The weather forecast in Kansas City this week is low 70’s with a mix of cloud cover, rain and occasional sun. Spring time is just around the corner and our house is no different from yours; windows open, blinds raised and cringed eyebrows from the winter’s dust, streaks, and clutter that has accumulated. I tell myself every year not to fall into the spring cleaning trap of being overwhelmed and then nothing gets done…it happens to the best of us. So, this year I started a “to clean list” early, have planned and will conquer winter’s leftovers this month. Hopefully, this blog inspires you to spring clean using some of these quick and easy spring cleaning tips for your home that I have found most useful.
Make a List and Recruit Help
Write down EVERYTHING from constructing a new play room to removing grime on your shower head and then prioritize it. I would love to repaint my whole kitchen but realistically that project can wait a little while. Spring cleaning day is family fun day in the Lundberg household… Not really, but a lot of the tasks can be easily shared and done by even the littlest member of our family.
These 5 tasks made it to the top of our priority list and here are some of our quick and easy spring cleaning tips to combat them.
Dust
- Start by changing the filter on your furnace if you haven’t already done so in the last 30 days, this one is a no brainer in our house. This small task can eliminate dust and other allergens circulating and accumulating in your house.
- Dust your horizontal blinds from top to bottom using a feather duster, microfiber cloth, dryer sheet, or use a vacuum attachment. Ceiling fans accumulate a lot of dust too; very carefully use an old T-shirt or pillowcase to swipe dust onto the floor where you can vacuum it up.
- Lastly, wash all vent covers in warm soapy water or in the dishwasher.
Streaks
- There is nothing more irritating than window streaks on the outside or inside of windows. I’ve found a solution of 1 part white vinegar, 1 part water, & 2-3 drops dish liquid to be the best solution to leave windows streak free but make sure you use a lint free cloth or paper towel.
- This may be a place to recruit a person who is comfortable on a ladder for taller windows or a time to hire a professional if you’d like every window in your home to be cleaned.
Grime
- Vinegar, baking soda and lemons go a long way in this category. Water buildup on shower faucets and sink faucets can be cured by securing a baggie full of vinegar around the faucet for an hour and then wipe the leftover soap scum away.
- There are times I am not quite sure what gets put down our garbage disposal. I have found that a mixture of 1/4 cup baking soda (first) followed by 1/2 cup vinegar neutralizes odors as well as break down left over food particles.
- Lastly, cleaning microwave grime is as simple as boiling water and cut lemons in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave. The steam released helps to easily wipe away any splattered food.
De-Clutter
- This is probably my favorite spring cleaning task. In the winter, we seem to keep old magazines longer, keep clothes that don’t fit, and store excess toys underneath beds. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn it, read it or played with it in the last four months, you probably aren’t going to.
- Recycle old magazines and newspapers, have your kids create piles of now/later/never toys, go through everyone’s clothing, take inventory and then donate or replenish what you need to.
- Organize toys in clear toy bins, and tidy closet shelves with labeled containers to refresh that tired winter feel.
Rejuvenate
- Rejuvenate the air you breathe by adding child friendly plants like the Areca Palm or the Money Plant to freshen the air you breathe.
- Rearrange furniture or decorations to give your living room a new feel for spring.
- Lastly, waken your spring spirit with an outdoor family game or walk around the block.
So, welcome this year’s early spring with these quick and easy spring cleaning tips for your home. Open your blinds, let the sun in and enjoy a real family fun day in the nice days to come.
