With most schools, businesses, and restaurants shut down, many people are spending more quality time at home. However, some may be wondering how to fill this spare time while abiding by social distancing recommendations. You can only binge-watch your favorite show for so long before going stir-crazy, so this extended time indoors may be a good opportunity to get ahead on spring cleaning. This is no small task, so here are a few tips and tricks that can help you tackle a dirty house with ease.
Take Advantage of Your Newfound Spare Time
Starting spring cleaning is admittedly daunting. However, due to the current stay at home order, you have a unique opportunity to take your time cleaning and spread projects out. Now is the time to tackle endeavors that would have otherwise been shunned for more exciting outdoor activities.
Start With a To-Do List
When creating your list of all the things at home you would like to organize or clean, shoot for the moon and then divide and conquer! Crafting a calendar and assigning tasks to do each day encourages a cleaning routine that is productive and not so overwhelming.
Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is the time to buckle down on the tasks you avoid doing throughout the year.
1. Make Your Own Household Cleaners
If you are out of cleaning products and cannot find any in stores, DIY substitutes are a great alternative. You likely have the right ingredients on hand for DIY disinfectants, cleaning wipes, window washers, and even stainless-steel cleaners. Using these alternatives are a great way to save money and ditch the harsh chemicals.
2. Clean Vents and Baseboards
Vent covers accumulate dust over time, so cleaning them may reduce allergens in your home, while also increasing the efficiency of your air conditioning. Allergy-proofing your home can help mitigate dreaded springtime allergies.
3. Clean Under the Bed
Vacuuming is a popular chore on the weekly to-do list, but can you recall the last time you cleaned under the bed? You would be surprised at how many missing phone chargers and old photos you find after emptying out storage boxes and vacuuming!
4. Go the Extra Mile
To keep coronavirus at bay, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect commonly touched items. Remember to clean all door handles, stairwell rails, remotes, phones, and your kids’ toys. Washing reusable grocery bags is also a good idea.
Tidy Up
Feeling claustrophobic? It may be time to donate or discard items you no longer need from your closet to your kitchen.
1. Take on the Closets
Face it, even the tidiest people still have a messy closet. There is no better time to organize it than during spring cleaning! The most thorough way to tackle the job is by taking everything out of the closet, donating what is no longer needed, and cleaning the interior. When putting clothes back in, try to arrange them by category or color for easy access. Commonly worn items should be put in the front, while seasonal pieces can go higher or towards the back. Hang delicate items and stack thicker materials, such as jeans and sweatshirts.
2. Declutter Your Home Office
Working remotely during the pandemic comes with its own set of challenges. Chances are the most cluttered room in your house is the home office or den. While it is fine to keep office supplies and personal items on hand at your workstation, you do not want to be drowning in these items. First, gather all loose papers on the desk and decide what should be filed, archived, or shredded. With a clean desk you can now wipe down its surface. Be sure to disinfect your mouse and keyboard, too. You’d be surprised how removing old files from your desk, limiting office supplies, or moving a few reams of paper can give you much more room to work.
3. Give Your Pantry a Makeover
The first step in reorganizing your pantry is always out with the old and in with the new. Discard any products that are expired to make room. Next, compartmentalize each shelf to easily find items later and organize your spices. Finally, restock your shelves with the essentials.
Light up the Room
Lighting is a crucial element of design, as any home can be transformed from unwelcoming to cozy with a mere change of a bulb.
- Replace Lightbulbs
If you have spare bulbs lying around, walk through your house and replace any that have gone out.
- Clean Your Lamps
If your lighting still is not up to par, try unplugging lamps and clean the lampshades with a microfiber cloth. This will remove any dirt or dust and drastically improves the lighting.
- Clean Your Curtains
A task many people forget to include in their weekly housework routine is cleaning curtains. However, clean curtains can make a night and day difference in terms of brightness. Be sure to look at curtains’ care instructions to determine if you can wash them or whether they must be dry cleaned.
Prep the Yard for Spring
Walks, runs, bike rides, and even yardwork can bolster emotional health during these trying times.
- Trim Trees and Shrubs
Clipping any brown dead branches off trees gives them a healthier appearance and a solid foundation to grow more. Remember to cut back any branches that are intruding on sidewalks or pathways. This will make your yard more inviting and allows more sunlight and air to reach your plants.
- Prep Garden Beds
Pick up fallen branches, leaves, and bothersome weeds before getting to work on your flower garden. Shovel out last year’s mulch to provide a blank slate for a new layer, which can be filled in once planting is complete. It is the perfect time to plant your favorite flowers and add a welcoming flair to your front yard!
As you can see, all it takes is a little motivation and planning to get into the spring-cleaning groove. We hope you stay healthy during this time. For real estate information on the finest homes in the Palm Beaches, contact at Tauber Real Estate Services specialist at 561-626-4633.