A New Season and A New Beginning
“Has it really been almost a year since I last put off spring cleaning?”
Spring is the season of new beginnings and a chance to bring some new life to your home — inside and out. After months of hibernation,as humans we need to reinvigorate our home, as well as, ourselves. We find ourselves energized with a craving to open all the windows, breathe in fresh air, and start anew.
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” — Leo Tolstoy
Here are some tips on Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning Inside
1. Time to De-Clutter – Clutter adds stress to our lives. It also can be a health risk, especially for those that suffer from allergies. Here is a way to have fun with de-cluttering – each day, for a month, choose one item you never use and get rid of it. Don’t just throw them out, donate those no-longer used items and let them be a treasure for someone in need.
“If you want to get rid of stuff, you can always do a good spring cleaning. Or you can do what I do. Move.”
— Ellen DeGeneres
2. Most of us have a normal cleaning routine but during Spring Cleaning, clean the areas you normally don’t clean. Give them a good scrub and let them shine after a dreary winter. Clean your windows and bask in the sunshine, make sure to also clean the window sills. Give beds, underneath and on top, a good cleaning. This will rid your home of dust mites that have burrowed down during the long winter. Don’t forget the ducts, who knows what they collected during winter.
3. GO GREEN – avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning and go green. Health matters when cleaning and this website has a great list of just plain old household items that do the job. Protect yourself — cleaning distrubs winter dust so don’t forget to wear rubber gloves, wear a mask so you don’t breathe it in, and wear protective clothing.
4. Clean the drawers in the bedroom, the bathroom, and kitchen. We tend to just throw everything in a drawer – out of sight, out of mind — so use this time to throw away old items, dispose of unused medication at an authorized medication drop off point, wipe down the drawers, then reorganize.
5. Add Color – after a dull grey winter, brighten a room or area with splashes of color. Think Spring inside and out.
Need a List? Here is a great list you can print and follow while Spring Cleaning.
“Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a dreaded list of chores. It can be a rewarding experience that helps provide some structure and organization in your life.”
— Peter Walsh
Spring Cleaning Outside
1. Don’t start too early. – bees and other pollinators hibernate in plant stems and leaves over winter. This may accidentally kill them and we need them to do their job.
2. Remove all of the rotted/dead mulch, plants, weeds etc. Prune shrubs so they can enter spring with new life.
3. Spruce up the lawn. After a long winter, the lawn needs nutrients and a good cleaning.
4. Is your home safe? Are shrubs and plants too tall and close to windows? They provide the perfect opportunity for a prowler to hide. And it prevents neighbors or the local police the ability to detect if something is off or if there is danger. Do you have sufficient lighting? Is the lighting motion-activated?
5. Add some street appeal – Power wash and clean the walkways. Fix broken areas. If you have a fence or deck, give them good scrubbing or a new paint job. Clean the patio furniture and the bbq. Don’t forget the gutters and spouts.
Do you own a Boat? Don’t forget to Spring Clean It
Before you launch, give the boat a thorough cleaning inside and out. After all, it has been hibernating all winter too. Discover Boating had a great list on cleaning a boat.
