Yeah, we know, spring doesn’t really come to Colorado until May-ish. But once it hits, the days will be longer, the sun will be shining, and the temperatures will be comfortably warm. Wouldn’t you rather spend that time outdoors instead of indoors scrubbing appliances? We’re just suggesting you knock out a few cleaning/organizing items on your list now so you won’t be overwhelmed by a big spring clean later.
This is a good time of year, actually, to get a little steady cleaning done. Because of the cold winter weather, you and your family have been spending a lot more time indoors, thus making things more messy than usual. Find a day (or weekend) to get everyone out of the house and then you can start tackling your list.
CULL THE HERD
This is the ideal time to go through your closets and pull out the winter clothes you thought you were going to wear this season but never did. It’s still cold out so anything you’re not wearing can be donated to Goodwill or the charity of your choice so someone else can stay warm. Other items worth purging are makeup, costume jewelry, expired medicine, toys, magazines, spices, and freezer food.
WIPE THE FLOORS
In the wintertime, everyone is coming in and out with snowy and muddy boots from their outdoor winter activities. This is not really a chore you can let slide, so make sure you’re running a mop over the entry hall and kitchen floors regularly to stay on top of the debris. While you’re at it, get down in those hard to reach places like behind the stove, refrigerator, and freezer. You will be so glad you did!
FRESHEN THE LINENS
Don’t let dingy window treatments dampen the few hours of sun you’re getting in the winter months. Wash fabric draperies according to instructions and clean blinds with cotton socks over your hands. While you’re in “the zone”, take down shower curtains as well and wash them in the washing machine with baking soda and vinegar.
DISINFECT THE DIRTY
You’ve been shut inside for the past few months with germy garbage cans in your kitchen and bathrooms, so take them outside and blast them with the hose, followed by a disinfectant. Let them dry in direct sunlight. If you have toilet brushes, bring those outside as well and immerse in a solution of one part bleach to six parts water. Let these dry outside as well. Also – what’s going on inside your microwave? Go ahead and wipe this down with a towel doused in soapy, warm water.
DUST THE DINGY
Clear surfaces (and the air) of these tiny particles everywhere you can. Start at the top by cleaning your ceiling fan blades with a pillowcase (you put it over the blade and pull it off slowly, capturing the dust inside the pillowcase). Next hit all of your desk, dresser, and table-top surfaces as well as lampshades. Finish it off by dusting the baseboards with a cotton sock. Remember – all of this is moot unless you’re remembering to change out your HVAC filter every month.
Taking a weekend here and there before May to do a little pre-cleaning will make your actual spring cleaning less hectic. Once the weather gets warmer, it’ll be the ideal time to tackle the garage or clean all of your windows. But don’t think about that right now – enjoy the winter while it’s here and load up on all the hot beverages and Netflix binging sessions that you can until then.
