Looking out my window today in Niagara, it’s hard to see any signs of spring, but it is just around the corner and what better way to welcome it in advance, than with a bit of spring cleaning? Whether you can dedicate a whole Saturday or Sunday or just a few hours, these cleaning tips will help freshen up and sanitize your in-door space, while you wait for the snow to melt.

1. De-clutter! 

You can’t properly clean if you have piles of random stuff everywhere. Marie Kondo a renowned tidying expert encourages keeping only the items in our life “that spark joy.” Deciding what to keep, trash or donate can be freeing.

2. Tackle one room at a time 

One at a time is good fishing or so the saying goes, so keeping to one room until it’s completed cleaned will make you feel accomplished and focused. Going back and forth between rooms can be time wasting and ultimately frustrating because nothing is completely finished.

3. Organize your cleaning items 

I like to use environmentally friendly products, so I clean with microfiber cloths, vinegar and water. I have a hand held basket with my spray bottles, cloths and small duster that goes with me from room to room.

4. Vacuum your ceiling and walls 

It’s hard to see the cobwebs but believe me, they’re there! So vacuum from top to bottom. Wipe walls down including baseboards. Open the windows. Dust all surfaces. Clean light fixtures, light bulbs, mirrors, door handles, switch-plates and railings. Sweep and mop floors. Steam clean or shampoo any carpet. While you’re at it, vacuum your couch – get under the cushions. You’ll be amazed at what you find!

5. Wash ’em 

Wash or have washed – all curtains, bedding, and throw rugs. Consider investing in a tiered, foldable drying rack to hang some of your items.

6. Muck out the entire fridge 

Wipe out the drawers and shelves. Get rid of stale/past due date items – I’m looking at you mayo – plus any leftovers in the freezer clearly suffering from freezer burn – that you are never going to eat.

7. Clean your oven 

These days, most ovens are self-cleaning either with high temperature or steam and when the cycle is finished, all you have to do is clean out what remains. Or instead, you can wipe down the oven by hand with hot, soapy water and a plastic scrub pad – avoiding harsh chemicals.

8. Clean inside your microwave 

It can get pretty gunky in there so a quick tip is to fill a microwaveable bowl with 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar and microwave it on high for 5 minutes. The steam will loosen any baked on food and it’ll be a breeze to clean it.

9. Dust electronics

These include your computers, keyboards, TV remote controls, play stations and stereos – using microfiber or electrostatic cloths.

10. Order in dinner – you deserve it!

Plus you’ll be supporting local restaurants so it’s a win-win for everybody!