Don’t let spring cleaning overwhelm you.
Eighty percent of U.S. households are engaging in spring cleaning this year, according to the American Cleaning Institute. And Natalie D’Apolito, the ACI’s communications and outreach coordinator, tells me that 70% of survey respondents believe that having a clean home provides several benefits.
- 70% said it gives them a sense of accomplishment
- 66% said it boosts their mood
- 63% said it makes them feel more productive
- 60% said it decreases stress and anxiety
However, there are places that survey participants clearly don’t like to clean. “Almost half (49%) dread or try to avoid cleaning places that are hard to reach or access — like behind or underneath furniture or appliances,” D’Apolito says. She also reveals that 38% aren’t looking forward to cleaning places that can get filthy — like bathrooms, vents, and basements. Also on the list of dreaded spring cleaning tasks: washing and scrubbing surfaces, and large laundry items like linens and curtains. “On the other hand, 22% said they don’t dread or try to avoid any cleaning tasks,” D’Apolito explains.
The ACI also found that spring cleaning can be overwhelming (according to 21% of respondents). I talked to several cleaning experts to find their secrets for making spring cleaning easier and more effective.
Declutter
Before you start cleaning, declutter your home, advises Vanesa Amaro, professional housekeeper and self-proclaimed Queen of Cleaning on TikTok. “Get rid of everything you’re not using, broken items, clothes that don’t fit, expired food, and even expired makeup and skincare.” It sounds like an extra chore, but Amaro explains that less clutter means less cleaning.
Do A Deep Dive
Don’t forget that spring cleaning is the time to show some TLC to those areas that you don’t clean on a routine basis. Amaro says this includes your AC vents, fans, baseboards, windows, etc. “Remember to move furniture in order to clean behind it in those hidden spots,” she says.
Set The Vibe With Music
Frankly, I don’t know anyone who gets excited about spring cleaning. However, it doesn’t have to be a tedious and hum-drum chore. Katie Dills, brand president of The Cleaning Authority, recommends creating a cleaning playlist filled with your favorite tunes. Music is known to improve your mood, and dancing around and singing as you clean will make the time pass quickly.
Get Creative With Organization
Another way to have fun is to turn organizing into a creative project. “Use colorful storage bins, label everything with vibrant markers, and add a touch of personality to your storage solutions,” Dills says.
Divide And Conquer
Avoid the temptation to try to clean everything in one day. That’s a surefire way to become overwhelmed. Dills recommends breaking down your cleaning tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. “Tackling one room at a time or focusing on specific tasks each day can make the process less overwhelming and more enjoyable.”
D’Apolita recommends cleaning one or two windows — or the windows in one room — a day. Clean the blinds and windows, and depending on your curtains, either vacuum, launder, or take them to the cleaners. She says you can also use a fabric refresher to remove odors from your curtains.
The next day, clean any cobwebs on the walls or ceilings with a vacuum that has a soft brush attachment. For ceiling fans, D’Apolita advises vacuuming or dry-wiping the blades, and then using a cleaning cloth sprayed with your cleaning product. “Don’t spray the blades, since you may inadvertently spray the ceiling,” she warns.
Next, move on to your upholstered furniture, vacuuming on top, in between, and under cushions.
Turn It Into A Family Affair
Another way to avoid getting overwhelmed is to make sure you’re not the only person in the home doing spring cleaning. Dills recommends involving your family members and roommates in the cleaning process. “Assign tasks based on each person’s preferences and strengths, which not only lightens the workload, but also creates a sense of teamwork and bonding,” she tells me.
Always Clean From Top To Bottom
Avoid cleaning twice by making sure that you start at the top and work your way down. “This happens frequently during spring cleaning because that’s where you wipe the top of your cabinets, bookshelves, etc.,” explains Alessandro Gazzo at Emily Maids. However, he says the top should be where you start cleaning, instead of where you finish. “This way all the dirt and grime will fall to the floor and then you can vacuum and mop,” Gazzo explains.
Create A Schedule
Another way to avoid cleaning twice is to create a checklist or schedule to help you remember what you need to clean. Gazzo says it’s easy to forget which tasks you need to complete. Amaro agrees, telling me that she’s a visual person, so she likes to print a cleaning schedule and place it somewhere visible. “Placing the checklist or schedule on the fridge or a door will allow you to see it every time you pass by,” she says. Amaro also recommends including everyone in the household in the schedule.
Choose Your Cleaning Products Carefully
The right cleaning products can make spring cleaning a lot easier. Amaro recommends versatile cleaning products that you can use on various surfaces throughout your home. “Also, I recommend building a cleaning cart with all your must-have products.” She tells me that her cleaning card includes microfiber towels, sponges, cleaning brushes, gloves, trash bags and more.
Also, consider the environment in your choices. “Choose environmentally responsible cleaning products to not only benefit the environment but also create a healthier living space,” Dills says.
Prep Your Clothes
Depending on your climate, spring may be the season for pulling out your warm-weather clothes and packing away your winter wear (although some of you may need to wait a little longer). “If you change out clothes seasonally, consider using the steam cycle on your dryer, recommends Jessica Petrino Ball of AJ Madison, and co-host of the Ask the Appliance Experts Podcast. “This setting will help loosen fibers in the fabrics, eliminate odors, and release wrinkles without the need to wash and dry your clothes completely.”
Check Your Appliances
While you’re cleaning your home, don’t forget to clean your appliances as well. “Every year, check the vent pipe behind the dryer for any build-up of lint and debris,” says Ball, who also recommends having a professional clean your vents at least once per year. And after each cycle, you should be cleaning the lint filter to prevent a build-up.
She also has some routine appliance tips. For example, Ball says using too much detergent causes soapy residue on clothes, and over time, can damage your washing machine. “If you have a newer, high-efficiency (HE) model, a small quantity of HE detergent, like a tablespoon, is enough for most loads.”
When the cycle is over, and after you’ve removed your clothes, she recommends using a rag or towel to dry out the rubber gasket around the washer door to prevent water, lint, or pet hair from pooling in the door. Some people dislike front-load washers because they’re notorious for developing moldy smells. However, front-load models are designed to be dried after every laundry cycle. “Always leave the washer door ajar,” Ball says.
