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Here in upstate New York, we’ve still got snow and freezing temperatures, so spring seems like it’s still going to be a long time coming. Spring cleaning may have to wait for some time – I don’t see our windows opening to let the fresh air in any time soon – but there are things to do to get ready for that annual housecleaning that comes after a winter where many chores get neglected due to the weather. Here are four things you can do to get a head start on your spring cleaning, which shouldn’t take too much time out of your day:
Take out the recyclables.
We live in a townhouse development, so we have a shared Dumpster in our courtyard where we can bring all of our trash and recyclables. With all of the snow and winter weather, it’s been difficult to keep up with the recycling, as the containers have been rather inaccessible. I counted, and I have at least seven giant bottles (all empty) of laundry detergent and brightener that need to stop cluttering up my laundry room counter. Gathering up the recyclables and taking them out to the “curb” will probably clear out a lot of clutter in households like mine!
Catch up on the laundry.
Raise your hand if you have piles of laundry on your bathroom or bedroom floors. It’s not the washing and drying that gets me – it’s the folding. So it piles up. Simply SoapBerry sent me a sample of their laundry detergent to test out, and I was impressed with the results. I tend to forget when I have laundry in the washing machine, so it can sit there for a few hours before it gets put into the dryer. Well, occasionally I forget a load of laundry overnight. This happened with one of the loads I did with Simply SoapBerry, and I’m happy to report that I didn’t need to wash the clothes a second time with a splash of white vinegar. The forgotten load of laundry still smelled fresh, and I was able to toss everything in the dryer straight away. I also like how the detergent is plant-based, non-GMO, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable. You have to take care of any stray piles of laundry before you can even think about cleaning your floors.
Fill a trash bag this weekend.
Clutter builds up when you’re not paying attention. Unless you’re an impeccable housekeeper – which I am not – you could probably take a trash bag in hand right now and find enough old papers, packaging, and other junk to fill it up in the next 10 minutes. If you’re having trouble filling it, try looking in your pantry and your refrigerator. Anything you can clean up now will make it much easier to get the job done when you get into your more thorough spring cleaning.
Give the bathroom a once-over.
Grab your Scrubbing Bubbles or your Magic Eraser and give your bathtub and shower a good washing. Don’t forget the ledges, because they get gross, too. (Since I take baths every day, I’ve become quite familiar with what needs to be taken care of!) Get the toilet cleaner that doesn’t require scrubbing, unless you prefer to scrub. Spritz the mirrors with glass cleaner and make them sparkle. Depending on how long it’s been since you last did these things, you could be done in under 20 minutes.
Are there other quick tasks you like to do in preparation for spring cleaning? Let me know!
That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.
