10 Spring Cleaning Tips – Let The Sunlight In

Despite the fact that we’ve been stuck in a polar vortex and it’s very hard for some of us to believe, spring is just around the corner. It’s true. Check your calendar if you don’t believe me. When the warm weather finally does arrive where do you want to be? Inside spring cleaning or outside enjoying the weather? No need to answer because I already know.

The reality though is that we can’t avoid spring cleaning. A winter’s worth of closed windows requires us to throw open the windows and let the sunlight in. Yay for sunshine. Boo for all the dust it shows. There are ways to make this sometimes daunting task a lot easier. Here are 10 Spring Cleaning Tips to help you breeze through this chore so you can get out and enjoy the weather! It’s coming, I promise.

Get Organized

Pick a date on the calendar that will be your spring cleaning day or weekend. Now that you have a day, work backwards on your calendar by the number of rooms in your house and multiply by two. So, if you have eight rooms you’ll need to count back 16 days. Each day until you’re ready to start your spring cleaning spend 15-20 minutes in each room purging. Have three bins; garbage, donate, storage. Be brutally honest when purging. Will you use this again? Wear it again? Make sure you make a trip to your donation drop off before you start cleaning. No sense cleaning around stuff you’re not keeping! Clean and pack away winter clothes you’ll need next year in containers clearly labeled so you can find them fast.

Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

Often overlooked, your medicine cabinet should be cleaned out twice yearly. A perfect time to do this is when you’re spring cleaning and fall cleaning. Return all expired prescription medication to your pharmacist for proper disposal.

Pack Your Winter Bedding Away

Wash all your bedding with Sunlight Laundry Detergent. Dry completely and fold. Pack your sheets inside a protective cover to keep dust and mites off it while it’s in storage and so it’s ready to use next winter. You can use a pillowcase or a garment bag for bigger, bulkier items. If you have a wool blanket, shake it out and let it hang in the sun for an hour. Fold, placing sheets of tissue paper between folds so it doesn’t crease. Place blanket in an airtight container or cedar chest. For added protection add cedar chips to deter pests. This is also the perfect time to vacuum your mattress and flip it.

Clean Those Windows. Let the Sunlight In

When you’re ready to do the cleaning you’ll want to make sure the sun is showing you every dirty nook and cranny in the house. In order for that to happen you need clean windows. Mix 1 teaspoon Sunlight Dish Soap into 2 gallons of water. Using a window scrubber, dip it into bucket and then scrub the window clean, don’t worry about the direction. Squeegee the window starting at the top and moving your way down. Use a lint free rag to wipe up any stray drips.

Clean Your Refrigerator

Throw out anything past its due date and remove all food from refrigerator. Fill your kitchen sink with a few drops of Sunlight dish soap and cool water (never use hot, it could shatter glass shelves). Scrub from top to bottom. For particularly sticky spots, leave a damp cloth on top of it while you continue cleaning to soften it up. Using a lint free rag to dry refrigerator from top to bottom. Place food back, and add in a new box of baking soda to absorb odours. Stand back and enjoy it for a few minutes before you family undoes all your hard work.

Don’t Forget the Pooch

Your dog knows spring is coming long before you do. Dogs start blowing their coat in anticipation of warmer weather, this is how I know spring is definitely on it’s way. Now is the time to book your furry friend for a grooming so there is less dog fur to pick up. Also, spring means fleas so renew their flea and heartworm medication. Finally, wash their dog bed.

Tackle the Bathrooms

Ewww, the bathrooms. Now hopefully you clean your toilets, sinks and tubs weekly anyway (please don’t tell me if you don’t). Spring cleaning means getting to the places you don’t usually get to. Hopefully you’ve already followed step one and removed any items that you’re no longer using – think make-up you didn’t like, almost empty containers, etc. Remove and dust vents. Wash down walls. Clean lighting fixtures. Treat drains with some drain cleaner to break down hair clogs. If you’re on a septic system be sure that it’s safe for septic. Wash or dry clean shower curtains. Replace shower liners. Then do your weekly routine, washing the floors as your final step. If it’s in your budget, make the mood lighter with some new towels and fancy soaps. Go ahead, you deserve it.

Say Goodbye to The Dust

First off you need an army for this, so enlist your family. They’re partially responsible for this mess, right? Crank up the music and get to work. You can find the ultimate dusting guide here.

Get Low, Real Low

Time to take a look at the ground you walk on. Dust all baseboards and wipe down afterward with a dryer sheet. No kidding, this helps repel dust. Also, you can get the kids to do this since it’s nice and low to the ground. For weekly cleaning, I say use a mop but for spring cleaning it’s time to put on a pair of knee pads and scrub, scrub, scrub. You’ll be amazed what you find when you’re inches from the floor.

Don’t Forget About Your Outdoor Space

For plastic and wrought iron furniture wet a damp cloth with water and a little Sunlight detergent. Wipe down furniture and then hose down. Let dry in the sun. Pull out cushions and shake well to clear any dust. Let them sit in the sun to freshen up a bit too. Give all your summer dishes a quick wash in the sink so they’re ready to go for you first barbecue. Place cushions in chairs and relax mama, you’re done.

Disclosure: I have been compensated to write this helpful post by Sunlight. All opinions are my own.