For some, hearing “spring cleaning” will illicit groans of anguish and shrieks of terror. It might be because cleaning your house from head-to-toe is a big job, or that parting with much-beloved clutter is enough to intimidate even the most veteran of tidy troopers.
Nevertheless, April is here and (whether we like it or not) that means the month of cleaning is, too. But look at it like this: The arsenal of cleaning supplies you’ll need for your spring cleaning utility belt provides you a rare moment to choose special products that will effectively clean your home and help care for the environment.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive “how-to” guide to lighten the load. So, breathe easy; this only seems impossible from afar.
First on the list?
Minimize
It’s biologically ingrained in us to keep more than we need(1). So, rewiring our brains to get rid of the old to make way for the new can be an Everest of a challenge. The best piece of advice we can give? Minimize clutter to maximize space.
A big component of the spring cleaning blues is having to part with the clutter you’ve become accustomed to. There’s another way to look at it, though. You know that nightstand you haven’t used in years and bump into each and every time you head to bed? Start there. If you can’t remember using something and can’t imagine when you will next, chances are you never will.
But minimizing doesn’t end with furniture and old clothes. Digitalization is a major boon when trying to downsize your mess. Old papers from college, crumpled receipts and photos that never leave their shoe box can be transferred and saved to your computer through the miracle of technology. Don’t have a scanner? Many printing services and office supply chains offer scanning services for very little money.
And while some paper needs to be tossed, others serve a purpose. Case in point: Lists.
Make Lists
When you itemize anything and everything, it’s easier to see the lay of the land and reduce the intimidation of taking on house-wide grime.
Some common spring cleaning goals(2):
Wipe walls and ceilings
Reseal grout lines
Vacuum and shampoo rugs
Dust books and shelves
Clean upholstered furnishings
Wash all clothes and fabrics
Thoroughly dust your home
Wax wooden furniture
Check fire safety
Wash window screens
Clean special dinnerware that has collected dust
Wax non-wood floors
Now speaking of lists, it’s time to make a list of cleaning supplies.
Shop Responsibly
When considering which cleaning products to enlist on your war against dirt, it’s important to consider what exactly is inside the bottle.
Products like the ones featured in Modere’s household line bring a whole new dimension to your spring cleaning.
A home cleaned with ‘clean label’ products can lead to a clean conscience, turning simple spring cleaning into something more: It’s a moment to consciously opt for products that are better for your family, your home and the world around you.
And that’s pretty much all there is to it. Spring cleaning, sans groans of anguish.
(1)Amy Bucher, Ph. D. Why We Keep Things We Don’t Need: The Psychological Weight of “Stuff”. amybucherphd.com.
(2) Martha Stewart. Spring-Cleaning Checklist. marthastewart.com
