Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning your home. Spring cleaning is important for everyone, particularly if you’re an allergy sufferer. And it’s even more important in the times of COVID-19. You owe it to yourself and your family to enjoy a clean that’s more than dirt deep.
Enjoying a healthy home isn’t as hard you may think. Just follow these 10 spring cleaning tips and tricks for allergy sufferers in 2021.
- Make a Schedule
Scope out your home: What areas need the most work? Where do you skip during routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Regardless of where you start, having a plan will keep you focused on the task at hand. Just go room by room.
- De-clutter
A disorganized home can add to your stress level. It signals to your brain that work isn’t done.
The scientific implications of inhaling dust, combined with the stress of coming back to a cluttered workspace, can take a toll. Since we’re all spending more time at home and in our home offices specifically, keeping a neat workspace is more important than ever.
Set aside some time to:
- Dust and organize your office
- Look through that dreaded junk drawer (and desk drawers!)
- Organize your closets
You may be surprised how fresh you feel after you eliminate unnecessary stress from your life.
- Use a HEPA Vacuum
You can remove more than just dust build-up when you vacuum. A high-quality HEPA vacuum is one of the best spring-cleaning supplies to arm yourself with. They catch tiny airborne particles you can’t see but can stir up allergy symptoms. They trap things like pet dander, allergens, and other household particles.
If you don’t have a HEPA vacuum, look for a vacuum with attachments like dusting brushes, crevice tools, and hoses that can be used to clean more than just your floor. These tools make it simple to clean ceiling fans, cobwebs in corners, pillows, and tight spaces like behind furniture. Be sure to move your furniture too (or at least vacuum under it). Arm yourself with a good HEPA vacuum, and you’ll enjoy a healthy, clean home all of the spring season.
- Think Green When You Spring Clean
You want to start spring off on a clean note, so don’t expose yourself to chemicals and toxins. A steam cleaner is one of the best green products for spring cleaning. It can be used to clean your microwave, tile, hard floors, kitchen appliances, bathrooms and even outdoor areas.
Since steam cleaners only use hot water vapor, they’re a 100% natural and chemical-free cleaning solution.
If you don’t have a steam cleaner, one of the best natural combinations for cleaning is white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and water. These ingredients are affordable, non-toxic, and have worked for ages when it comes to cleaning.
- Always Work from Top to Bottom
When you think about how to spring clean your home, it’s important to start from the ceiling down. This will force debris downward and keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first.
Then dust your furniture and other items before vacuuming all the dust and debris off your floors. It will save you time.
- Walls and Windows Need Love too
People almost always clean their floors, but they typically forget about walls and windows. Not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Just use a damp towel to wipe down walls and blinds (starting from the top). Remove and wipe down the window screens outside.
When it comes to the actual window, we don’t suggest using chemical cleaners. A steam cleaner with a squeegee is a great way to clean windows.
- Don’t Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom
Don’t fear cleaning your bathroom! Here are a few common trouble areas people forget about:
Kitchens
- Wipe down your cabinets.
- Go through your pantry and refrigerator. Wipe down the shelves and throw away any old items.
- If you have stainless steel appliances, be sure to use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner to avoid scratching or other issues.
Bathrooms
- Change your shower curtain.
- Go through your cosmetics drawer or medicine cabinet and throw away any expired items.
You should also consider installing or upgrading to a new bathroom fan. Replacing an existing fan or adding a new one can help to ensure your bathroom remains in top-notch condition. They are great for ventilating moisture during showers and removing odors/vapors.
- Don’t Forget About Your Air
Replacing furnace and HVAC filters is one of the most important and overlooked parts of spring cleaning. In fact, replacing a standard filter with a more robust one with a high MERV rating will help keep you healthier as you enter spring.
It will catch smaller, irritating particles. Air conditioner ducts build up dust, and upgraded filters catch unwanted particles so they don’t enter your space. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you’re breathing clean, healthy air.
The best way to ensure healthy spring air void of allergens, indoor chemicals, or odors is with an air purifier. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies or wakes up stuffy during allergy season, adding an air purifier to his/her bedroom will help.
- Have Severe Allergies? Protect Yourself.
Cleaning will more than likely unsettle all the winter dust on furniture and fixtures. If you suffer from allergies or are using heavy-duty cleaners, be sure to read the labels. For safe spring cleaning, wear rubber gloves, masks, scarves, and even hairnets. Protective clothing will help guard against skin irritations and allergic reactions.
- Let Spring Cleaning Set a New Tone
If your space feels dark and heavy, you can make small changes to help make it light and fresh for spring. Adding new colorful pillows or art are great ways to change up your space. Replacing items like bedding, towels, table linens, and even window treatments are other ways to transform your rooms for spring and warm weather ahead.
*Source Sylvane
https://www.sylvane.com/blog/spring-cleaning-tips-and-checklist/
