WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020
The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Spring Cleaning Checklist
The Ultimate Stay-at-Home
Spring Cleaning Checklist
The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Spring Cleaning Checklist
As winter ends and the weather starts to change, you might wonder when to start spring cleaning. The best time is now!
Take advantage of the indecisive spring weather and do those chores that consistently sink to the bottom of your to-do list. When you have tasks you know you need to do in the back of your head, it can be hard to unwind and let yourself enjoy your free time. You might be too preoccupied, thinking about how you should spend the time more productively.
Start off the season with less clutter and a cleaner place so you can clear your mind early on and enjoy the spring and summer.
Here are some spring cleaning tips and tricks to help you remember all the places you should hit to make the most of your spring cleaning list.
Declutter
Inevitably, you have items in your house you no longer need. Whether it's a sweater you no longer wear, spoiled food you need to toss or an item that's missing important pieces, purging your house of things that no longer serve their purpose will help you clear your mind and living space for more important things.
Sectioning off your to-do list by room helps you stay on task and prevents you from getting overwhelmed by cleaning a whole home at once. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment every time you get to check an entire room off your list.
Here are some spaces in your home you should include on your spring cleaning list:
Medication cabinet:
Unless we consistently use a specific medication, we might forget what's sitting around in our medicine cabinet. If you don't use antacids often, you might not realize they are expired until you go to take one. Go through every bottle in your cabinet and get rid of all expired medications. Notice which bottles you accidentally bought two of and figure out what your stock might be low on. If you take the time to go through the cabinet, you won't be caught without something or accidentally double up on medications you already have.
PANTRY AND FRIDGE
Remove the shelving, deep clean
and sanitize all those tough to
reach places, and reinsert them.
PANTRY AND FRIDGE
Remove the shelving, deep clean
and sanitize all those tough to
reach places, and reinsert them.
Pantry and fridge:
Take out every single item in your pantry, fridge and freezer, cleaning out one space at a time. Remove the shelving, deep clean and sanitize all those tough to reach places, and reinsert them. Put back items in an orderly fashion after checking every expiration date. If it's passed, close or the food has been sitting open for a while, toss it.
Dresser and closet:
Many people start spring cleaning by sorting through clothing. As the season changes, store most of your winter clothes and unpack your spring and summer items. Whenever you put away or unpack items, go through them judiciously. You don't want to waste storage space on a sweater you won't wear next season. Empty every drawer and hanger, and if you're on the fence about any item, try it on. If it doesn't fit, get rid of it. There's no sense in keeping a sweater you need to lose 10 pounds to wear comfortably. If you do lose those 10 pounds, treat yourself on a trip to a thrift store for a new-to-you sweater.
Supply closet:
Like the medicine cabinet, you might not know what you have in your supply closet until you pull it all out. You might keep buying window cleaner if you don't know you have three half-used bottles hiding in the back. Pull everything out, clean the closet and then sort through the supplies you have. If you have two bottles of the same product, combine them and recycle the extra bottle. If the disinfectant wipes dried out, toss them. Get rid of old, half-used sponges, and take note of what products are low.
Kitchen cabinets:
If you only use about half of your kitchenware, some of it might be pushed to the back and forgotten. Take out everything one cabinet at the time, clean the cabinet and evaluate if you need all the items you took out. You might surprise yourself and find that since you rarely use a cheese grater, you forgot you had one and have bought two or three. Pare down your items and only keep the pots and pans you realistically need. Brave the storage container drawer and make sure everything in there has a match. If it doesn't, toss it.
Bookshelves:
Some years, you'll get a book as a gift that you really have no interest in reading. Sometimes you have books hanging around from your school days. Take all the books off one shelf at a time, clean the shelf and then decide which books you want or need to keep. When you put the books back on the shelves, decide on an organization system that works for you.
Shoe rack:
Like the clothing, put away seasonal shoes and unpack your spring and summer pairs. If you did not wear the shoes more than a few times during the winter, don't pack them away for next year. Make sure every pair still feels comfortable, and see if anything needs a quick repair.
Filing cabinets:
Filing cabinets can quickly become a disorganized catch-all if not properly maintained. If you don't keep up with the organization throughout the year, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to find the important papers you need. Take out the documents from each drawer and make sure you can file every paper into a folder that makes sense. Recycle or shred what you don't need, and digitize files if you can to cut down on clutter.
Garage and shed:
You might not think to dedicate time to organizing the garage or garden shed if you don't venture into your outdoor storage frequently. Go through the boxes and organize the items you need to keep and toss or donate what you don't need. If you haven't used an item in six months, or you forgot that you even had it, you can probably get rid of it.
Unless we consistently use a specific medication, we might forget what's sitting around in our medicine cabinet. If you don't use antacids often, you might not realize they are expired until you go to take one. Go through every bottle in your cabinet and get rid of all expired medications. Notice which bottles you accidentally bought two of and figure out what your stock might be low on. If you take the time to go through the cabinet, you won't be caught without something or accidentally double up on medications you already have.
PANTRY AND FRIDGE
Remove the shelving, deep clean
and sanitize all those tough to
reach places, and reinsert them.
PANTRY AND FRIDGE
Remove the shelving, deep clean
and sanitize all those tough to
reach places, and reinsert them.
Take out every single item in your pantry, fridge and freezer, cleaning out one space at a time. Remove the shelving, deep clean and sanitize all those tough to reach places, and reinsert them. Put back items in an orderly fashion after checking every expiration date. If it's passed, close or the food has been sitting open for a while, toss it.
Many people start spring cleaning by sorting through clothing. As the season changes, store most of your winter clothes and unpack your spring and summer items. Whenever you put away or unpack items, go through them judiciously. You don't want to waste storage space on a sweater you won't wear next season. Empty every drawer and hanger, and if you're on the fence about any item, try it on. If it doesn't fit, get rid of it. There's no sense in keeping a sweater you need to lose 10 pounds to wear comfortably. If you do lose those 10 pounds, treat yourself on a trip to a thrift store for a new-to-you sweater.
Like the medicine cabinet, you might not know what you have in your supply closet until you pull it all out. You might keep buying window cleaner if you don't know you have three half-used bottles hiding in the back. Pull everything out, clean the closet and then sort through the supplies you have. If you have two bottles of the same product, combine them and recycle the extra bottle. If the disinfectant wipes dried out, toss them. Get rid of old, half-used sponges, and take note of what products are low.
If you only use about half of your kitchenware, some of it might be pushed to the back and forgotten. Take out everything one cabinet at the time, clean the cabinet and evaluate if you need all the items you took out. You might surprise yourself and find that since you rarely use a cheese grater, you forgot you had one and have bought two or three. Pare down your items and only keep the pots and pans you realistically need. Brave the storage container drawer and make sure everything in there has a match. If it doesn't, toss it.
Some years, you'll get a book as a gift that you really have no interest in reading. Sometimes you have books hanging around from your school days. Take all the books off one shelf at a time, clean the shelf and then decide which books you want or need to keep. When you put the books back on the shelves, decide on an organization system that works for you.
Like the clothing, put away seasonal shoes and unpack your spring and summer pairs. If you did not wear the shoes more than a few times during the winter, don't pack them away for next year. Make sure every pair still feels comfortable, and see if anything needs a quick repair.
Filing cabinets can quickly become a disorganized catch-all if not properly maintained. If you don't keep up with the organization throughout the year, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to find the important papers you need. Take out the documents from each drawer and make sure you can file every paper into a folder that makes sense. Recycle or shred what you don't need, and digitize files if you can to cut down on clutter.
You might not think to dedicate time to organizing the garage or garden shed if you don't venture into your outdoor storage frequently. Go through the boxes and organize the items you need to keep and toss or donate what you don't need. If you haven't used an item in six months, or you forgot that you even had it, you can probably get rid of it.
MSort through your discarded items and decide what you can
donate, repurpose,
recycle or trash.
Sort through your discarded
items and decide what you can
donate, repurpose,
recycle or trash.
Donate
The chances are that most of the items you no longer need still have some life left in them. Sort through your discarded items and decide what you can donate, repurpose, recycle or trash.
Here are some tips to know what belongs in each pile:
Donate:
If you would feel comfortable picking up an item in this condition at a thrift store, see if you can find it a new home. There are countless places and ways to donate, so try to find a location near you or a place to send your items so they stay out of the dump and continue to get used.
Repurpose:
Is there some way this item could be upcycled or reused in a different way? Cut up ratty clothing and turn it into cleaning rags. Some large brands accept used clothes and recycle them properly. An old, worn coffee table could be repainted and given new life as a hamster cage stand. You're only limited by your creativity.
Recycle:
Before sending something immediately to the trash, see if you can break down parts of it into just recyclable cardboard or plastic. Afterward, toss the rest.
Trash:
These items are broken, ripped, stained, incomplete, unsanitary, outdated, single-use and cannot be reused in any way. Don't donate or repurpose something that would be unhygienic to share. If you wouldn't feel comfortable buying it in a thrift shop, toss it.
Sometimes, you can turn your unwanted clutter into cash. Here are some options to pursue before you start donating:
Electronics:
Places like ecoATM accept your used equipment and actually pay you for it. We take your old devices and give them new life or properly recycle them if they no longer function. You help keep tech out of the dump, and you get paid instantly!
Clothing:
For higher-end, brand-name, like-new clothing, head to your local consignment shop and see if they'll accept your items. Some consignment shops pay for in-season bags and clothes, so before you drop everything at a thrift store, see if you can get some money for your unwanted items. You can also sell clothing in good condition online.
Books:
There are many places to sell your used books online. Try searching by the ISBN rather than the title to find the right edition of your books.
Here are some tips to know what belongs in each pile:
If you would feel comfortable picking up an item in this condition at a thrift store, see if you can find it a new home. There are countless places and ways to donate, so try to find a location near you or a place to send your items so they stay out of the dump and continue to get used.
Is there some way this item could be upcycled or reused in a different way? Cut up ratty clothing and turn it into cleaning rags. Some large brands accept used clothes and recycle them properly. An old, worn coffee table could be repainted and given new life as a hamster cage stand. You're only limited by your creativity.
Before sending something immediately to the trash, see if you can break down parts of it into just recyclable cardboard or plastic. Afterward, toss the rest.
These items are broken, ripped, stained, incomplete, unsanitary, outdated, single-use and cannot be reused in any way. Don't donate or repurpose something that would be unhygienic to share. If you wouldn't feel comfortable buying it in a thrift shop, toss it.
Sometimes, you can turn your unwanted clutter into cash. Here are some options to pursue before you start donating:
Places like ecoATM accept your used equipment and actually pay you for it. We take your old devices and give them new life or properly recycle them if they no longer function. You help keep tech out of the dump, and you get paid instantly!
For higher-end, brand-name, like-new clothing, head to your local consignment shop and see if they'll accept your items. Some consignment shops pay for in-season bags and clothes, so before you drop everything at a thrift store, see if you can get some money for your unwanted items. You can also sell clothing in good condition online.
There are many places to sell your used books online. Try searching by the ISBN rather than the title to find the right edition of your books.
Here are some of the best places for you to
start rehoming your clutter:
Clothing
Furniture
Blankets
Books
Food
Luggage
Here are some of the
best places for you to
start rehoming your clutter:
Clothing
Furniture
Blankets
Books
Food
Luggage
Once you've determined what you can sell, it's time to donate the rest. Here are some of the best places for you to start rehoming your clutter:
Clothing:
If possible, when donating clothes, give to a non-profit organization that uses your donations to benefit the community. While donating to for-profit places is still a sustainable option, do even more good by looking for a non-profit.
Blankets:
Even in the warmer months, homeless shelters will accept gently used blankets to outfit the shelter or to give out to the homeless in the community.
Food:
If you have canned or non-perishable food that has a far-off expiration date but you know you won't use it, search for a local food pantry. They'll gladly accept your unopened canned goods, cooking oils, herbs, spices, granola bars, nuts, pasta, cereal and more. Again, always check the expiration date before donating. Never donate expired food.
Furniture:
If your items are in good condition, consider donating to a good cause. Many times, volunteers from the organization will come to your house and pick up your donations, which saves you time and money. You can also check to see if your local thrift store accepts large items.
Books:
You can find a home for almost any type of lightly used book. You could take your books to a secondhand bookstore, or you could donate to a specific charity that sends children's books to classrooms or older reads to soldiers. There are many options out there, so do your research and see where your books will do the most good.
Luggage:
Instead of donating to a for-profit location, take your lightly used luggage to a foster care center or orphanage. Children in foster care generally do not have anything to hold their belongings in and must resort to using trash bags when traveling between foster homes. When you donate your luggage, they get to keep their belongings safe in a way that gives them dignity.
If possible, when donating clothes, give to a non-profit organization that uses your donations to benefit the community. While donating to for-profit places is still a sustainable option, do even more good by looking for a non-profit.
Even in the warmer months, homeless shelters will accept gently used blankets to outfit the shelter or to give out to the homeless in the community.
If you have canned or non-perishable food that has a far-off expiration date but you know you won't use it, search for a local food pantry. They'll gladly accept your unopened canned goods, cooking oils, herbs, spices, granola bars, nuts, pasta, cereal and more. Again, always check the expiration date before donating. Never donate expired food.
If your items are in good condition, consider donating to a good cause. Many times, volunteers from the organization will come to your house and pick up your donations, which saves you time and money. You can also check to see if your local thrift store accepts large items.
You can find a home for almost any type of lightly used book. You could take your books to a secondhand bookstore, or you could donate to a specific charity that sends children's books to classrooms or older reads to soldiers. There are many options out there, so do your research and see where your books will do the most good.
Instead of donating to a for-profit location, take your lightly used luggage to a foster care center or orphanage. Children in foster care generally do not have anything to hold their belongings in and must resort to using trash bags when traveling between foster homes. When you donate your luggage, they get to keep their belongings safe in a way that gives them dignity.
Deep Clean
With all the clutter out of the way, you can get down to business and really give the home the deep clean it deserves.
We use some areas in the home so frequently that we forget to do more than the occasional cursory clean. Take this time to pause and determine how to deep clean your home. Pay attention to all of those areas that you might usually forget:
Do the Seasonal Chores
When you only need to do a chore every few months, it might slip your mind and a full year might pass before the task gets done. Here are some of those chores for your spring cleaning checklist you might forget but have to do.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
and Get Cash
Use spring cleaning as an opportunity to collect the phones and tablets you no longer use in your home and find an ecoATM near you.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Get Cash
Use spring cleaning as an opportunity to collect the phones and tablets you no longer use in your home and find an ecoATM near you.
