Time to start those spring cleaning projects

Now that we’ve got a little more sunshine in our days most of us have a little more energy, too, so the urge to start your spring cleaning may be upon you.

So where do you start?

Professionals suggest the first thing to do is to create a schedule for spring cleaning that can be done over a period of time rather than trying to do it all in a single weekend. Separating your cleaning into different rooms lets you focus on one area at a time to keep on task.

First things first, de-clutter.

Studies have shown a disorganized home adds to your stress level, so de-cluttering makes you feel better about things right away.

Take the time to organize your closets, dust and organize your home office, even rummaging through that dreaded junk drawer and tossing things will eliminate a little of that clutter caused stress and give you the jump start you need to tackle the bigger things.

There is a right way and a wrong way to clean, too.

Always start at the top and work your way down. Get those cobwebs out of the corners of the ceiling and clean up the ceiling fans and ceiling lights. This will force the dust downward so you don’t have to re-dust.

If you or your family suffers from allergies, a high-quality HEPA vacuum is your best friend. It not only pulls up all the dirt and dust you can see, it traps pet dander, allergens and all the household particles in your home.

Look for a vacuum that has attachments, too. The tools make it simple to clean ceiling fans, cobwebs in corners and tight spaces behind furniture. And speaking of furniture, don’t forget to move it and clean under it as well.

If you do suffer from allergies, all natural cleaning products are probably the best for you. A steam cleaner uses only hot water vapor, so they are 100 percent natural and chemical free, but keep in mind, not everything can be steam cleaned.

One of the best natural cleaning combinations is white, distilled vinegar, baking soda and water. They’re not only non-toxic, but affordable, too.

Don’t neglect your walls and windows.

We all clean our floors and counters, but often we forget that our walls need attention as well as our windows.

Not all dust settles on the coffee table. Some of it clings to the walls, your blinds and your curtains. Its a good idea to use a damp cloth and wipe down walls and run the curtains through the wash if possible.

There’s no need to use chemicals on your windows, either. Distilled white vinegar or a steam cleaner with hot water are great alternatives.

Just the thought of having to clean the kitchen and the bathroom often strikes fear in the heart of even the most avid spring cleaner, but there’s really no reason to worry if you have a plan for tackling these two areas.

Wipe down your kitchen cabinets with a degreaser to eliminate the dullness. There’s no need to purchase an expensive degreaser, just fill a spray bottle with distilled vinegar, a drop of dish soap and some baking soda.

Spray the combination on, use a sponge to work it deep into the surface and then wipe down with a clean cloth.

Go through your pantry and your refigerator and discard anything that has expired. You can use the same distilled white vinegar, soap and baking soda combination to wipe down the inside of your refrigerator, too.

A steam cleaner is a must for the bathroom. Using a steamer on your toilet is the best way to get all the hidden gunk out from beneath the fixtures and adds a layer of sterilization because of the hot steam.

Now would be a good time to change your shower curtain, too. Most of the time, we don’t notice the hard water build-up on our shower curtains or the build-up of soap and grime at the bottom.

Don’t forget your make-up drawer and the medicine cabinet, too. Discard any old make-up and expired medicines you may find.

Replace your furnace filter this spring, too. You’ve been running your heater all winter and spring is the perfect time to replace that filter with a new, clean one. Keep in mind, if you have central air conditioning, the filter should be replaced in the fall, too, before you start using your heater again.

Dust and allergens are caught in the filter and you may be surprised at how dirty they are after just a few months of use. The filter keeps the irritating particles from entering your space and even cuts down on dusting if changed regularly.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. If you divide things up over several days or even a few weekends, you won’t feel overworked or stressed about getting it all done at once. Toss some music on to boost your energy and you’ll find yourself dancing your way through your spring cleaning.