Feeling cluttered in your own home after the winter season? Thankfully, it’s that time of the year again. Cleaning out the things you realize you don’t need and in the process, reorganizing every little detail in your home. Oh, the joys of spring cleaning! Whether you enjoy this event or not, cleaning your home can keep you more organized and feel more productive. Plus looking at a newly cleaned space can help with your mental and physical health.
Living in an apartment or condo means you have a smaller space to clean, fortunately, or unfortunately (if you can’t get enough of it). There are useful tools to own that fit into places that are shared or where you don’t have too much storage space. Here are helpful tips and tricks when it comes to spring cleaning to get the job done faster and more efficiently.
Use Space-Efficient Tools
1. Sponges
Instead of a bad quality two-use sponge, buy a pack of sponges that have an abrasive side as well as a softer side. The temperature-controlled Scrub Daddy has so many options for home cleaning, with their products being extremely durable.
2. Microfiber Cloths
If you’re looking for a material to clean your windows or mirrors, microfiber cloths are a great option to keep in mind. The material is great at wicking away dirty spots, and you really only have to soak them in water. They won’t leave any scratches or damage to the surfaces you clean.
3. A Squeegee
If your apartment bathroom has a glass door or just the normal tile walls, having a squeegee to use after each shower will prevent mildew and mold. This doesn’t just go for spring cleaning, but it’s a useful practice to implement into everyday showers.
4. A Toothbrush or Scrub brush
Getting into the tiny nooks and crannies can prove to be a pain if your brush isn’t small enough. Grabbing an old toothbrush can do the trick or buying a set of different-sized scrub brushes can help you switch out when possible.
5. Broom, Dustpan, or a Swiffer
For hard flooring, having these items will be a lifesaver, rather than using other methods. Using the original Swiffer can save on space as well as being able to use a dry or wet method to clean the stains off the ground.
6. A Sturdy Vacuum
Living in an apartment or condo probably means a smaller storage space. It’s more space-efficient to have a lighter/thinner vacuum cleaner than one of the big ones. But that doesn’t mean the product has to be any less in quality. If you’re a hands-free type of person, a Roomba may be the choice for you. For a lighter one, the Eureka models have great reviews. For a vacuum that can be stored under the bed, Dyson has got your back.
What to Clean in Your Apartment
Now, what exactly is there to clean during spring cleaning? It can be anything really. Traditionally people clean their whole home. From the bedroom to the kitchen, from dusting the countertops to wiping all the knobs and handles. Spring cleaning is also a great time to clean out the closet or bookshelves. Grab a huge bag, sort out the items you don’t need or want anymore and donate them to the nearest thrift store. If you need a few extra bucks, you can even pick out items in good condition and sell them.
Before you jump right into cleaning each room, make a plan of what exactly to clean. This helps you pick out the right tools and cleansers for each item/room. Make sure to dust everywhere first. Ceiling fan, lights, window blinds, vents, radiators, and even your baseboards. Be sure to focus on nooks and crannies that you may not usually dust. If you happen to live in a walkup with no cleaning staff, it might not hurt to clean the outside of your apartment. Dust and dirt can easily accumulate right outside of your doorway entrance, and you’ll simply bring in more dust the next time you enter your home.
Cleaning the inside and outside of your toilet, clearing out your closet, and wiping down and reorganizing your pantry are basics but consider cleaning the inside and outside of your fridge or deep cleaning your couch cushion covers. Your fridge can easily accumulate food particles or your couch can be a hotbed for dust mites (eww) which can lead to health concerns down the road. If cleaning gets overwhelming, consider cleaning room by room. This way, you can check a room off the list and move on to the next with no worries.
Cleaning Supplies
There is a multitude of cleaning supplies and products that can be used. Some of the basics include a grease cleaner, bleach, white vinegar, baking soda, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, glass cleaner, and a dishwashing liquid.
Some products you have to mix for best results would include baking soda with lemon juice to get rid of odors or vinegar and baking soda can be effective for tiles and countertops. However, using chemicals to clean is like 8th-grade chemistry. Some substances mixed with others are going to cause a harsh, toxic reaction. Bleach and vinegar should never be mixed, as the two together produce chlorine gas. A lot of glass cleaners contain ammonia, so never mix a liquid like that with bleach. They react to produce a gas called chloramine which can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Ever watched those movies where a kidnapper puts a rag over someone’s face and they immediately blackout? That can happen if you mix bleach with rubbing alcohol. Basically, just use bleach as it is, or dilute it with water.
With these tips and tools in mind, make your plans and happy spring cleaning!