The warm temperatures are finally here. You've put away that winter coat, you've opened up the windows and let the sunshine in. The flowers are blooming and life is good. There are many things that make spring such a wonderful time of year.
It's also a great time to clear out the cobwebs of winter and get your apartment looking spotless again. Like the return of baseball, blossoms and outdoor barbecues, spring cleaning is one of those things that many people like to do once March makes its way onto the calendar. There are few things more satisfying than spring cleaning-- just make sure to tackle each chore one at a time so that you don't get bogged down and give up.
There are a few things every apartment dweller will want to focus on for spring cleaning. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Get Those Winter clothes Into Storage
It's time to break out those sandals, skirts and sleeveless tops again and get those gloves, hats, winter coats and scarves out of sight. Winter garb usually takes up a lot of space, so now is the time to make sure it's stowed away properly, whether it's in a storage space, basement or closet.
Now is also the perfect time to reassess your wardrobe and see what needs to be saved and which items need to be tossed or donated. There's no sense in letting your clothes collect dust, and besides-- this gives you a great excuse to go shopping!
Clean Out Your Appliances
Does the inside of the microwave look like a Jackson Pollock painting? Noticing mold on your beloved coffee maker? Is the dishwasher looking kind of gross? Are you scared to open some of those old containers in the fridge?
You use these items every day-- so it's a good idea to give them a good scrubbing. Kitchens are notorious for picking up a lot of germs.
Dust Your Blinds
Over the long winter, your blinds have collected a lot of dust. Hello Giggles recommends using a dryer sheet to dust your blinds, as the the static cling will keep the dust from scattering and re-settling.
Deep Clean Your Shower/Tub
There's nothing grosser than stepping into a dirty bathtub. While you probably do a good job of cleaning it out during your weekly cleaning sessions, now is the time to take it up a notch and focus on grout and removing hard-to-reach mold and mildew. Change out the shower liner and replace it if it's growing mold.
Create a Zen-like Atmosphere in Your Bedroom
Your bedroom is where you wind down every night, so it should be as uncluttered as possible. When you begin your seasonal spring cleaning purge of the apartment, you should begin here.
Be sure to clear off unnecessary items and keep the room light and airy. It is spring, after all! While you're at it, put away winter bedding essentials, such as heavier blankets and comforters.
Make the Windows Spotless
You're probably going to be keeping the windows open a lot more with the warmer weather on the way, so you might as well keep them as clean as possible.
Invest in a good glass cleaner and make sure to wipe down both sides of the window to really let that sunshine through.
Give that Mattress a Flip
It turns out your mom was right about flipping that mattress every spring. According to Martha Stewart, mattresses should actually be flipped four times a year.
Not only is this better for your back due to even wear, but it also will give your mattress a longer life. This is important, as mattresses can get pricey.
Throw Out Expired Medication or Old Makeup
Medicine cabinets can get quite cluttered over time. Be sure to look and see if any of your medications have expired and toss them.
Additionally, if you are hanging on to that eye shadow you wore on New Year's Eve five years ago and haven't touched since-- it might be time to let it go. Old makeup loses its glimmer after a few years.
Give Your Floors Some Love
Carpets hide a lot of dust and debris, so it's always useful to give them a good shampoo once a year to keep the floors clean. This is especially important if you have pets. If you have hardwood floors, you might also want to consider waxing them for the same reasons.
Be sure to hit every one of these chores on your checklist for a great spring cleaning session with your roommates. Once you're done, sit back, relax and reward yourself. You made it through another long winter and the apartment is spotless-- you earned it!