The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and you suddenly feel the urge to start some spring cleaning. Getting rid of old junk and giving your home a thorough cleaning is a great way to freshen things up before a busy summer season. But did you know that many of us are making several spring cleaning mistakes?
Take a look at these six common missteps. Avoiding these errors can help protect your home, your pocketbook, and even your health.
Mistake #1: Cleaning without a plan
We’ve all been there. You wake up with a goal of cleaning the whole house and by mid-afternoon, your home is in complete disarray, and you haven’t really accomplished anything. Like any big job, having a plan of action is the best way to ensure things run smoothly. Start by creating a list of everything you want to tackle and then come up with a strategy for getting it done.
Mistake #2: Not starting from the top
Your cleaning is complete, and you collapse on the couch for a rest. But glancing up, you notice your ceiling fan is covered in dust. If you wipe it down now, dust will surely fall onto everything you’ve already cleaned!
It is a good practice to start by looking up and start with fans, ceilings and other hard to reach places such as the tops of shelves, ledges, crown molding. etc.
Mistake #3: Not decluttering
It’s hard to clean around a bunch of clutter, so before you reach for the cleaning supplies, put away toys, file paperwork, put dishes away, and hang up clothes.
And while you’re picking things up, you might as well take the time to get rid of items you no longer use or need. By removing unwanted items first, you can focus your cleaning efforts and lighten your load.
Mistake #4: Cleaning only what you can see
We all have that drawer or closet we would rather not open, but investing the time to clean out the closets, drawers and cabinets can provide a sense of control and organization
Mistake #5: Forgetting the mattresses
Regular cleaning is important to not only extend the lifespan of your bed, but also to reduce allergies.
To clean your mattress, first vacuum the entire surface with an upholstery attachment. Then, spot clean where needed using a commercial enzyme cleaner or a mix of dish soap and water, depending on the type of stain. Finally, apply a thin layer of baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum again.
Mistake #6: Treating cleaning like a dreaded chore
The words “cleaning” and “fun” usually don’t go together, but spring cleaning can actually be an enjoyable task. If nothing else, think about how nice it will feel when it is all done!
One way to make the job fun is to get everyone involved. There is plenty of work to go around for even the youngest of helpers.
For more home improvement tips and information be sure to follow the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® on Facebook.
https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/marketplace/real-estate/2022/06/01/avoid-these-common-spring-cleaning-mistakes/7474719001/
