Spring Cleaning Made Easy

Spring is a season for renewal, and one way to refresh your life is by giving your home a deep clean and getting rid of unnecessary items.

If the idea of spring cleaning is overwhelming, don’t fret! Follow these steps to simplify the process and transform your home into a tidy abode.

1. Get organized

Before you start cleaning, clear out the clutter. Use boxes to designate which items to keep, donate, sell and toss. Put the items you’re keeping in their rightful places.

2. Do a deep clean

When was the last time you washed your baseboards, door frames or walls? These spots are often overlooked, but should be cleaned at least once a year. Squirt some dishwashing liquid into a bucket of warm water, and use a sponge to scrub these surfaces.

3. Freshen furniture

Leather and wood pieces are especially prone to showing wear and tear. Restore smooth leather with upholstery cleaner and conditioner, and use a suede brush for nubuck leather. For wood furniture, buy cleaner and polish designed for wood or make your own: Mix ½ teaspoon of olive oil and ½ cup of vinegar or lemon juice in a spray bottle and spritz onto a microfiber cloth.

4. Streamline your closet

Organize your wardrobe based on season, and store the items you’re not wearing to make room for spring and summer outfits. Store winter gear in labeled containers so you’ll know where to find it when the weather cools down.

5. Home inspection

While you’re cleaning and organizing, don’t forget about your family’s safety. Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and buy a fire extinguisher if you don’t have one or yours is expired.

6. Improve curb appeal

Even if you have no plans to sell your house, curb appeal is important. A new paint job can make your home look like the best on the block. Most homes will need to be repainted every five to seven years, depending on climate.2 If your home doesn’t require a makeover this year, consider power washing the exterior to freshen it up and prevent mold and mildew growth.3

7. Fix up outdoor furniture

Chairs, tables and other furniture on your deck or patio are out in the elements all day, every day and can be battered by hail, rain and snow. Scrub dirt and debris off the furniture, wash cushions and use outdoor spray enamel to touch up chips on painted pieces.

8. Focus on your most-used rooms

Chances are, your bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchen get the most use in your house. That means these rooms are more likely to be dirty and disorganized, even if you clean them regularly. Bathroom: toss out old or expired products and replace worn bath mats and shower curtains. Bedroom: flip the mattress, wash blankets and rugs and put pillows outside to air out. Kitchen: clean out cabinets and the pantry, install shelf liners and vacuum behind and under appliances.

What Should I Get Rid Of?

When decluttering, it can be difficult to figure out what to keep and what to sell, donate or throw away. Here are some items that may need a new home:

Rarely used gifts

It’s the thought that counts, but maybe the Star Wars waffle maker your cousin gave you for Christmas or the mermaid tail blanket you got for your birthday doesn’t fit with your lifestyle. Consider selling the gift or donating it to charity if it’s in good condition.

Old paperwork

Shred old bills and receipts you don’t need anymore, toss out completed school assignments and throw out magazines you don’t plan on reading. Store important paperwork, like tax forms and personal documents, in a file cabinet or another secure place.

Trendy clothes

Trends come and go, and when those tube tops you bought are no longer in style, it may be time to get rid of them. Donate or sell these pieces and focus your wardrobe on timeless items you wear regularly.

Novelty kitchen gadgets

Avocado slicers and taco holders may be useful, but if they’re taking up precious kitchen space and you use them less than once a month, get rid of them. Try to keep your countertops free of appliances so you have more workspace, and store gadgets in cabinets or the pantry.

Outgrown items

If your house is overflowing with stuffed animals your kids haven’t played with in years or your high school yearbooks from decades ago, say goodbye to some of those things you’ve outgrown. Your child’s baby blanket or your college graduation cap are sentimental items you may want to hold onto, but toss the rest.

Hit Refresh With Some Help

Whether you’re spring cleaning, tidying up for a remodel or scouring the floors after a tenant moves out, you don’t have to do it alone. gotTRASH? offers residential cleanout services for projects of any size in Western New York. We make cleaning easy by hauling away household items and providing dumpsters for convenient trash pickup right where you live.

The staff at gotTRASH? cares about getting your property clean, and we’re dedicated to hard work and customer service.

Call or text us today at (716) 800-2000 to receive your quote and book your cleaning services. If you’d prefer, email us at gottrash@gottrashusa.com

Spring Cleaning Guide: https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/spring-cleaning-guide/

Best Paint Options: https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-long-will-your-paint-job-last.htm?CID=TBL924

How to Powerwash: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/maintenance-repair/how-to-power-wash-exterior-surfaces/