If you haven’t started your spring cleaning routine yet, this might be the year to rethink things. Even if you’ve been cleaning your home following the same steps for years, there’s always room to improve this process to make year-round maintenance easier. And if you haven’t started spring cleaning yet, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve never been a fan of season-specific deep cleaning, so I thought I’d reach out to some cleaning experts to shed some light on what I could be doing wrong. Turns out there are a handful of things they keep asking their clients (and anyone who will listen) to do. stop doing.
Put down the broom and check out the four things these cleaning experts want you to stop doing when spring cleaning.
Neglecting ventilation and air quality.
In the rush to dust and make your home sparkle for spring, it’s easy to forget about the quality of the air you breathe. Sharon Garcia, Fabuloso cleaning expert and owner of Next Level Cleaning Co., says it’s imperative to maintain proper ventilation while also investing in air purification products.
“When using harsh cleaners, welcome the spring air by opening windows and doors for fresh circulation, always ensuring good ventilation during cleaning sessions,” she says. “Consider air purification plants, air purifiers and HEPA filters for long-term air quality improvements, especially if you struggle with allergies during this season.”
It may be tempting to start cleaning with a “let’s get it over with” or “I can do it all now” mentality, but Sara San Angelo, cleaning expert and founder of Confessions of a Cleaner, always advises against this.
“Spring cleaning is a very complex process and is not something that is entered into spontaneously or lazily. I’ve had clients who started spring cleaning on a whim and made a bigger mess by cleaning out closets, closets, and moving all the furniture in the house at the same time,” she says. “You need a plan, including a checklist and a calendar, specifically by room. Make sure you have no distractions and make a good playlist of your favorite songs.”
Skipping routine maintenance tasks.
During spring cleaning, you can focus on cleaning things that you don’t normally clean in other seasons, like the inside of the oven or the walls and ceilings. However, neglecting routine maintenance tasks, especially after spring, is a big no-no for Garcia.
“Spring cleaning shouldn’t be the only time you deep clean your home,” she says. “Incorporate tasks like dusting, vacuuming and surface wiping into your regular cleaning routine. This can prevent dirt and grime from building up, making your annual spring cleaning less of a chore!”
Overlook the power of decluttering.
While decluttering may be the main goal of spring cleaning, Garcia says it’s also the perfect opportunity to declutter your space.
“Before you get down to cleaning, take some time to clean each room. Donate, sell or throw away items you no longer need,” she says. “Find women’s or animal shelters that will take old blankets, towels, newspapers or magazines. Organizing what’s left not only simplifies cleaning but also creates a more peaceful living environment.”