Container Stories

Spring Cleaning 101

What you need and how to get started

by Lisa Trigsted
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Can you believe it's already Spring? While many people associate March Madness with college basketball tournaments, to me, it means "LET'S GET THIS HOUSE CLEANED!" My family loves this time of year. Ha!

On the surface, spring cleaning seems like a dreaded, yet necessary chore. Dust gets moved around, the smell of harsh chemicals fill the air, purging clutter takes forever, and swapping out seasonal clothes can be a frustrating process. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Thankfully, this spring, I partnered with The Container Store to make your spring cleaning a little easier. Read my best tips to get started.

But first, we need to answer an important question.

Why should you spring clean?
  • Dust naturally accumulates in various places throughout the year.
  • Deep cleaning prevents the spread of harmful bacteria.
  • The changing of the seasons means it's time swap out your wardrobe.
  • Clutter really does weigh you down.
  • Cleaning will actually make you feel better.

Ok, now we're ready to get started.

Create a system of organization

You wouldn't go to work without the right tools, would you? Exactly! That's why, it's incredibly important to not only use the right tools, but to also create an organized system for storing them. This way, everything you need is easily accessible and always found in the same spot. First, select a caddy to store all your supplies. That way, you can easily take all your supplies with you from room to room. Personally, I love the Favori Storage Caddy. I love it so much, I have two! I use one for upstairs and one for downstairs. It makes cleaning all the areas of my home so much easier. As does hanging tools like mops and brooms from hooks, either on a mudroom wall or in a utility closet.

Find the right supplies and tools

Next, it's time to think about what type of areas you're going to clean. This will help you decide on the type of cleaning supplies you need to purchase. My go-to Cleaner is cleancult's 16 oz. Orange Zest All-Purpose Cleaner, which is a natural, multi-surface cleaner. You can use it almost anywhere. Plus, it contains orange essential oils - so it even smells good! What's more, all of cleancult's cleaning products are non-toxic.

In addition to cleaners, you're going to need a few basic cleaning tools. Some essentials include dusting cloths, a dustpan & brush set, Latex Cleaning Gloves, and some scrubber sponges. If you can't tell, I'm completely obsessed with the Full Circle line of cleaning products. They get the job done, and they're cute!

Deep clean every room

Now it's time to start cleaning. It's important to attack cleaning in an orderly way. I recommend going room by room as each room has different needs. But no matter what those needs are, it's important to start at the top of the room and work your way day to the floor. This will ensure all the dirt and dust get vacuumed or swept up at the end. Ceiling fan blades, walls and doors collect a surprising amount of dust. Use a Microfiber Duster to wipe down those surfaces. Depending on what type of doors you're cleaning, you can either use a duster, rag, or damp sponge to clean it off.

To thoroughly clean bathroom and kitchen tiles, scrub them with a Grunge Buster Tile and Grout Brush. Rooms with hardwood floors should be swept with a broom, and then dry-mopped to get ensure dirt and dust are eliminated. Carpet should first be vacuumed, and any stains spot-treated.

I will say, I typically hire out for window washing! Me on a tall ladder is not a good thing. #klutz

Purge & Donate!

Finally, it's time to go through your closet to swap out seasonal clothes. Winter clothes that need to go into storage should be washed or dry-cleaned first. Depending on where you live, you may want to consider using Moth-Away Repellent to ensure your clothes are safe during the spring and summer months. Weathertight Totes are a great option for storing winter sweaters, while PEVA Bags are ideal for long and heavy garments, such as winter coats.

When you're going through your closet, make sure to follow the two-year rule while assessing your wardrobe. If you haven't worn it in two years, it's time to part ways with it. Donate your gently worn items to your favorite charity! See, spring cleaning benefits so many people!

Enjoy!

That's it! That's how I get my home ready for spring. After that, it's time to sit back and enjoy the sunshine and the warmer temperatures.

This year, having all the tools to get the job done made all the difference. I was able to knock it all out in one day because I could easily find everything I needed.

If you're searching for new cleaning supplies or need to update your cleaning tools, make sure to check out Full Circle and cleancult at The Container Store. They are GREAT quality and affordable products - which is exactly my style!

Want more great home organization tips? Head to my Blog or follow me on Instagram!