Guide For Spring Cleaning

Now that the coldest winter months are behind us, we can begin to look forward to the warmth and sunshine that spring brings. In March, daylight savings time began and the Spring Equinox took place on March 19th, signifying the start of a new, warmer season. This means that it is time to prepare for the annual task referred to as ‘spring cleaning.’ We know that this can be intimidating, especially while it’s still cold outside, but we have created a guide to help you make the most of spring cleaning this year!

Before you begin, it is important to write a prioritized list of everything you want to clean, as well as when and how you want to clean them. Take a moment to think about the high-traffic areas of your home that might need some extra care, and any areas that are often skipped during routine cleaning. We also recommend making a list of all cleaning supplies you currently have in your home, and create a separate list for what you will need more of. Regardless of where you choose to begin this process, or how you prioritize your tasks, making a detailed list and sticking to a schedule will help you complete your spring cleaning in a timely manner. 

When creating the lists, it can be helpful to take what is known as a ‘top-down’ approach. Typically, a top-down approach involves starting the process by cleaning the places that are closest to your ceiling first, and then making your way down towards the items closer to the floor. This process forces dust, dirt, and other debris to fall to the floor, and will keep you from cleaning certain areas more than once. Someone using a top-down cleaning approach could start by cleaning any light fixtures or ceiling fan blades, then continue down to tables and windows, and finally wrap up by cleaning baseboards and washing carpets or rugs. 

Decluttering is one of the most important components of spring cleaning. This involves getting rid of items in your home that you no longer have use for. To many, this might seem like the most unpleasant task of all, however it can be surprising how big of a difference just a little decluttering can make. It is often easiest to start this process on a room-by-room basis. Take a look at the priority list that you made, and consider each room individually. Once you’ve done this, you can start sorting your clutter or unused items into a variety of categories that determine whether or not you will donate them, throw them out, or give them to a loved one. 

Here at Hearts for the Homeless, we highly recommend that you donate any of your gently-used or unused items to one of our 400+ bins throughout Western New York. We accept clothing, linens, accessories, footwear, and a variety of other items. By donating to Hearts for the Homeless, you can help us continue to offer nourishing food, clothing, pertinent information regarding area services, companionship, and hope for the future to our community’s most vulnerable individuals. To locate a bin near you, visit our Bin Finder.