Living - Health. Spirit. Home.

Spring-Clean Your Apartment

Email this article to a friend Print this Article

  cancel this  

There’s something about springtime air and all that sunshine that can make your apartment feel grungy, dusty, and in need of a major deep clean! But who wants to waste time scrubbing and scouring on a beautiful day, especially one that doesn’t require you to be in the office? Never fear, here’s five simple things you can do in two hours on a Saturday morning to make your home life sparkle and shine like the brightest spring day.

Deep-clean the kitchen. Sweep the floors and then pull out the mop and make them shine. Pick up the toaster and canisters on the countertops and banish crumbs with a damp cloth. Wipe down the outside of the fridge and the stovetop. Then tackle the cupboards and fridge: Toss expired food and if there are canned or boxed items you no longer need, make a pile to donate to the food bank.
Estimated time: 30 minutes

Spiff up the windows and woodwork. Mix 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup freshwater in a spray bottle. Use this eco-friendly concoction to make your windows sparkle. This is also a quick and easy way to make the windowsills, baseboards, and mantel shine. This is truly an all-purpose cleaner, so if you’re on a roll, use it on your floors and appliances.
Estimated time: 25 minutes

De-grime the bathroom. Don some rubber gloves and crank the music high to help you cope with yucky bathroom cleaning. Scrub everything down, tossing empty shampoo bottles and replacing the tiny nub of soap with something new and fragrant. If you’re feeling ambitious, this is a great time to replace the slightly slimy shower-curtain liner with a new one.
Estimated time: 20 minutes

Clean the closet. Springtime hits and you’re jonesing for new clothes. Before you go on a serious buying spree, reorganize your closet. Move heavy sweaters and wintry stuff to storage and replace with your light-colored springtime favorites. Make a pile for things that need to be dry-cleaned, another for repairs, and a third for Goodwill.
Estimated time: 35 minutes

Take out the trash. Empty the trash, take out the recycling, and put the bags for the tailor, Goodwill, and the dry cleaners in the trunk of your car or by the back door.
Estimated time: 5 minutes

Then sit down, light a candle, and relax. Your spring-cleaning is done!

Written by: Anne Zimmerman

Anne Zimmerman received her MA in Woman's Studies from San Diego State University. She works for a small, family run winery in McMinnville, Oregon and is writing a book about the food writer M.F.K. Fisher.