Even though there may be snow on the ground, hope springs eternal. Soon it will be warmer weather and time for spring cleaning — time to dispose of dirt and clutter that may have accumulated during the winter. But if you can head off some of those chores at the pass by using efficient cleaning and organizing methods now, you’ll free up time to enjoy spring activities as soon as possible:

 

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• Start now! Keep the dirt out of the house throughout the year by using good walk-off mats. That way you will not have to clean up the mess that is tracked in the door and blown all over the house by your heating system. Remember that what you keep from coming into the house now won't have to be removed later.
  
  
• Use a good quality vacuum regularly, to catch dirt before it is carried around the house. Likewise, vacuum or dust mop hard floors often.
  
  
• Purchase a vacuum that has on-board tools and a wand that can be used for high or hard-to-reach places.
  
  
• Change air filters in your heating system monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. Dirty filters block airflow, cause premature wear of the fan motor and may blow dirt throughout your home.
  
  
• Keep cleaning supplies in a handy tote container so that you can carry all the cleaning supplies around at one time.
  
  
• Use a system for cleaning a room, start high and clean down, start in the furthest corner of the room and work out. Try never to back track.
  
  
• Make chemicals work for you. For example, apply chemical to the toilet bowl so that it can work on the rust and stains. While it is working, you can be cleaning — multi-tasking in the bathroom. Agitate and flush when you have finished the other parts of the room.
  
  
• Clean up spills and stains as soon as these occur. If spills and stains are allowed to remain for a period of time, it makes the stain that much harder to clean.
  
  
• Use quality microfiber cleaning cloths. These cloths have millions of cleaning fibers that help to agitate and remove dirt with less elbow grease than a traditional cloth.
  
  
• Stay focused. It is amazing how easy it is to jump from one task to another, never really completing a project. Finish one task first and then move on to the next.
  
  
• Clean items as you come and go. For instance, if you have a hand rail on your staircase, carry a microfiber cloth with you and use one hand to clean the railing as you go up, rather than going empty handed. As you walk from place to place use the cloth to wipe up small spots on the walls. You’ll be amazed at the time you save and the house will look cleaner.

By starting now to establish the right habits and intercept or remove dirt, you’ll make spring cleaning much easier. Enjoy spring as it arrives!

 

©2005 by Alan S. Bigger and Linda B. Bigger. Used by permission.

 

 

About Alan and Linda Bigger

Alan and Linda Bigger have been writing articles together for nearly 10 years. Alan, the Frugal Housekeeper, has been involved in housekeeping and facilities management for more than 20 years. An author and speaker, he has written or co-authored more than 250 articles and several books. He has received regional and national awards from housekeeping and facilities management organizations including the International Executive Housekeepers' Association William D. Joyner Achievement Award (2004) and Cleaning and Maintenance Management's Person of the Year Award (2004). Linda is a homemaker and freelance editor. Visit the Frugal Housekeeper Web site. E-mail the Biggers at: frugalperson@comcast.net