SMARTPHONES:
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020

Spring Cleaning Tips 2022

Spring Cleaning Tips 2022

As the spring-cleaning season approaches, many people are preparing to give their homes a deep clean. The task of cleaning the entire house can seem overwhelming and you might not know where to start. 

To make it easier for you this year, we've compiled a checklist and some spring cleaning hacks and tips that will help. 

Spring cleaning refers to the tradition of thoroughly cleaning your home in the springtime, and it has become a staple for the season. 

What Is Spring Cleaning?

Spring cleaning does not have a clear history. Some people believe this tradition is linked with religious customs, while others believe it started as a way to freshen up your home after the winter months. 

Before modern heating technology, people largely used coal and wood to heat their houses. By the end of winter, there could be lots of soot and grime build-up. This inspired homeowners to deep clean their houses every spring to get rid of the mess.

Today, spring cleaning refers to the tradition of thoroughly cleaning your home in the springtime, and it has become a staple for the season. 

When Is Spring Cleaning?

Spring cleaning does not happen on a particular day or week in the spring. Instead, people participate throughout the season as the weather gets warmer. 

National Cleaning Week in America kicks off on the fourth Sunday in March every year. Some people choose to address their chores during this week, but spring cleaning can occur anytime between March and May. 

How to Spring Clean

You can tackle spring cleaning by doing the tasks you don't normally do during your routine cleaning efforts. You'll need to take inventory of your home and make a plan to clean everything from your kitchen appliances to under the bed. 

We have all the house cleaning tips and a checklist to help you conquer spring cleaning 2022. 

7 Spring Cleaning Tips

• Prepare
• Create a Schedule
• Dust and Declutter First
• Go Room by Room
• Limit Your Cleaning Products
• Work Top to Bottom
• Clean Your Supplies

7 Spring Cleaning Tips 

Before diving into your house cleaning checklist, check out these seven tips to make the most of your spring cleaning this year.

1. Prepare

Spring cleaning requires some preparation. To ensure you are ready to get started, there are a few things you'll want to explore. 

You should take inventory of your home and what tasks you want to cover. Make a list of the supplies you'll need and any goals you have. You might need to make a shopping list for cleaning products or storage containers. Before getting dirty, prepare yourself for the cleaning ahead. 

2. Create a Schedule

Once you feel prepared with what tools and products you'll need, it is time to create a schedule. You'll want to identify what areas need the most work. Consider the tasks that you don't get to during routine cleaning. We suggest starting in these areas. 

Put spring cleaning on your calendar to ensure you have the time needed to dedicate to the deep clean. Some people choose to create daily schedules. For example, they might focus on each floor of the house one day at a time. 

3. Dust and Declutter First 

Clutter can cause higher stress levels and be distracting. Make your spring cleaning efforts more enjoyable by attacking the dust and clutter first.

Before getting busy, you'll want to dust everything. Breathing in dirt and grime is unpleasant. Get rid of it right away! Then, once you've dusted everything, you can address the junk.

Decluttering areas like junk drawers and messy storage bins can help free up space. You can get rid of broken items or things that you simply don't want anymore.

4. Go Room by Room

The most effective way to deep clean is by approaching each room individually. Don't waste time moving all around the house. Pick a zone and focus on it until you finish it. This will help you be efficient and give each room the attention it deserves. Make note of special tasks in each room that you don't want to forget.

We organized our spring cleaning list by room to make cleaning even easier for you. 

5. Limit Your Cleaning Products

Before buying new cleaning products and supplies, check out what you have at home. Too many products can take up unnecessary storage space. You should also make sure to use products that are safe with one another.

An all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloths can work for many of your home chores. White vinegar and baking soda, two items you might already have at home, work amazingly for cleaning surfaces as well. 

6. Work Top to Bottom

Another tip is to always work from the top of the room to the bottom when cleaning. This will save you time spent re-doing tasks. For example, you wouldn't want to mop the floor and then dust the ceiling fan. The dust would make the floors dirty again. As a rule of thumb, tackle fixtures and countertops first and clean floors last.

7. Clean Your Supplies

Something people often overlook when it comes to spring cleaning is the importance of having clean supplies. Our tools get dirty too.

Use scissors to carefully remove hair from the rotating brush at the bottom of your vacuum and replace the filters. Toss cleaning cloths and rags into the washing machine. Remove trapped dirt in your broom and mop. Sanitize mops and sponges using a mix of bleach and water.  

Before approaching your spring cleaning, make sure your supplies are clean too. 

Spring Cleaning Checklist

• All Rooms
• Hallways and Entryways
• Living Room
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Bedrooms
• Wardrobe
• Tech and Electronics

Spring Cleaning Checklist 

Spring cleaning can feel like a huge undertaking. We've divided up a checklist with cleaning ideas for every room in your house to make it simple this year.

Consider the following and check off these points on our house cleaning list as you work.

All Rooms

There are some chores that you will want to do in every room of your house. These tasks include:

  • Dust/declutter: You'll want to wipe away any dust before you get started. This will help make it a little easier to breathe and you won't have to worry about getting unsightly dust marks anywhere. Remove trash and clutter as soon as you start working on an area.
  • Windows: Another task for every room is washing the windows. You'll want to wipe down the glass and window sills. Clean off blinds and shake window treatments outside. You can toss some curtains and drapes right into the washing machine to make your job even easier.
  • Fixtures: Light fixtures and ceiling fans are almost sure to need dusting. Use a rag and clean the fixtures that you might not get to during your regular cleaning routine. Fans and fixtures are usually on the ceiling or the upper half of the walls, so it is important to clean them early in your process.
  • Storage: Storage comes in all different shapes and sizes and often goes under the radar in a room. Whether you are using bins or chests to store some of your belongings, remember to organize these. You can make room for other items and optimize your space.
  • Floors: The final step in every room should be cleaning the floors. Whether you need to vacuum or mop, do this last to sweep away all the leftover dirt and dust on the ground.

Hallways and Entryways

We suggest tackling the common areas in your home like the entryway and any hallways.

  • Clutter: Organize any miscellaneous clutter like umbrellas or keys. Take any items that are out of place to their respective areas in your home.
  • Furniture: Wipe down and organize tabletops in these areas just like you would in any room. If you have storage furniture, clean it out and organize its contents.
  • Doormats and rugs: Shake doormats and rugs outside. If you have a carpet cleaner, you could apply this to your rugs and hang them from a clothesline. If you can't shake rugs and mats, thoroughly vacuum them instead.
  • Mirrors and frames: Whether you have mirrors or art in photo frames, remember to clean the glass.

Living Room

Living rooms often get a lot of use and require a little extra attention. Make sure to complete the following when addressing your living room. 

  • Furniture: Vacuum any pet hair or crumbs off your furniture. Pull apart couch cushions and make sure to get every crevice. Pull furniture away from the walls and clean around and under. Be sure to clean off lamps as well.
  • Entertainment: Clean around your entertainment devices. You'll want to wipe fingerprints off your television screen and disinfect your remote controls. Organize chords and make sure outlets and speakers are free of dust.
  • Toys: If you have kids, you know how their toys can end up in any room in the house. Pick up stray toys and give them their own designated area. You can clean some toys in the dishwasher and others in the washing machine.
  • Fireplace: In homes with a fireplace, it is crucial to keep it clean for both safety and health reasons. Some people prefer calling a professional chimney sweep to clean their fireplace. We suggest organizing your pokers and cleaning the area surrounding the fireplace to get rid of soot.

Kitchen

  • Sink: You'll want to scrub your sink and its faucets. If your garbage disposal smells, you can run a few slivers of lemon rind through it.
  • Appliances: Appliances can quickly clutter countertops. We suggest you clean each one, ensuring they don't have leftover food or dust on them. Then, reorganize them to make the most of your counter space.
  • Countertops: Wipe down all countertops to get rid of crumbs and dust. Use a sanitizing cleaner to disinfect all surfaces.
  • Clean off refrigerator: If you're looking for unique spring cleaning hacks, cleaning off your fridge is a major game-changer. Start by taking off the photos and artwork on your fridge so you can wipe down its surface. Then, you can reorganize the magnets and give your fridge a cleaner and more tidy appearance.
  • Clean out refrigerator: Go through every item in your refrigerator. Throw out anything that is past its expiration date. Wipe down every shelf and drawer.
  • Declutter the pantry: In addition to going through the fridge, you should do the same with your pantry or any other place you store food. Get rid of expired snacks and reorganize.

Bathroom

  • Countertops: Clear off anything on your bathroom counter. Wipe down surfaces and any accessories like toothbrush holders or soap dishes.
  • Sinks and drains: You will want to scrub bathroom sinks and drains. Remove and clean sink stoppers. Use products like vinegar and baking soda to freshen up any drains.
  • Bathub: Be sure to clean your shower or bathtub. Replace old shower liners and scrub away soap scum. Wash away mineral build-up around your shower head with white vinegar.
  • Toilet: When cleaning your toilet, be sure to wipe down the back and the underside of the toilet seat.
  • Personal care products: Organize your beauty and personal care products. Get rid of anything that is expired or that you don't use. You can donate unopened goods or give them to friends.

Bedrooms

  • Beds: You'll want to wash all your bedding. One of the best cleaning tips is to wash each layer of bedding from bottom to top so you can make your bed as you do your laundry. No waiting for sheets! You'll also want to organize and vacuum beneath your bed frame.
  • Nightstands: Declutter your bedside table, clean off any lamps and organize drawers. We suggest moving nightstands away from the wall and bed so you can clean around them as well.
  • Entertainment: Wipe away fingerprints and smudges on computer monitors and television screens. Ensure the surface is clean around them. Get the dust out of any speakers and outlets.
  • Dressers: Organize the top of your dressers and wipe down their surfaces.

Wardrobe

Cleaning out your closet can be a huge undertaking. Spring is the perfect time to swap out your winter clothes for your summer wardrobe. We suggest doing the following to tackle your closet:

  • Do laundry: If you have a pile of dirty laundry, start with that. It can take up room and look unsightly.
  • Organize: The next step is to organize your drawers and anything hung on hangers. Put out-of-season clothes in a pile for storage and address anything on the floors or furniture. Make a pile of clothes you no longer want and either sell or donate them.
  • Purses and wallets: While you're working on your wardrobe, you should also take the time to sort through the inside of your bags. Clean out trash and old receipts.

Tech and Electronics 

When deep cleaning a house, you're likely to stumble across belongings you forgot about. Many people toss their used electronics in a drawer and don't think about them once they replace them with something new. Instead of tossing used phones back into your drawer, consider selling them! This clears the clutter and puts cash back into your pocket. 

Sell Your Phones With ecoATM

Learn more about how it works and find an ecoATM kiosk near you today!

Sell Your Phones With ecoATM

Consider getting rid of your used phones responsibly while working on your spring cleaning this year. With 5,000 kiosks in the United States, ecoATM makes getting cash for your used devices convenient and simple.

We believe in helping you keep your used phones out of landfills by giving them a chance at a second life. 

Learn more about how it works and find an ecoATM kiosk near you today!

SMARTPHONES:
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020