20 Spring Cleaning Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Posted March 19, 2018

Outside temperatures are on the rise, daylight savings time is in full swing and everyone’s car is covered in pollen. Signs of spring have been lurking for weeks across the Lowcountry but today, the calendar says it’s officially here!

After you dance around and celebrate, it’s time to start thinking about the not-so-fun but always satisfying task of spring cleaning your home. We’re helping you out with some advice that will have you enjoying the season without thoughts of decluttering looming over you.

Last year, we teamed up with Keri Scott of Once Upon A Clutter to put together a blog series all about this annual to-do. We’re sharing those posts with you again as a refresher.

Take a read and get your plan together:

We think that covers the big picture – Feeling motivated? Here are 20 simple tips, tricks, and ideas to help you declutter and clean the main spaces in your home.

Kitchen

Deep clean your fridge and freezer. Throw away anything questionable – this includes expired condiments and any food that has accumulated a layer of freezer burn.
Give your microwave some TLC. Place a bowl of water with citrus and vinegar in the microwave. Turn it on and let it steam. When it’s finished, you should be able to easily wipe away food, debris, and splatter.
Keep countertop clutter under control by storing frequently used items on a vintage or wooden tray.
Soak stove knobs, grills, and other removable items in hot soapy water to make cleaning them fast and easy. If they are particulary grimy, you can then throw them in the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

Living Room

This is an excellent time to pull out and sweep and/or vacuum behind and under your furniture.
If books and toys seem to be taking over the main room in your home, invest in some large baskets that can be used to quickly and easily store items in a functional and attractive way. The baskets can be eclectic and you will likely find a nice selection at your local Goodwill.
This is the time to finally address those items that are always forgotten in your regular weekly cleaning sessions. Take time to dust and clean ceiling fans, lamp shades, light bulbs, and high shelves.
Toss your throw blankets in the washing machine. They probably need it after heavy use all winter.

Bedroom

Wash ALL your bedding! Yes, even your mattress and duvet covers. Use hot water to kill germs.
Once your bed is stripped, sprinkle your mattress with baking soda, allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then vacuum it up for a refreshing clean.
Clean out and organize your closet. This part of your home can easily become cluttered and it can be hard to see what you even own. Remove everything and sort things into piles for keeping and donating before reorganizing as you put everything away.
Go through your drawers and get rid of anything you aren’t using regularly. A good rule of thumb is to donate anything you haven’t worn in more than a year.

Bathroom

Throw out old medicine. Find a community collection so that you can get rid of any old medications them responsibly and safely. The next National “Drug Take Back Day” is April 28, 2018.
Wash your bathmats, towels, and even the show curtain. Same protocol as the sheets – hot water is most effective.
We know it’s not fun but clean the toilet and then take a few extra minutes to disinfect the cleaning brush by letting it soak in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Because of the humid atmosphere in the bathroom, things can get a layer of buildup and grime. Wipe and dust everything from the floorboards to the vent fans to prevent mildew from creeping in.

Office

Clear desk paper clutter by sorting into groups to file or shred. Did you know Goodwill often holds shred events to help you safely get rid of any document with sensitive information? Keep tabs on our Facebook page for details on our next one.
Go through the junk drawer and toss or donate anything you don’t need.
Once you’ve got your actual desktop under control, spend an afternoon cleaning up your computer desktop. By filing, deleting, and organizing, you’ll be able to find what you need faster and keep your computer working as best as possible.
Brighten up your workspace and help purify the air with a new plant.

Once you’ve got your donations together, stop by any local Goodwill location. Our staff will help you unload your car and you’ll be on to the rest of your day. Wondering what you can donate? We’ll take almost anything and put it to good use but click here for some surprising items you may not have thought about.

This is an especially busy time for Goodwill with many families taking the turn of the season as a cue to clean, sort, and donate. We welcome the amazing items we get from our community, which makes the next few weeks also an excellent time to shop. Whether you’re looking to refresh your home or wardrobe, you’re likely to find something you love.

Declutter, Donate, Spring Cleaning

Palmetto Goodwill