Spring has arrived in Texas, which means it’s time to enjoy the longer days and warm, sunny climate. As you enjoy more outdoor activities, it can be just as free to clean out your living space and enjoy additional space and peace of mind. Check out our guide for helping you tackle spring cleaning and decluttering that can benefit the whole family.
Spring Cleaning Tips To Enliven Your Space
Image via Flickr by Un ragazzo chiamato Bi
Before you get started, first start with your cleaning supplies. You and your family will benefit from tossing out all your old and empty containers and replacing them with newer supplies. Consider buying cleaning supplies that contain natural ingredients. Avoid air fresheners and things that contain irritants, flammable ingredients, strong fragrances, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Being conscious of the things you use to clean your home is the first step in creating a safer and healthier living environment.
Start Small
If you’re not sure where to start in your home, consider starting small by tidying areas that often get overlooked. For example, remove the residue and stains inside your oven, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, or microwave. Consider cleaning out your fridge by tossing out expired or uneaten foods and wiping down shelves and drawers. One easy way to reduce the effort of scrubbing your microwave is to combine one cup of vinegar, one cup of water, and two tablespoons of lemon juice into a bowl. Microwave the bowl for two minutes. Then, easily wipe down the microwave’s interior.
Clean Your Windows, Walls, and Doors
When cleaning your windows, wait for an overcast day to reduce streaking. Use window cleaner to get rid of fingerprints and smudges, then wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth to prevent leaving behind fuzz or streaks. Consider dusting your blinds and vacuuming any cloth drapes or curtains. You can also use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your walls, doorframes, and baseboards. If you encounter any smudges or stains, dampen the cloth before wiping.
Use a natural multipurpose cleaner to wipe down doors and doorknobs. Make sure you scrub both sides of the door, especially the bottom of your front and back doors. This often reduces dirt and mud stains. You may also consider washing your outdoor doormats with a hose and leaving them to air dry. You can vacuum your indoor doormats to suck up dust and dirt.
Use Baking Soda as a Deodorizer
You can use baking soda to eliminate multiple odors throughout your home. Consider sprinkling them with baking soda before vacuuming if you have musty carpets. You can also use this trick on upholstery and stripped mattresses. This often reduces pet odors and other unwanted smells. Baking soda can also reduce the smell of stinky sneakers. Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes and let them sit overnight. Next, you have to shake out the powder in the morning.
Apply White Vinegar to Remove Hard Water Stains
White vinegar cuts through calcium buildup that often results from hard water stains. You can use this in your shower and even in appliances. In your dishwasher, pour two cups of white vinegar into the machine and run a hot cycle. This can also help your appliance run more smoothly over the years.
Hard water stains may even infiltrate areas you don’t notice as much, such as your tea kettle. Pour one cup of water and one cup of vinegar into your kettle and boil the mixture. After it comes to a boil, turn off the heat and let it cool down for a couple of hours. After this, you can pour out the liquid and clean it like you normally do.
Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
Medicine and other personal care products expire, so it’s important to toss out anything old that takes up unnecessary space. Check the expiration dates of your products. Even skin care items such as lotions and makeup expire, typically between six months and a year after opening them. If anything looks, smells, or feels weird, it’s safest to discontinue use.
Remember to also throw away any sample or travel products that don’t have a lid, such as plastic packets. These products tend to build up bacteria as they sit out in the air. Even lesser-used products such as nail polish expire eventually. Over time, polishes tend to thicken, separate, and become less effective. They may last shorter periods of time on your nails or chip more easily.
Wash Your Pet’s Bed and Supplies
Pet beds often attract allergen-causing mites, so washing them every few weeks is essential to prevent buildup. Consider putting them in your washing machine on the highest setting. If you can’t wash the bed, consider placing it outside in the hot sun to kill the mites. Many people buy pet beds made out of merino wool because this material deters mites. You may also consider washing other supplies such as leashes, collars, towels, stuffed toys, and pet clothing to reduce odors and freshen them up.
Don’t Forget Your Cell Phone.
Your cell phone can harbor as much bacteria as a toilet seat or the bottom of your shoe. This is why it’s imperative to occasionally use a disinfectant wipe to clean your phone. That also includes any crevices, such as buttons and speaker holes. If you use a phone case, wipe down both the case and the phone’s screen.
You can also clean out your phone in more ways than one. Consider reviewing your apps and deleting any that you rarely use to free up storage space. Another way to free up space is by cleaning out your camera roll. You may consider deleting duplicate pictures, memes, and screenshots of information you no longer need, such as digital event tickets. This way, you have plenty of storage space to document your family’s outdoor adventures this spring.
There you have it: Huffines Hyundai McKinney’s top spring cleaning tips. Do you have a spring cleaning tradition that’s fast and effective? Let us know so we can add it to our list for other families to try. Our top priority is serving our community. Whether you’re looking for local tips, considering a new vehicle, or wanting to trade in your existing car, we’re here to answer any of your questions and provide you with the best deals in the area.