Happy Spring! It’s finally time to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and take on the annual spring cleaning. Time to shake off the cobwebs of winter and breathe new life into our surroundings. Not only will spring cleaning give you a happier, more welcoming living environment, but it’s also it’s an opportunity to create a healthier home space that nurtures both body and mind.
Here are some tips for spring cleaning every room of your home
1. Open the windows
If it’s a nice day outside, open the windows of your house. According to the EPA, indoor air is 2 to 5, and sometime even 100 times more toxic than outdoor air. Let the stale air out and the fresh air in.
Check out this post for more information on indoor air quality and my favorite air purifier.
2. Use natural cleaning products whenever possible
Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products that are free of harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils are effective natural alternatives for cleaning and disinfecting various surfaces.
3. Use newspaper to clean glass and mirrors
A great way to recycle the old newspaper. Use it for cleaning glass and mirrors. Unlike paper towels, it doesn’t leave lint behind.
4. Vacuum everywhere, under everything
One of the best investments you can make for your home is a high quality vacuum with HEPA filtration. HEPA stands or high-efficiciency particulate air. Ever experienced a time vacuuming when you felt like you were just circulating dirt from the ground into the air? If so, you probably weren’t using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A good vacuum should trap all of the particles it sucks up, not just the large stuff.
Vacuum all wall corners, window sills, all carpets and flooring, under all couches, tables, beds, dressers, and everywhere in between.
5. Wipe down baseboards and walls
Freshen up your baseboards and walls by wiping them down with a cleaning wipe or damp soapy cloth.
6. Wash curtains and drapes
Curtains and drapes hold a lot of dust! Shake them out outdoors and wash according to the instructions on the tags.
7. Toss out the air fresheners and synthetic candles
Air fresheners and conventional candles can be very toxic. When using these products, you’re essentially spraying or burning chemicals into the air you breathe. They may smell nice, but they are chemicals, and can wreak havoc on your long-term health. A natural alternative: essential oils.
Not ready to give up candles? Check out this Non-Toxic Candle Guide for information on the top natural and clean burning candles.
8. Declutter the closets
Decluttering helps de-stress your life, create more space, and you can even make some money in the process. You can bring unwanted clothes, shoes, hats, belts, etc. to a local clothing drop box or Salvation Army/Goodwill, a thrift or second-hand store, have a lawn sale, or post your items to Facebook Marketplace or other online marketplace. Any un-sellable/un-donatable tee-shirts can be used as cleaning rags.
9. Wipe all ceiling fan blades with a damp cloth
We don’t turn the ceiling fans on often in our home over the winter, so by March, they’re usually pretty dusty! If you’re in the same boat, wipe the dust off the top of the blades with a damp cloth before turning your ceiling fans on this season. You don’t want to throw all of that dust around!
10. Refresh your mattress
Yep, there’s a way to clean that too. Strip your bed and throw everything (mattress cover and all) in the wash on hot water with detergent and a capful of distilled white vinegar. Next, put a cup or two of baking soda into a mason jar with 10 – 20 drops of your favorite essential oil (Lavender is recommended for sleep), and shake well. Evenly distribute the baking soda/essential oil mix directly onto the mattress, and let it sit. The baking soda will draw out moisture from the mattress, while the essential oil fights bacteria and freshens the scent. After about an hour, vacuum the mattress well to remove the baking soda.
11. Change or wash the shower curtain
If your shower curtain is covered in mildew and soap scum, change it out with a new one or put it in the wash with your regular detergent, a splash of vinegar, and a couple towels.
12. Toss the old toothbrush, razor, makeup, and contact lens case
If you’ve been using the same toothbrush, razor, and/or contact case for a while, use this as your reminder to replace them now. Toothbrushes and contact lens cases should be replaced about every 3 months, while razors should be replaced at least a couple times a month.
13. Care for your couch
Vacuum all cushions, under the cushions, and under the couch itself. There are a few methods to cleaning cushions, depending on the type of material they are made of. One method is to cover the cushion in baking soda, let sit, and vacuum off. Another is to use soapy water (depending on the fabric) and give it a good scrub.
14. Toss plastic food containers, water bottles, and cooking utensils
Avoid plastic whenever possible when it comes to your food and beverages! Plastic containers break down over time and release chemicals into the food and liquid that we store in them. Glass containers are the way to go. Plastic cooking utensils release chemicals into foods at high heat, and have the potential to melt and contaminate food. Replace your plastic cooking utensils with stainless steel or wooden ones.
Here’s a related post you may be interested in: 10 Things to Toss For A Healthier Home.
15. Wash the kitchen cabinets and cupboards
Kitchen cabinets are exposed to lots of bacteria, grease. Even if you can’t see the grime, it’s probably there. Give your kitchen cabinets some TLC by washing with a cloth and soapy hot water.
16. Deep clean the fridge
Have some old open salad dressings and condiments in there from 2 years ago? Chuck ’em! Toss every food item that you don’t foresee using. Unload everything else onto the counters for the time being and get to cleaning and disinfecting the interior of your fridge and freezer. Don’t forget to vacuum the coils under the fridge for more efficient running.
17. Load up the dishwasher
A dishwasher is good for not only cleaning your dishes, but also spring cleaning and sanitizing household fixtures. Place items like toothbrush holders, oven knobs, sponges, etc. right into your dishwasher so it can do the dirty work for you. Just make sure nothing in there will melt from the high heat!
18. Clean the dishwasher
You may think that your dishwasher gets a good deep clean each time you run it, but it’s not always so. Over time, your dishwasher can get caked with grease and food debris that you don’t even see. To give your dishwasher a deep spring cleaning, clear the drain of any grime or debris, put bowl of vinegar on the top rack, and run a full cycle on hot water. When that cycle is done, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher and run on a rinse cycle.
19. Replace filters
Replace the furnace and air-condition filters as needed. Used filters are likely to be loaded with mold and allergens, so change them regularly for good respiratory health. Clean filters also mean more efficient energy use.
20. Have the air ducts cleaned
An often overlooked area of the home is the air ducts and vents. Dirty air ducts contribute to poor indoor air quality. Having the air ducts cleaned rids them of airborne particles such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores, bringing significant improvement to the quality of your home’s air.
21. Clean the washing machine
A cleaner washing machine means cleaner clothes, and can also mean money saved by more efficient use. Run your washer (empty) on a small load hot water cycle with a mixture of 4 cups white vinegar and a cup baking soda.
Happy spring cleaning!