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If pulling back the curtains creates a spotlight on the mounds of dust piled up on your furnishings, a good spring cleaning session is in order. Lacking motivation? Think of spring cleaning like working out, you’ll feel great when its over. Once you’re ready to get down and dirty, these five steps will keep you on track to a clean and tidy home.
Declutter
Before you slap on your rubber gloves, get rid of any clutter lingering around. Old stacks of mail, paper work, coupons and any other paper items wreaking havoc in your inbox (a.k.a dining table) must go. Make your life easier by taking the extra step to create a filing system for mail, bills, coupons and important documents. This will prevent future pile-ups from occurring and you’ll always know where to find what you need.
Don’t let junk mail sabotage your efforts. Download the PaperKarma app and get rid of junk mail in a snap. Simply take a photo of the mail you’d like to get rid of and PaperKarma will handle the cancellation.
Tackle the Closet
Tired of never finding anything to wear in your overstuffed closet? Chances are you have to many old and dated pieces of clothing. Make room more room for things you’ll actually wear by getting rid of stuff you don’t. Start by creating three piles: donate, trash and keep. Anything with permanent stains or holes should not be donated as it cannot be re-sold. If you’re not sure what can be donated, visit Goodwill.org for guidelines on donation acceptance. When choosing whether to keep or donate items, use one rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn it in over a year it’s time to let it go.
Get Rid of Dust Bunnies
Spring cleaning requires more than a quick dusting of items. This is your time to get a fresh start by deep cleaning down to the grittiest corners. Make sure you’re equipped with heavy duty cleaning appliances like a quality vacuum. Macy’s full line of Dyson vacuums allows you to choose from a variety of options, including multi-floor vacuums, to make sure every surface of your home is dirt free.
Linens, Curtains and Upholstery
Using your handy-dandy vacuum, take a few minutes to run the handheld attachment through your drapes and upholstered furniture. Check items for stains and spot clean if necessary. Take time to read the washing instructions on your linens and sheets before washing to keep them crisp and clean. If you’d like to take this step to the next level, do a complete change over of linens and curtains from warm winter styles to bright and lively bedding and window treatments.
Deep Clean the Floors
Once you’ve sucked up every last trace of dust and debris from your floor, its time to make them sparkly clean. Before you start preparing your mop and bucket, do some research on the best methods of floor maintenance. Deep cleaning your floors varies depending on the type of flooring you have. Martha Stewart’s Spring Cleaning 101 guide provides excellent tips on the best cleaning methods for wood, vinyl, stone and tile floors.
