Start your spring cleaning with a fresh approach! I’ve got some tips and tricks for you that may help relieve you of some of the drudgery and enjoy more of the perks.
These seven strategies will save you time and make all that work much more effective.
Identify the Trouble Spots
Before you even start cleaning, make a cup of tea or coffee and sit down with pen and paper. Write down the cleaning problems that overwhelm you the most, and jot down some ideas for solutions. For instance, if you constantly deal with clutter, make a plan for donating or throwing away stuff, and buying some attractive-looking containers for keeping things tidier this year. If your problem is laundry piling up, think of solutions like designating a “laundry day,” committing to putting in one load first thing every morning, or designating a laundry helper in your family. Or try a budget-friendly laundry room makeover to get everything organized.
Clean in Short Intervals
I used to think of spring cleaning as a marathon, but as my duties and my family have both grown, it’s become more of a sprint. Choose a few tasks and accomplish them in 10-15 minutes. Here’s an example of three chores you can knock out in about 15 minutes.
- Wipe handprints and grime off main doorways
- Unload the dishwasher
- Clear your kitchen countertop and wipe it down.
Scott’s Liquid Gold ONE CLEAN HOME is a new multi surface cleaner formulated for wood and hard surfaces. Safe for people and animals, it uses naturally occurring, non-toxic citric acid to clean all kinds of greasy and grimy household messes. I love the fresh grapefruit scent!
Smart Mom, Smart Ideas has more tips here. You can also make this fun by setting a timer and getting your children involved. They love challenges and they are very competitive!
An Easy Way to Deodorize the Trash Can
One chore I really dread is cleaning and deodorizing the garbage can.
Besides keeping your can open for more airflow, try putting a couple of dryer sheets on the bottom of the can. They will absorb spills and help mask odors.
Make Your Oven Sparkle Again
Over time, the glass front of most ovens gets foggy and grimy. It not only looks dirty, but is harder to see inside. Try this trick to de-grime method which uses no chemicals. Get a scouring pumice stone wet, scrub the glass inside and out and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Guess what? The formula I mentioned above, Scott’s Liquid Gold ONE CLEAN HOME, works great on stainless steel stoves and other appliances, too!
Improve Your Fridge
Adding a Lazy Susan (or two) to your main refrigerator shelves will make it easier to get things from the back, and lessen the chance of spills.
Tackle the Crevices, Once and For All!
Bathrooms and kitchens have a lot of little cracks and crevices that get overlooked, but the grime and dirt that build up can be really unsightly. Maybe it’s time to invest in the right tool – an inexpensive crevice brush. My favorite is the 3-in-1 Grout Cleaning brush set from The Crown Choice. It’s only $11.00 with free shipping from Walmart+.
Get More Mileage Out of Sponges
You already know that used sponges can harbor a lot of bacteria, but you also don’t want to throw them out when there’s plenty of life left in them. Make them last longer by disinfecting. There are three easy methods you can choose from: dishwasher, microwave or vinegar.
And now for a giveaway: Are you doing anything different this year for spring cleaning? Trying new products? Here’s one way I can help you. One lucky reader will win a sampler package of Scott’s Liquid Gold products, for a clean and sparkling home! Use the form below to enter, and good luck! Full terms and conditions are also on the form.