Spring Cleaning Your Way to a Fresh Start

Spring Cleaning can illicit visions of aprons, pink rubber gloves, and feather dusters a plenty.  At least that’s how I like to picture myself in cleaning mode.  Taking the time to roll up our sleeves and do some of that heavy-duty cleaning and organizing that does not make the regular maintenance list can be tasking, but it can also be very rewarding.  Nothing says spring like a new level of fresh and clean.

Go past the usuals – the dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bathroom cleaning.  Consider these areas to really put the elbow grease to in order to start anew this March:

Window treatments – Blinds could use a thorough wiping down, and curtain panels could use a spin in the washer and dryer if the fabric allows.  Give the windows themselves the wax-on-wax-off treatment as well.

Up High and Down Low – Clean ceiling fan blades and ceiling air events.  Dust the tops of high pieces of furniture like armoires and entertainment centers.  Use the brush attachment with your vacuum cleaner hose and go over the baseboards in each room.  Rugs could also use a shampooing.

Behind and Underneath – Move large furniture pieces (with some help) like dressers, beds, and couches to clean their backs, along the wall and baseboard, and underneath.  Vacuum hose attachments greatly aid this task as well. 

 Spring Cleaning can also be a great time to cast off some of the excess and strive for more organized, paired-down spaces.  Go through closets and dresser drawers to remove clothing and accessories that never saw the light of day this winter, and send them off to a resale shop or donation center.  Here are some categories that could use a good look:

Jewelry – Assess what you do and do not wear, and remove the pieces that consistently get overlooked.  This will help your jewelry storage method look tidy and ready to wear.

Shoes – We love our boots and heels, but we can literally walk the soles right off of them.  Inspect your footwear for sets that have seen better days.  Shop for next fall’s replacements at today’s after-winter sales. 

The Works – For the cleaner serious about clearing out, go through it all: undies, socks, hosiery, slips, pajamas, swimwear, scarves, belts, and exercise wear.  If you’re not wearing it, it’s just taking up space that could be used to house new purchases this season. 

 Even one weekend’s worth of work can make a big impact on your home.  And then you could sit back with a tall glass of lemonade and drink in the feeling of being totally ready for a true spring break.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 11th.