With temperatures and pollen on the rise, this means one thing: spring is coming. Spring brings fresh air and blooming flowers, making it the perfect time to refresh your home and do spring cleaning. Cleaning your apartment rejuvenates your space and starts the season on the right foot. Here are some tips and hacks to deep clean your apartment so it sparkles!
- How to create a cleaning to-do list
- Transform your home room by room
- Decluttering and organizing hacks
- How to clean windows and blinds
- Best ways to clean appliances
- Washing your floors
- Effective carpet cleaning tips
- Wash your sheets, linens, and bedding
- Deep cleaning your bathroom made simple
- Cleaning and maintaining your furniture
- Decorating your apartment
How to Create a Cleaning To-Do List
To keep your spring cleaning as organized as possible, start by writing a list of everything you would like to clean and organize. Not only will this help you remember what you want to get done, but it will also help you stay on track! Make a to-do list of things to clean around the house, whether with a pen and paper or on your phone. Break it down room by room and jot down any specific cleaning details, like the supplies you’ll need.
Once your tasks are laid out, prioritize them. Not all chores are created equal — some demand immediate attention while others can wait. Consider adding deadlines to tasks, especially if you're juggling spring cleaning with other responsibilities in your life. When you’re done making your to-do list, you can start cleaning and checking items off!
Transform Your Home Room by Room
Just like you made your list room by room, cleaning this way can help you stay organized and finish faster. Pick a room to start with, clean everything in that room, and then mark it off your list. Then, it’s time to move to the next room. If you want to feel like you’re getting a lot done quickly, start with smaller areas you can finish easily. Bigger spaces take longer but also give a stronger sense of satisfaction.
Depending on what you are cleaning, make sure you use the right cleaning product, as using the wrong one could cause damage. The right product can make cleaning much easier and shorten the time it takes. Cleaning products have specific uses for a reason; take advantage of that for easy cleaning.
Decluttering and Organizing Hacks
Not only is it important to get your home clean, but it’s essential to organize and declutter. By doing this beforehand, you can remove obstacles that might get in the way of cleaning or eliminate the need to clean them entirely. There are many methods for decluttering, so try a bunch and find the one that works best for you. The four-box method is a great starting place; you label four boxes with “keep,” “throw away,” “donate,” and “sell.”
To make organizing feel less overwhelming, try using the ski slope method. This method breaks down a large room into smaller sections, as if you’re moving from side to side down a ski slope. Mentally divide the room into small sections and then organize section by section.
After decluttering, storage solutions can help you keep things organized. This can be especially helpful under the sink or other hard-to-reach places. There are lots of places to organize, like closets, junk drawers, cabinets, and under sinks. Decluttering will help your home feel more spacious and organized.
How to Clean Windows and Blinds
Sometimes, when we clean our homes, we forget to do the windows, blinds, and curtains. You might not notice how the dirt on your windows or blinds is darkening your space. Clean your windows by wiping them with glass cleaning spray and paper towels. Don’t neglect the window frames; scrub them down with warm, soapy water.
Moving onto the window coverings, take a duster and dust your blinds. After dusting, give them a good wipe with a wet cloth. If you have machine-washable curtains, toss them in the washing machine. For ones that can’t go in the washing machine, dust them off and vacuum them. Before you know it, your home will be brighter than ever.
Best Ways to Clean Appliances
Even though you may wipe down your appliances occasionally, you may not clean them as thoroughly as you should. Spring cleaning is the time to dive in and deep clean your appliances. Smaller appliances, like a microwave or air fryer, can be wiped down on the inside with hot, soapy water. Larger fixtures, like ovens and dishwashers, often have a cleaning function that you can start by tapping the “clean” button. Deep cleaning them takes a bit more effort.
Easy ways to clean kitchen appliances
Cleaning your dishwasher is straightforward; a simple dishwasher cleaner tablet placed in the detergent tray or the bottom of the machine and then running a washing cycle will be sufficient. You may need to clear the filter at the bottom; check your dishwasher’s manual, as some filters are difficult or can’t be removed. Oven cleaning can be more intensive as you need to wipe it down with an oven-cleaning solution and then let it sit while you wash the racks.
Another one of the major appliances in your kitchen you need to take care of is the fridge. Go through your fridge and throw away all the expired food. Now that it’s empty, give it a good wipe-down with disinfectant wipes or spray. Take out any drawers or shelves to thoroughly clean them. Once dry, you can put all your food back in and organize your refrigerator.
What other fixtures to clean around your home
Don’t forget about the appliances outside of your kitchen, like your washer and dryer. Running a washing machine tablet or homemade solution through your washer removes germs, mildew, smells, and any product residue. For the dryer, clean out the lint trap by vacuuming it out. Not only will this help you dry your clothes faster, but it will help prevent fires from happening in your home.
Washing the Floor
Floors get a lot of traffic and use, so they need to be thoroughly cleaned every so often. Be sure to check with your landlord about what kind of floors your home has so you can ensure you have the right cleaner for your floors. It may seem obvious what your floor is made of; however, some materials look alike but require very different cleaning methods.
Before you can clean the floor, you need to remove anything you may have protecting the flooring, like a rug or welcome mat. Start with sweeping or vacuuming to remove any surface dirt, debris, or pet hair. Mop with warm water and floor cleaner to restore shine and remove stubborn stains. For wood floors, mop in the direction of the grain to prevent streaking. Tile floors have grout, which needs a good scrub every once in a while since it can accumulate a lot of dirt.
Effective Carpet Cleaning Tips
Carpet can be tough to get really clean, so consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional service to deep clean and remove dirt and allergens embedded in the carpet. Vacuuming is great for weekly upkeep, but it can’t deep clean like a carpet cleaner can. A carpet cleaner can help eliminate any stains or dirt from daily life or that your pet may have caused. If you cannot afford a carpet cleaner or a professional cleaning, you can spot-treat any stains with a carpet cleaner spray.
Cleaning your area rugs is just as important as your carpeted flooring. Washable rugs are convenient because you can throw them right into the washing machine while following any care instructions. Otherwise, run the carpet cleaner over them and spot-treat to get them as clean as possible.
To really deep clean area rugs, you can hand-clean them as they have a much smaller surface area than an entire carpet floor. Carpet cleaning foams can be applied to the entire rug just follow the directions.
Whether you put your rug in the washer or hand-wash it, don’t put it in the dryer to dry it; lay it flat on a table or outside. Be careful if you are hanging them to dry rather than laying them flat, as it could mess up their shape.
Wash Your Sheets, Linens, and Bedding
There’s no better time than spring to refresh your sheets, linens, or bedding. Strip your bed and gather all your linens, including ones outside of your bedroom like throw blankets and pillows. Then wash everything according to their care instructions.
Don’t overfill the washing machine. Check the temperature at which you are washing, too. Washing at the hottest temperature is best to clean and kill anything lurking in the sheets. However, if your sheets are more delicate, you might opt for a warm instead of hot temperature. Try adding a few drops of essential oils in addition to your laundry detergent to add a subtle and natural scent.
For bedding that only needs to be washed every couple of months, like a comforter or quilt, doing so at the start of the season helps you create a routine and not forget.
While the wash is running, take this opportunity to vacuum your mattress to remove dust, mites, and allergens. You should also rotate or flip your mattress to ensure it is worn evenly. Once your bedding is clean and dry, make your bed with fresh sheets. Climbing into your freshly made bed at the end of the day will feel like heaven after you finish cleaning.
Deep Cleaning Your Bathroom Made Simple
Last but certainly not least, spring cleaning gives you the opportunity to deep clean your bathroom. Remove all your personal hygiene and products so your counters, shower, and tub are empty.
How to clean your bathroom counters and mirror
Scrub your sink and countertop with either a cleaning solution and sponge or a bush to get rid of any scum on the surfaces. Spray it down with a disinfectant spray, wait a minute, then wipe it away. This is the time to clean often forgotten parts like the sink, faucet, and drain.
It may take a video to figure out how to get the drain stopper out but pulling it out and cleaning it is important as it can get quite nasty. Keep the drain running well by using a drain cleaning solution. This can be done with any sink in your house, like the kitchen. Finally, clean your mirror by using some glass cleaner and a rag until the mirror shines!
Easy steps to clean your toilet
Take your time to make sure you clean your toilet well. Thoroughly scrub the toilet inside with some toilet cleaner and a toilet brush. Get every nook and cranny with the brush before flushing. Then, wipe down the outside, toilet seat, and lid with disinfectant wipes or spray.
Shower and tub cleaning hacks
Moving on to the bigger items like your shower and tub, take down your shower curtain and liner. If your shower curtain and liner can go in the washing machine, follow the care instructions and throw it in while you clean everything else. Plastic liners should be spread over a flat surface and wiped down with a cleaning solution.
For the tub, spray it with some bathtub cleaner, scrub it with a sponge or brush, and give it a good rinse. Check to see what kind of tub or tub finish you have, as some surfaces may require a more delicate touch. While you don’t need to clean the grout every week, giving it a good scour during spring cleaning can help keep it looking amazing year after year.
Cleaning the tub faucet and your shower head will keep them working well. Taking the showerhead off and letting it soak in a vinegar solution will help break down any build-up. The drain needs to be cleaned too; remove the drain stopper and clean it off and run some drain cleaner down the drain before putting the stopper back in. When you’re done, your bathroom will smell amazing and feel fresh and clean!
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Furniture
You don’t need to clean your furniture frequently but giving it a good vacuum and wash keeps it looking good and helps it last longer. Use a vacuum with a brush to clean all the surfaces and crevices of your furniture. Double-check hard-to-access places like the under the cushions of your couch to get all the dirt and crumbs.
Different furniture requires specific kinds of cleaning. For example, wood is best wiped with warm, soapy water, while your couch could be cleaned with a mild detergent and steam vacuum. If you haven’t cleaned your furniture in a while or don’t have time, getting a professional company may be the best choice. They have specialized equipment and products that can make your furniture look new.
Decorating Your Apartment
Once you have finished all your spring cleaning, take this opportunity to create a cozy and inviting home that you can enjoy throughout the season. Brighten your apartment by adding soft throws and decorative pillows in pastel colors to your sofa or armchairs. To bring the lovely spring weather inside, add fresh flowers or potted plants throughout your home.
Consider lighting candles or diffusing essential oils with relaxing scents such as lavender or eucalyptus to create a soothing and calming ambiance. Taking the time to enhance the atmosphere of your home by cleaning it will turn it into a self-care haven where you can unwind and rejuvenate after a busy day.
This article was originally published on March 21, 2024.
FAQs
How do I clean carpet stains?
There are many methods to get carpet stains out, so try them out and find the one you have the most success with. Pick up a carpet stain remover at the store or try a home concoction like baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. Different methods work better depending on the stain. For example, hydrogen peroxide mixed with dish soap is a tried-and-true method for coffee or tea. The key to success is treating the stain as soon as it happens; don’t wait.
How often should you wash your bed sheets?
Sheets should be washed every couple of weeks, and the comforter or quilt on top should be washed every one to two months. Follow the care instructions that come with your bedding when washing it.
Which cleaning products should I use?
There are some basic cleaning supplies that you should always keep in your apartment, like distilled white vinegar, baking soda, toilet brush, toilet bowl cleaner, and disinfectant wipes. However, you need to check which products you can use on different surfaces. If what you are using to clean isn’t compatible with what you are cleaning, then you run the risk of damage.
Do I need to clean my apartment before I move out?
Before you move out of your apartment, be sure to get it as close to its original move-in condition as possible. While normal wear is expected, leaving it in great condition helps prevent any issues with the landlord. Hiring a cleaning company could be worth it if you don’t think you can do it yourself.
