Spring cleaning done right
The origin story behind “spring cleaning” isn’t particularly clear. Some say it’s connected to Iranian Nowruz — or Persian New Year — which occurs on the first day of spring and includes a cleaning ritual that literally translates to “shaking the house.” Others connect it to preparing the home for the Jewish Passover or Christian Easter. No matter your reason, if you’ve spent your winter cooped up at home, more likely than not, you’re ready to get the grime out of your house. Below, we’ll share a few ideas for making your spring cleaning a success.
1. Declutter with a yard sale
It’s much easier to clean when your living space isn’t brimming with stuff. Now that the sun’s coming out, schedule a yard sale (or a stoop sale, if you live in Brooklyn like me!). Team up with friends, mix some wine spritzers, and make an afternoon of it. Feeling altruistic? Donate your proceeds to charity.
2. Deep clean
OR keep that money for yourself and spend it on deep cleaning your rugs and sofas. For many of us, working from home has turned our living rooms into de facto office cubicles, creating much more wear and tear on our furniture than usual. There are many cleaning companies that will use steam or chemical-free processes to clean your rugs and furniture — and what a difference it can make. While you’re at it, be sure to run your pillows through the wash and dry them thoroughly to avoid any mildew.
3. Clean from the top down
Sometimes the most passed down wisdom holds the most significance. In this case, it’s always clean from the top down. What does this mean exactly? Well, when you dust or wipe down your walls and ceiling, dust will inevitably fall to the floor, so it makes sense to deal with the floors and the lower parts of the walls last. Speaking of dust, some people find it can really make their allergies flare up — so if you’re the sneezing, sniffling type, it might be a good idea to dust while wearing a handy surgical mask.
4. Out with the old
Some household items aren’t meant to last forever — and some of those same items can be difficult to remember to swap out. Take an inventory of the items that need to be replaced, including your:
- Shower curtain
- Vacuum filter
- Dish sponges
- Water filters
- Doormats
- Toilet brushes
- Old skincare products
Now that your living space is tidied up, you can charge forth into the spring months feeling calm and clear-headed (aside from all the pollen).
Blair Smith is a lifestyle and beauty writer who currently resides (and will likely stay forever) in Brooklyn, New York.
