It's spring again, and we all know what that means…….spring cleaning. That means REALLY cleaning, not just picking up a little. It means moving the couch, wiping the blades of the ceiling fan, and getting behind the refrigerator. If you’re like most people, it’s not your favorite thing to do, but we all know it has to be done. There are, however, things that you should never do when spring cleaning, and they’re called the “seven deadly sins of spring cleaning.”
- 1. Doing all the heavy lifting yourself — Obviously, the best thing to do is get someone to help you. If that’s not an option, keep heavy objects close to your body, don’t bend at the waist, and lift with your legs. Above all, remember to breathe.
- 2. Mixing cleaning products — If you mix cleaners like ammonia and bleach, bleach and vinegar, or rubbing alcohol and bleach, you’re in danger of releasing chlorine gas, corrosive liquid, and fumes that can be toxic. Your best bet is to clean with baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is abrasive and vinegar is acidic, but when they’re mixed together, they neutralize each other and become a great cleaner.
- 3. Trying to do it all at once — Break your cleaning into smaller, manageable tasks, or you’ll end the day with all the furniture moved and everything in disarray.
- 4. Cleaning before decluttering — Before you start cleaning, do some serious decluttering. Get rid of things you haven’t used in a year or more. Then you’ll not only have less to clean, but you won’t have to backtrack.
- 5. Forgetting the mattress and garbage cans — Even if it’s not stained and smelly, your mattress needs cleaning. Also, don’t forget the inside of your garbage cans……and your remote control.
- 6. Not having the right cleaning supplies — You don’t need a ton of gear to deep clean, but you can’t clean your house with a single old rag either. The basics include an all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, microfiber cloth, scrub brush, a hand duster, mop and bucket, a broom, and garbage bags.
- 7. Relying on a moment of inspiration — If you’re having motivation problems, nothing solves them like the fear of other people judging you. So, throw a springtime party. If your house really sparkles, all your friends will silently feel shame for their own slovenliness, and that’s a win-win.
