1. Replace Toothbrushes
Many of us know that about every three months, we should toss our old toothbrushes and buy new ones. But this isn’t only because bristles become worn down and lose their effectiveness. Toothbrushes harbor a lot of germs due to their surrounding environment. To make matters worse, almost everyone gets sick around this time of year. Luckily, there are a few quick steps you can take to remedy this.
Take your current toothbrushes and set them aside. Sanitize your sink and toothbrush holder thoroughly—an equal mixture of water and vinegar works wonders. Then, if it’s been a few months, or if someone in your household is sick, purchase replacements. After every use, rinse and dry your toothbrush. Remember, never share them with other people.
2. Wipe Down Furniture
What products you use depend on the materials that make up your furniture. Detergent diluted with water can effectively clean wood. Upholstery requires various cleaning solutions based on a code you can find underneath the cushions. Swipe a mixture of water and vinegar across leather items.
Each fabric is different—consider that beforehand, so you don’t cause any damage.
3. Dust Each Nook and Cranny
How often do you sweep off your baseboards? or the tops of your window panes? These areas are a struggle to reach, which is why they don’t get any love. Take an afternoon this winter to tackle these pre-allergy season. All you need is a damp rag and a stepladder. Wipe down each smoke detector, light fixture and shelf.
Pro-tip: Once you clean your ceiling fans, reverse them to spin clockwise. Doing so will push warm air down, so it doesn’t escape through your roof.
4. Get Rid of Old Items
Go through your dressers and closets. You’ll likely find a lot of clothes, books and decorative items you barely use. Now is the perfect time to purge your house of these goods and donate them to your local thrift store. In this case, a good rule of thumb is to think back about a year. What shirts, pants or dresses haven’t seen the light of day since then?
Place each unwanted item in a labeled garbage bag or box. Some services will come to pick these up. A deep declutter is the best way to enter a new season.
5. Seal Doors and Windows
Save energy with insulated doors and windows. Take a paper towel, along with a window and wood cleaner. Clean each surface thoroughly. Once finished, feel around for cracks and gaps. You can then caulk or weatherstrip the edges of your windows. Insert door stoppers underneath each door. These techniques will keep you toasty, all while saving you cash.
Start Your Spring Off Right
These tips will keep you organized and get a head-start on prime-cleaning season. So while others might procrastinate spring cleaning, you’ll be almost done by the time the season starts.
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