Strategies for Successful Spring Cleaning
Do you know how did “the ritual of spring-cleaning” develop?
Long before all the modern convince we know and have today, homes were lit by gas or candlelight and heated with coal, oil and/or wood. Back then, winters natural companions were smoke, soot and grime. Once winter was over and spring arrived, the doors were thrown open and of course everything – curtains, rugs, furniture, cupboards, and more – was scrubbed out, swept out, aired out, and cleaned out.
Fast-forward today, our HVAC System-heated buildings don’t collect that same intensity of dirt, there is a lot of the winter dingies that still creep inside our homes. Being in Chicagoland, with our always changing and challenging weather conditions, we are kept indoors all too long; then, of course, our natural instincts are to make everything look fresh and bright as soon as that first whiff of spring come.
Here are few strategies to help you achieve spring cleaning success:
Strategy #1: Make a Plan
- Decide on your cleaning strategy. For some people clean one room at a time is a more effective way and for others grouping tasks –such as windows cleaning in whole house at once is preferable.
- Prioritize. Make a list of tasks, and if one room at a time is the way to go, then decide on the order. We suggest that you start with the rooms that get the most traffic or need the most work first.
- Consider the big stuff. Do the comforters, blankets, bed skirts, slipcovers and shower curtains need to be laundered? What about your area rugs, carpets, upholstery and draperies? Are they due for professional cleaning? Once these items are scheduled and are on their way to getting cleaned, it will be easier to tackle the rest of your space.
Strategy #2: Inventory Your Supplies
- Before you start cleaning, make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand.
- Some of the basics that should be included are: a powerful, plant based all-purpose spray cleaner, a plant based all-purpose liquid cleaner, a gentle “scratch-free” and nonabrasive household scrub such as Bon Ami Powder Cleanser, plant-based disinfectant, glass cleaner, plant-based multi-surface-dusting product (such as microfiber cloths, mitt or duster, clean cotton cloths, Endust spray) and toilet bowl cleaner.
- You may also need to add cleaner’s specific to your surfaces, such as granite cleaners and stainless steel polisher and/or your personal preferences, such as special-purpose sprays and wipes. Don’t forget to check your supply of trash bags and vacuum cleaner bags.
Strategy #3: Clear It Out
Start by getting rid of the things that you are not using or needing but that are needlessly filling up your home.
- Donate it. Items that are in good condition but no longer fit your lifestyle or are no longer needed can be donated to a charity and some of them offer pick up service. Such charities are: The Salvation Army, Vietnam Veterans of America, Habitat for Humanity, The Furniture Bank Network, The Arc or Freecycle. All of these are nonprofit organizations and they all have a web-base donation pickup scheduling, visit them for more information.
- Recycle it. Even though most of us are reading online, somehow we still collect the paper versions of newspaper, magazines, etc. Gather up any of the newspapers and those magazines (since no one has quite gotten around reading them). If your waste company also recycles and collects mixed papers, then start a bin where you can toss those papers as you clean.
- Convenience: Prepare smaller, lighter containers since they are easier to carry and store at home.
- Sell it. If you have items that are in excellent condition but that you no longer need, collect them in one spot, and then, once spring cleaning is done, decide how to dispose of them. An estate sale, garage sale or consignment shops are a great way to get rid of those items.
Strategy #4: Recruit Help
Do not do everything yourself, it is not necessary.
- Enlist family members. Start early and plan or establish a “Spring Cleaning Day”. Announce it to family members and tell them it will be fun. Have lunch preplanned and made or maybe delivered so that your helpers don’t lose momentum. Assign tasks according to age and ability and make it fun. Play funky music that keeps everyone’s energy up. Hide some of your helpers favorite treats in places that need to be cleaned (for treasure hunting).
- Pair up with a friend. If you live alone, family members live far or can’t help, pick some of your like-minded friend and pair up to clean together. Clean your house in the morning and his/hers in the afternoon or schedule a different or second day.
- Call in the professionals. After you have removed the clutter, you don’t have to do any of the cleaning yourself.
You can call Wiz Team (847) 264-4946 and schedule to have us come in and wash the windows, buff the floors, clean the carpets, clean the upholstery, clean the air duct system… or any other majority cleaning. It’s not necessary to do everything yourself – we are here to help.
