, bins, and organizers to keep items neat and easy to find, reducing future clutter.
Open Windows and Air Out
Ventilate your home during cleaning to remove dust and freshen the space naturally.
Set a Timer for Cleaning Sessions
Working in focused bursts (e.g., 20-30 minutes) can enhance productivity and make cleaning feel less daunting.
Practical Cleaning Solutions for Everyday Challenges
In addition to the general tips, here are some specific solutions to common cleaning problems:
- Absorbent, machine washable mats can prevent small spills from drying to a sticky mess on refrigerator shelves.
- Dawn's Foaming soap can help clean extra greasy dishes that won't fit in a dishwasher.
- Cleaning pods can be used in a Keurig coffee machine to clean the coffee maker in less than three minutes.
- Using a HEPA air purifier can help reduce pollen, dust, and wildfire smoke in the air, and keep furniture clean.
- A lint roller can quickly pick up dust on lampshades.
- Microwaving a bowl filled with water and lemon for three to five minutes, followed by leaving the door closed for a few minutes, can help remove dried-on food bits from the microwave.
- Laying down wax paper or paper bags on the tops of cabinets and furniture can catch greasy dust, which can be easily replaced during spring cleaning.
- A microfiber duster can attract and hold onto dust like a magnet, making it easier to clean surfaces.
- Water spotting and funky smells in the dishwasher can be eliminated by running a cycle with a cleaner and disinfectant designed for that purpose.
- A squeegee and water in a spray bottle can easily clean pet hair off furniture.
- A pet hair roller or a handheld pet hair vacuum can help pick up pet hair from upholstered surfaces.
- A 2-in-1 cleaner and polish can help eliminate smears and fingerprints on stainless-steel appliances.
- Items such as glass, nonrusting metal, or plastic can be cleaned in the dishwasher without the heat cycle.
- Dawn and hydrogen peroxide, followed by baking soda and a dish brush, can clean a cooktop or stove in five minutes.
- A deshedding brush can help prevent future shedding by removing excess hair from pets before it settles on furniture.
- Candles designed to eliminate pet or lingering food smells can help make a room smell fresh.
These practical tips and solutions from BuzzFeed Staff aim to make your spring cleaning process easier, more efficient, and less daunting. Happy cleaning!
Use storage solutions such as baskets, bins, and organizers to keep your home-and-garden lifestyle organized, reducing future clutter. Don't forget hidden spots like under furniture, inside appliances, and often-neglected areas when focusing on spring cleaning.
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