Tips:
- Don’t do all of the work yourself. Round up your roommates and friends and turn on some music to make the cleaning fun
- Sell old textbooks you might find once you rearrange the room to get a little cash out of your work
It’s April, and that means it’s time for some spring cleaning. It might not sound like a fun way to spend your weekend, but think about how much better your room — and your roommate — will feel when it’s done.
Plus, cleaning guru Lisa Milton said you might as well clean now before you start packing up to go home in May.
“No one wants to sift through a bunch of garbage or heaps of clothes,” she said. “Get some boxes, get your cleaning gloves on and just do it.”
So if you’re looking to spruce things up before summer, here’s a step-by-step guide to make your cleaning efforts efficient and effective.
1. Work down
Always start at the top of your house and work down, Milton said. You don’t have to do the whole house in one go — pace yourself.
“Start with the tidying, then go on to dust, clean and vacuum, in that order,” Milton said.
Be sure to not forget the curtains — if you don’t clean them thoroughly at least once a year, they will rot, Milton said. If possible, check the labels to see if they’re washable. Just remember to take out the hooks first.
2. Let it go
Get your empty boxes and trash bags ready, because it’s time to clear out your junk.
“If you haven’t touched it or used it in the past year, you don’t need it,” Milton said.
Organize boxes by category — clothing, Tupperware, books, etc. — and decide what can be donated, thrown away or sold in a yard sale.
“Be courteous, though,” Milton said. “If it’s junk, just throw it away. Goodwill probably doesn’t want your stained wash rags or your broken forks.”
3. Deep clean
Vacuuming regularly is important, but during spring cleaning, give your carpets a deep clean.
“For people who live in houses especially, they should do this,” Milton said. “Pet hair, spills, the whole deal — it needs cleaned up. Plus, your landlord probably doesn’t want to come in and see big stains or dirt marks on the carpet when it’s time to hand over the keys.”
If you aren’t up to doing it yourself, hire a carpet cleaner or rent a carpet-cleaning machine to get the job done.
4. Drawers
You know those little compartments in desks that you throw things in to “clean up,” every so often? If you’re familiar with that practice, Milton said it’s time revisit these small spaces, especially ones that hold clothes.
“The inside of your drawers and wardrobe need to be wiped down from the insides,” she said. “And be on the lookout for moths. You’ll want to get rid of those as soon as you can so they don’t eat up your clothes.”
5. Brighten up
Springtime means more sun and more light. Turn off your lights and remove the shades to take out light bulbs. Milton said the best way to cut down on dust and dim bulbs is to wash the removable parts with regular dish soap and wipe the fixed parts with a damp cloth.
“Before you throw away old light bulbs, clean them first and see if they improve,” she said. “If not, throw them away and buy new ones.”
6. Switch it around
According to mattresscare.com, you should be flipping your mattress every three months, switching the ends for head and feet as well.
“Flipping the mattress helps it last longer and keep its shape,” Milton said. “If it seems dirty, use your vacuum cleaner to spruce it up.”
Also take the time to wash your comforters, quilts and pillows, she said. Be sure to check the washing instructions, though, as some materials have special requirements.
7. Rearrange
The semester might be coming to a close, but it doesn’t mean you can’t change things around a little bit.
“Focus on maximizing the space in the room,” Milton said. “It’s a great idea because rearranging the room makes cleaning things so much easier.”
While moving furniture around, Milton said moving smaller items on desks and the wall can also be aesthetically refreshing.
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