If you are finding holiday gift boxes scattered around your house and the entryway is frustratingly blocked by a giant pile of snow boots, it may be time for the annual spring clean. However, the seemingly insurmountable task of getting the home ready for brighter weather can leave some homeowners paralyzed with indecision. If you are wanting some inspiration on how to start your spring clean, consider any of the advice listed in this helpful checklist.
1. Declutter the Home Office
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, many people were forced into remote working situations without any kind of infrastructure in place as to how to make this work. This leaves many professionals working in makeshift areas indefinitely as they wait, not-so-patiently, for in-person work to resume.
However, even when life eventually does “return to normal,” the remote work environment wrought by the pandemic will undoubtedly retain a presence in the years to come.
As a result, it is important to have a clean, tidy, and functional home office space in which you can compartmentalize your professional responsibilities from everyday home life. Clutter causes increased stress, as it is a visual reminder of work left undone, which can undermine work performance. The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff by Marla Stone helps tremendously to get started on your Decluttering project. The Clutter Remedy Book
Therefore, the office is a great place to start your spring cleaning efforts in 2021. Find a different place for that spare dresser with stray socks poking out of the drawers and those board games piled on top. Keep your desk clear of any personal items, such as dishes, cups, none-office stuff, or personal electronic devices not used for work. Make sure the floor is not littered with extra pairs of shoes or children’s toys, ensuring the same professional atmosphere of a regular commercial office space.
2. Sanitize Like Never Before
Speaking of the pandemic, people have become well-versed at sanitizing frequently over the past year. And since spring cleaning is the one time of year that most people thoroughly sanitize, anyway, everything should fall right into place, right?
Well, yes and no. While scrubbing the bathtub, wiping down the refrigerator shelves, and deep cleaning the oven should still be at the forefront of your sanitation efforts, spend some extra time on areas that may have been overlooked prior to the pandemic, such as doorknobs, sink faucets, and interior handrails. It may also be a good idea to replace these items to give your home some new accents this spring and get a fresh start going forward.
3. Don’t Ignore the Exterior
Most spring cleaning efforts focus on making the interior of the home more pleasant and livable. However, it can be difficult to get into the mood to get the inside of the home looking pristine when the curb appeal is a wreck. As such, make sure that exterior projects are a part of your spring cleaning routine in 2021.
Basic landscaping projects such as thatching the yard, planting flowers, and trimming tree branches that died over winter are a great place to start. For more ambitious homeowners, replacing a cracked concrete driveway or swapping a dinged and dented garage door with one of the sleek custom garage doors popular today can really take your exterior makeover to the next level and set the tone for a spring clean.
4. Spend Time on Windows and Walls
The vacuum and broom are often the first items brandished when spring cleaning begins. While the floors and carpets undoubtedly need to be cleaned, a surprising amount of dust accumulates on the walls and windows.
Rather than start with the vacuum, a better approach is to start at the top of the wall and work your way down so that you do not have to re-vacuum. Use a damp cloth and gently wipe the walls in a downward motion. For the windows, it is best to use a steam cleaner and squeegee as opposed to a cloth. Be sure to pop out any window screens or magnetic storm windows to get any hard-to-reach areas, and try to avoid using any toxic cleaning products.
Get Started Spring Cleaning Today
The spring clean is an important annual event to get the home ready for nicer weather. However, the tall task of paring down a month’s worth of winter accumulation can make homeowners indecisive. Therefore, consider any of the helpful ideas listed above to make your spring clean a success.
For more on decluttering your home make sure to check out i DEAL LiFESTYLE for more helpful strategies and advice.
Max Shafer is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Max is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.
