Spring Cleaning Tips

We’re heading into Spring soon which allows us to break out of the winter funk and give our living space a de-clutter. Although a bit of a cliché, I find it calming to have a spring clear out as it’s still cool and not too warm, but the sun will be shining enough to keep things bright.

Clear Out! 

Before cleaning, I like to clear out unnecessary items that I don’t want or need. Usually, I’ll do this by going through sections of my room and getting rid of anything that might be rubbish, or donating items that I don’t have a use for. It’s a great opportunity to give back to some local charities whilst clearing some space from the past year.

I accumulate a lot of unnecessary items during the year, mostly impulse purchases, so it’s a good idea to have a little sort-out now and again to keep it under control. I sometimes struggle to let go of things due to emotional attachments, but by getting the help of a close friend or family member I find it so much easier! They give me the nudge to get rid of things they know I don’t need.

Get rid of those cobwebs. 

When was the last time you did a proper dusting of your room? Honestly, I don’t think I’ve done mine since last summer. When you have loads of assignments and impending exams, the last thing on your mind is keeping the dust at bay, so now is the perfect time to get on top of it. 

Use a feather duster for ceilings and walls, if you’re a bit short like me, you can tape the duster to a broom for extra height. For surfaces like desks or chests of drawers, use a dry microfiber cloth for more accuracy (and to prevent dust from flying everywhere when you whack a feather duster over it). 

Bye-bye bacteria. 

Use an antibacterial solution to cleanse your surfaces, but be careful to make sure it won’t damage them first. Some people like to dilute bleach in water, however, I prefer to use natural cleaning products. The brand Method has several all-surface anti-bacterial cleansers that are non-toxic and plant-based, plus they smell really good!

Spray some of the anti-bacterial solutions onto the surface and wipe over it using a dry microfiber cloth, making sure to cover all the areas. 

Forgetting something?

There are lots of smaller things to clean that I often forget about, so here’s a list of some of the things that go overlooked. 

• Vacuum your mattress – This helps to keep it clean and get rid of any hidden dust that might give you a stuffy nose.
• Shake & Vac – Use a shake & vac powder on your carpets to keep them looking and smelling fresh.
• Clean your windows – This is especially important after winter, as they’ll be a bit dirty from all the condensation. Don’t worry too much about the outside, but cleaning the inside can make your room look a lot brighter. 
• How’re your shoes looking? – If you have canvas or fabric shoes, it might be good to consider throwing them in the washing machine or giving them a good scrub. For vinyl or leather shoes, give them a wipe over with a cloth and spray the inside with some Febreze, it’s not perfect but it’s better than nothing!