As the season of new beginnings, there is no better time to kick off some good habits than at the start of the spring season. Fresh flowers, rain showers, and some good ol’ spring cleaning will have you feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on whatever life throws at you this year.
While it may seem like a daunting task, this deep clean has been an important yearly task for centuries. So, to make this chore a little easier for you, we will provide some spring cleaning tips to make your home glisten and impress your house guests.
Before we do, have you ever wondered how the tradition of spring cleaning started? Let’s discuss how this customary cleaning became a staple in our lives.
Why Do We Have Spring Cleaning?
The history of spring cleaning actually dates back thousands of years and is prevalent in a number of different cultures around the world. For example, the Torah commands not to leave a crumb of leaven in the house, so preparation for the Judeo-Christian tradition of Passover involves a deep cleaning.
There is also a spring tradition in Persian culture that dates back 3,000 years called khane-tekani. In this tradition, people believed that cleaning dust from the home and decluttering the space would “prevent ill fortune in the upcoming year.”
In general, spring cleaning arises from the need to clear out the dust and clutter that accumulates from winter. Also, spring cleaning introduces psychological benefits such as improved mood, reduced stress, and increased creativity.
So, now that you have a little background information on this customary tradition, we will delve into some spring cleaning tips to start the season off on the right foot!
Make Your Home Glisten With These 8 Spring Cleaning Tips
When it comes to a chore like deep cleaning, it may be hard to get started. You might feel overwhelmed by the thought itself, so it is important to first set realistic expectations.
Begin by creating realistic goals for yourself. This could be from cleaning one room or closet at a time to allotting yourself a certain amount of hours to focus on a specific area or task. Whatever it is, make sure it is achievable.
- Clean the Kitchen
Kitchens have a habit of getting messy. Whether you have clutter in your refrigerator, pantry, cabinets, or countertops, you should set aside some time to really organize your kitchen space.
Start by cleaning out your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry and throw out anything that is expired. Wipe down the shelves, cabinets, and drawers of your kitchen to remove dust and other debris.
Spring cleaning tip: Consider donating any countertop appliances or cookware that you don’t use to free up space in your kitchen.
- Wash the Windows
The eyes are the window to the soul, and your windows are the reflection of your home. So, be sure to wash those smudges from your windows from the inside and outside to make your home look pristine.
Spring cleaning tip: If you are looking for a homemade window cleaner, try combining ¼ cup of white vinegar or lemon juice with ½ teaspoon of dish soap and 2 cups of warm water. Mix everything in an all-purpose spray bottle, and voilà! You have your own homemade window cleaner.
- Scrub the Bathroom
While you might clean your bathroom fairly often, take this time to really sanitize and disinfect your bathroom surfaces. Tubs, toilets, sinks, and tiles can quickly start to show grime, so be sure to get every nook and cranny in your bathrooms.
It is a good habit to frequently clean your bathrooms. Consider washing your shower liner, shower curtain, and bath mats to keep everything looking spotless. You might also want to take the time to toss out old bathroom products and start fresh this spring.
Spring cleaning tip: Try using one of 2023’s best-rated bathroom cleaners!
- Declutter Your Closets
Clearing out your closets might be the most daunting spring cleaning task. For more sentimental people, it can be hard to give away clothing or knick-knacks even if you don’t use them. But, we promise you’ll feel much better with a well-organized closet in your home.
Now that winter is over, you can tuck away those seasonal items toward the back and bring your spring and summer necessities toward the front of your closets. Use organizational racks and labeled bins so you can easily find what you’re looking for without being overwhelmed by clutter.
Spring cleaning tip: Use the one-in/one-out technique to keep your hoarding habits at a minimum. Every time you purchase a new item, donate an old one.
- Freshen the Furniture
Freshening up your furniture is an easy and effective way to showcase your spring cleaning skills. Switch out your winter accents with a pop of color, perhaps even a Viva Magenta throw pillow or blanket (Pantone’s color of the year), to give your living room or bedroom a spring revival.
Vacuum your soft furniture, wash your blankets, and fluff your pillows to make your living room or bedroom look as good as new.
Spring cleaning tip: To remove odors from couches, rugs, and other fabrics, sprinkle some baking soda, let it sit, and then vacuum the remnants.
- Dust the Overlooked Surfaces
It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty and sweep, dust, or buff those surfaces you may overlook in your own home. Wipe down your door frames and baseboards to remove scuffs and marks, and dust other hard-to-reach surfaces with a duster or dry wipe.
Also, don’t forget the outside of your home and clean out your gutters, vents, and drains since they can easily accumulate gunk if not cleaned frequently.
Spring cleaning tip: Use a Mr. Clean magic eraser or simply a wet sponge with some dish soap to easily clean up the marks on walls in your home.
- Liven Up Your Lanai or Porch
Sweep off the dirt and dust on your lanai or porch and wipe down your outdoor furniture to prepare for more frequent use in the warm months to come. For your outdoor furniture, you can also use a dab of dish soap and some wet paper towels to clean, or just use warm water.
You can also liven up your lanai, porch, or patio with some fresh flowers and inviting decorations to welcome springtime into your home.
Spring cleaning tip: Clean your screen enclosure with hot, soapy water and a soft brush to remove build-up on your lanai or screened-in porch.
- Create New Cleaning Habits
Like we said at the beginning, there’s no better time to create some good cleaning habits than at the start of the spring season. If you take it day by day and room by room, you can maintain a clean and happy house all throughout the year.
Plus, it will make next year’s spring cleaning a lot easier if you periodically deep clean your home. So, take this opportunity to start fresh and lean into good habits.
Apply These Spring Cleaning Tips to Your Own Minto Home
Whether you’re an avid cleaner or not, these spring cleaning tips will be sure to have your home feeling pristine as we welcome the warm months.
You can also enjoy springtime in one of our beautiful, award-winning homes in Minto communities located throughout Florida and South Carolina. With an incredible selection of home designs and resort-style amenities, every day feels like a breath of fresh air in a Minto community.
So, experience the joy of spring with Minto Communities. Contact us today!