Spring Cleaning Preparation

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start, and what better way to kick it off than with some good old-fashioned spring cleaning? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to make sure your home feels fresh and spotless. Follow along and get ready for your most successful spring-cleaning season ever!

1. Make a spring-cleaning checklist.
   Spring cleaning can seem overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start or what to do. Making a list of all your spring-cleaning tasks can help organize your thoughts and formulate a game plan. Once you have your list, prioritize the individual tasks. This is the best way to determine your plan moving forward. Is there an area that needs cleaning more than others? Prioritizing it first will ensure that it gets completed. Low-priority tasks are usually easier, so it is better to save them for last when you may have less energy for cleaning. If you are having trouble creating your spring-cleaning list, we can help with that! Check out our spring-cleaning checklist and customize it to fit your needs.
2. Schedule your cleaning time.
   Plan a time for spring cleaning and mark it on the calendar. Do not schedule any other appointments or non-related tasks for these days. It will help you stay focused. Divide the tasks you have written down on the list you created and assign them to the day(s) you have blocked. If you cannot block an entire day, block several hours on separate days. Make sure you block enough time to complete the tasks scheduled for that day.
3. Declutter your home.
   Nothing gets in the way of cleaning more than stuff. Decluttering is something you can do indoors, so there is no need to wait for spring weather to get started. Purging your home of items that are not being used, taking up space, and collecting dust before you start your spring cleaning will save time and energy later. Closets and junk drawers are usually a good place to start, as they tend to accumulate the most unneeded items throughout the year. If you have not used it since last year, get rid of it! Here are some tips for decluttering:

• Get five category bags ready: save, donate, recycle, trash, and sell.
• Go into decluttering with a realistic mindset. If it takes a lot of energy and time (that you know you do not have) to sell something, you are not going to sell it. Donate it instead. Be realistic and you will be happier with the results.
• Start small. A failed attempt at decluttering can make things worse by shuffling things out of their storage areas and into living spaces. Make sure you have the time necessary to complete the area you are decluttering. Stopping and starting again usually does not work well.
• Declutter your storage spaces first, including closets, attics, and basements. Many times, the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” items become hidden in these areas. Getting rid of these items now will open storage space for items you want to keep.
• Allocate decluttering time. Whether it is 10 minutes a day or one hour every Saturday, scheduling declutter time into your routine will make it easier to complete.
• Tackle one area at a time and complete that area before moving on. One completed area is better than several half-completed areas. Tackling one area at a time will keep you organized.
• When you have everything pulled out, go ahead, and clean the area. Vacuum the closet or wipe down the drawer.
• Take before and after pictures. Few things can give you a better feeling of satisfaction than seeing the results of your hard work!

1. Don’t forget to look down!
   When was the last time you cleaned your carpets? Carpets can harbor a significant amount of dirt and grime, making them one of the primary culprits for household mess. Carpets have constant contact with feet, shoes, and paws driving dirt deep into their fibers.  Not only can carpets get very dirty over time, they also often can get overlooked when making a cleaning checklist. Vacuuming alone does not suffice because vacuuming can only clean the surface level of the fibers. Carpets require thorough cleaning to remove the deep down dirt and grime. With warmer weather facilitating quicker carpet drying, there is no better time to address this task. After a dazzling spring-cleaning session, you will be ready to embrace the summer months.
2. Make Cleaning Fun and Enjoy your results.
   Deep cleaning does not have to be a chore. Think of ways to make it more exciting; turn it into a workout or turn on your favorite tunes and dance around the house. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after deep cleaning your space!

Spring is the best time to refresh your home and Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental is happy to help you get the best DIY results. We wish you a warm spring filled with bright colors and plenty of sunshine!