It’s here! Spring is officially here. As you look around your lifeless home, you might be ready for a revamp. The cold winter months are behind us, and now you are ready to breathe new life into your home with vibrant, pretty pastel colors.
As women, we are natural nurturers, and we long for our homes to be a safe place where our families can love on each other and grow closer together (Deuteronomy 6:5-9), which is why many of us enjoy adding that “special touch” to our humble abodes. So, let’s look at ways we can spruce up our homes for spring and maybe let a sense of peace and joy wash over us, too.
Start with Spring Cleaning
Spring has become the infamous time to declutter and organize. Along with that comes the evaluation of “stuff” to keep or toss, to tidy or deep-clean, and to repair or replace. All of this spring cleaning can feel overwhelming and quite daunting, especially if you have limited time and resources or you don’t even know where to start. But, hope is here - on a checklist. So, grab some cleaners and multipurpose cleaning clothes, and let’s get to spring cleaning! Oh, and don’t stress. Just do a few items on the list each day, and within a few weeks, you will have your home sparkling and smelling fresh just in time to decorate with those spring flowers.
In the Kitchen
Wipe down all the appliances and surfaces. Scrub tough stains with a degreaser, if needed, and polish with a cleaner designed for your countertops.
Steam clean your microwave. Fill a glass bowl with water and place chopped lemons with a tablespoon of vinegar inside. Steam on high for about two minutes, then wipe up.
Clean out the fridge. Remove expired goods and wipe down inside. Take out the removable bins and shelves. Then wash them out with warm, soapy water or a cleaner.
Deep clean the stove. Wipe down the exterior and remove any big pieces of gunk on the inside. If your stove has a self-cleaning setting, use that, or use a stove cleaner. Wet, warm cloth cleaners will work best when cleaning the stove. You may also want heavy-duty scrubbing pads for those tough stains.
Wipe down kitchen cabinets. Those cabinets get a lot of wear and tear over the course of a year. Be sure to tighten up any loose hinges and wipe away stains with a wet cloth. You may also need to add a little touch-up paint to the scuffed or chipped areas.
In the Living Areas
Wipe it all down. Get your duster ready and wipe down all surfaces, including tables and chairs. Be sure to wipe down those walls, baseboards, picture frames, and fans, too. Don’t forget those blinds! Scrub off any smears with a wet cloth or touch up with paint. Treat stained wood if needed.
Clean windows, glass, and mirror surfaces. Be sure to use glass cleaner, as other cleaners can streak or smear.
Deep clean flooring. If you have pets, sprinkle a little baking soda on the carpet to help deodorize the floor before vacuuming. If you have tile, sweep, and then mop. If needed, spot treat and fill in grout lines with special paint pens to spruce up dull/dirty-looking tile.
Wash blankets and cloth drapery. Fluff up decorative pillows in the dryer. Vacuum in and under the furniture.
Replace any air filters. Have your AC checked to make sure it's running well before summer. (That’s the southern girl talking in me).
In Bedrooms and Play Areas
Deep clean your closets. Now is a great time to sort through your clothes and your child’s wardrobe and take out what doesn’t fit anymore. You can also take note of what your little people need for the following school year.
Declutter and sanitize toys. Weed through the playroom and your child’s room and make a bag for toys to part with and donate, and toys that need to be thrown out. Then, sanitize the rest by either washing those well-loved stuffed animals or throwing plastic pieces like Legos into the dishwasher. You can also spray them down with disinfectant.
Wash the bedcovers and disinfect the mattresses. Now is the time to wash those bed covers and spray down the bed mattresses with disinfectants like Lysol. Wash those comforters and pillows, too. Use the gentle cycle or follow the care instructions.
Wipe down any trash cans and spray with disinfectant. Wipe down and dust furniture, and don’t forget to wipe down door handles.
Clean any devices and remote controls. Be sure the power is off, and you can wipe down (don’t spray) with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, be sure to remove batteries. Dip a cloth into soapy water and wipe down. For harder-to-reach places, use a cotton swab or toothpick. Wipe dry, and before returning batteries, let them sit still to dry for about five more minutes.
Other Areas
Deep clean bathrooms. Wipe away the gunk. Wipe down countertops: clean toilets, sinks, and tubs.
Clean the washer and dryer. Clean your washing machine with a specialized cleaner, or add bleach and run the cleaning cycle. Wipe the inside and outside down, then pull it out a bit to clean the back and underside. (You may find those missing socks.) Clean out the lint in the dryer by using a vacuum wand to reach into the vent and remove the leftover dryer fuzz beyond the filters on the top. You can pull it out a bit and get behind the dryer, too, just be prepared to find a fuzz monster if you haven’t moved it in a while.
Reorganize those junk drawers and toss out things you don’t use or need anymore.
Clean up your cosmetics, wash your brushes, and get rid of expired makeup and tools.
Keep your drains flowing and smelling fresh by cleaning them out with drain cleaner or baking soda. Sprinkle a cupful of baking soda into your drains, sinks, and bathtubs. Then pour a cup of heated vinegar (microwave for 1 minute) down the drain on top of the baking soda. Let that sit for five minutes, then flush out with warm water from the faucet. Voila!
Now, let’s Make Your Home Come into Full Bloom.
As a Southern gal, as much as I love springtime and opening up my doors and windows to let the spring air in, with that comes the itchy eyes and scratchy throats. Thank you, pollen! However, on low-pollen days and when it is just gorgeous out, I’ll open those doors and windows and let the sunshine in. Ahhh… nothing like vitamin C to refresh the heart and soul. It decorates a home in and of itself and brings happiness into it – thank you, Jesus!
Now for the fun part! Here are five great ways to easily bring life into your home and spruce it up for spring:
Bring in nature. If your yard is bursting with beautiful flowers, cut them and bring them in. Place them in a vase and put them on the coffee table. If you have lots of greenery, make a pretty layout on the kitchen or dining room table and place candles on top. Dash in color with faux flowers.
Use mason jars. These can be used in a variety of ways. You can get a variety of sizes and place flowers, candles, feathers, or even plant seeds in them. Be creative. Your children can even decorate them with glitter and jewels and collect pretty flowers or rocks to put inside. Then place them in the kitchen or bathroom.
Add decorative pillows. You can buy the regular square or rectangular pillows, then buy covers to change out with the seasons. They are so fun to plop around the house, either on a decorative chair in the living room or on the toy chest in the playroom. They really can add a pretty flair to any room.
Add color and texture. Just changing a floor mat can often give any room in your house a fresh look. You can also bring in colorful vases or paintings with pretty spring scenes. Woven baskets add a nice touch as well. They are not only pretty and help with storage and organization, but also add a textural element.
Use your child’s artwork. It’s getting close to the end of the school year, and your child is going to be coming home with some of those pretty spring pictures. Frame them and put them on your walls. Nothing says spring quite like a pretty picture and that sweet smile that comes across your child’s face when you hang it up.
So, there you have it! Easy ways to declutter and decorate your home for this lovely time of year.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Sarah Brown
