It\u2019s <\/span>almost springtime<\/span><\/a>, and you know what that means \u2026 spring cleaning! Whether you live in a <\/span>home in Bellevue<\/span><\/a> or an <\/span>apartment in Denver<\/span><\/a>, this annual task is inescapable, but will leave your place feeling fresh and ready for the warmer days ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n A spring clean<\/span><\/a> doesn\u2019t have to take up an entire day <\/span>if you do it right<\/span><\/a>. With these cleaning tips, you can spend less time sanitizing and more time admiring your <\/span>spotless apartment<\/span><\/a>. Before getting started, Nerina Cervantes with the <\/span>Clean Society<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cA structured, step-by-step approach makes the spring cleaning process manageable and keeps your space feeling fresh year-round.\u201d Now, here are all the tips and tricks you need to know about.<\/span><\/p>\n You can\u2019t start spring <\/span>cleaning<\/span><\/a> if you don\u2019t have the proper tools. Consider picking the following items up from a local store, or borrowing them from a friend:<\/span><\/p>\n The last thing anyone wants is to dread their spring cleaning day. Cody Moore with El Paso Cleaning Pros says, \u201cMusic can significantly improve your mood and motivation. Put on your favorite playlist to reduce stress and improve focus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n If you have a dog or cat in your apartment, chances are your floors are <\/span>caked with hair<\/span><\/a>. Save your poor vacuum from getting instantly clogged with pet hair by turning to your shower squeegee for help.<\/span><\/p>\n This will remove the large clumps of hair from the carpet. Go through a second time with the vacuum to finish the job.<\/span><\/p>\n Sheila Halek with the <\/span>National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals Minnesota Chapter<\/span><\/a> (NAPO), suggests, \u201cGo one room at a time, or even one drawer at a time. Make sure that like items are with like items, i.e., batteries are all in one space.\u201d It\u2019s easier to just clean one room at a time. You\u2019ll feel much better when you can cross a whole room off of your list and move onto the next. Somehow the entire process just seems much more manageable that way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Juan Serrano with <\/span>Reno City Cleaning<\/span><\/a> shares how when it comes to decluttering, take a \u201ctop-to-bottom approach to ensure a fresh, rejuvenated home.\u201d This means looking up first and making your way down through any storage until you arrive at the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n If you thrive on making lists, you\u2019re in luck. Kim McClure, professional organizer for <\/span>360 Organizing Atlanta<\/span><\/a> recommends, \u201cCreate a bullet list of the things you will need to do and steps you will need to take in order to complete the project.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n As you\u2019re going through each room, Candace Evia with <\/span>Simply Minimally Me<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cStart by asking yourself, would I pack this for my future home? If not, why keep it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You may want to start with your least favorite room or the space that will require the most effort. Leaving that room till the end isn\u2019t the best idea, because you\u2019ll be exhausted by the time you reach it. You\u2019ll be happy you left the easy spaces for last.<\/span><\/p>\n The kitchen is easily one of those spots where much of the year is spent and entertaining unfolds. Azalea Rivera, owner of <\/span>Essential Cleaning Company<\/span><\/a> in <\/span>Napa<\/span><\/a> recommends, \u201cOrganize your pantry by discarding expired items and arranging shelves for easier access.\u201d Having a tidier kitchen may just lead to a more fulfilling cooking experience throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n Be certain your pantry organization makes your life easier. To do so, Austin Palmer with <\/span>Ace of Space Organizing<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cOrganize pantry items in clear, labeled containers to make meal prep a breeze and maintain a tidy kitchen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s going to be very difficult to vacuum your floors and dust your tables when there is <\/span>clutter everywhere<\/span><\/a>. Kerry Proctor, owner and professional organizer for <\/span>BrightHome Organizing<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cClear before you clean by decluttering first. Spend time in each room identifying which items you would like to carry forward with you into the rest of the year.\u201d As you\u2019re decluttering, either put away, recycle, <\/span>throw away or donate items<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Stanley Pygott with <\/span>Patriot Hauling and Junk Removal<\/span><\/a> cautions, \u201cCheck your local municipalities for a list of your local recyclables and dispose of them in accordance with your apartment. If you find yourself with larger items needing to be disposed of, Stanley adds, \u201cReach out to your local and reputable junk removal companies and schedule an estimate for their services.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Creating systems will help you stay on track during your spring cleaning process and speed things along. Elaine Kelly with <\/span>Organized Living By Elaine<\/span><\/a> recommends, \u201cCreate three piles: keep, donate, and toss.\u201d Organize your belongings into these three piles until everything has been put into its place.<\/span><\/p>\n During your spring cleaning endeavours, Shannon Parker, professional organizer for <\/span>Arrange For It<\/span><\/a> shares how this applies to clothes. She says, \u201cNow is a great time to purge any winter clothes you didn\u2019t wear, or that are ripped or stained.\u201d She adds how by getting rid of these items, you\u2019ll also start making room to welcome in warm, summer attire.<\/span><\/p>\n Jamie McPhaul with <\/span>Tidy Crescent Home Organizing<\/span><\/a> recommends, \u201cStart with high-impact areas like entryways, kitchen counters, and bathroom cabinets. If these spaces are piling up, it\u2019s often because drawers and cabinets are already full.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n But, don\u2019t get rid of everything. Cari Thompson with <\/span>Organize Luxe<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cKeep the things you simply love and adore, but be ruthless with the rest. Odds are that you probably don\u2019t need most of what you have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For those afraid of parting with an item, but understand it\u2019s necessary, Maria Reed with <\/span>House Cleaning Reno<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cTake photos of that particular item. You won\u2019t lose the memory and will gain more room instead. If it is something you don\u2019t want to part with, consider giving it to someone who may need it and love it as much as you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Spring cleaning doesn\u2019t mean getting rid of everything you own. Some items are meant to stay for the long haul. For those sacred pieces, Kristen and Alison with <\/span>Clean Slate Home Organization<\/span><\/a> suggest, \u201cOnce you know what you\u2019re keeping, measure your space and then shop for bins or storage products that will fit perfectly.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aside from bins, don\u2019t underestimate the power of vertical space. Kristen and Alison recommend using \u201chooks, shelving, or storage to keep things off the floor and reduce clutter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Gather all of your cleaning tools and place them into a shower caddy. This way, you won\u2019t have to keep walking back and forth to your cleaning supply closet to retrieve what you\u2019re looking for. You\u2019ll have everything you need right at your feet.<\/span><\/p>\n If you live with <\/span>roommates<\/span><\/a>, they should definitely be <\/span>helping you out<\/span><\/a> with this spring clean. But if you live in your apartment alone, you can turn to friends or family for assistance. Having a few people help you out can turn a full day of cleaning into only a half day.<\/span><\/p>\n Granted, nobody is going to excitedly volunteer for this task, so you may have to give them something in return. Free lunch, a free drink or promising to help them clean their apartment are good starting points. I\u2019m sure you guys can <\/span>figure something out<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n No matter what room you\u2019re in, always <\/span>dust <\/span><\/a>ceiling fans, light fixtures, and wall art first. William Alejandro with <\/span>Smart Clean Building Maintenance<\/span><\/a> in <\/span>Brentwood<\/span><\/a> adds, \u201cTackle those often-overlooked spots like window blinds, baseboards, sills, and vents.\u201d If you leave this task for last, you may end up cleaning your floors twice thanks to the flying dust. Use a microfiber dust cloth or the soft nozzle attachment on your vacuum to dust those dirty areas on your walls and ceiling.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, the team with <\/span>Austin Skyline Cleaning<\/span><\/a> shares how dusting can contribute to \u201cimproved air quality that creates a fresher space.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to look beyond eye-level when dusting. <\/span>Reno Custom Cleaning<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cLook up! You\u2019d be surprised how much dust and cobwebs are on all your high areas in your home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Chances are, you\u2019ll be using a sponge to wipe down your kitchen and <\/span>bathroom<\/span><\/a>, but your sponges may be covered in bacteria from previous use. Germs and bacteria tend to grow there, so you\u2019ll only be spreading dirt around your apartment if you don\u2019t clean them first.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"flower](\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/maria-3GrqSh8C4_E-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n1. Stock up on what you need<\/span><\/h2>\n
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2. Have fun, play music<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n3. Use a Squeegee to remove pet hair<\/span><\/h2>\n
4. Go room by room<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n5. Get rid of the clutter<\/span><\/h2>\n
6. Store your keepsakes in bins or maximize vertical space<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n7. Use a shower caddy<\/span><\/h2>\n
8. Recruit help<\/span><\/h2>\n
9. Dust ceiling and wall fixtures first<\/span><\/h2>\n
10. Microwave sponges<\/span><\/h2>\n
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