Everyone talks about Spring cleaning, but I am a firm believer that Fall cleaning is just as important (if not more important). In the Spring, we are motivated to clean because we have been penned up all winter. Also, it just feels good to make everything fresh and clean again. We can open the windows, let the sunshine and fresh air into our homes.
1. TIME IT OUT
Timing is everything. Make sure that you have at least 3-4 hours of time and that you do not have any scheduled activity after that. It always takes longer than you think. Plan this in advance; don’t try to cram this in on a random evening.
2. MINDSET IS EVERYTHING
Set your mindset and create an environment that tricks you into looking forward to cleaning. I like to play my favorite music and put on a cute apron and cleaning gloves. Pick a time of day that you have more energy.
3. FIND YOUR MOTIVATION
This may sound silly, but I love to start with shopping for something new. If I have a new set of towels, new artwork or accessories for the room, it inspires me to clean and give it a mini-makeover. You don’t have to spend much money. Here are some things that are inexpensive but are fun to change once in a while: bath/hand towels, bath rug, soap dispensers, accessories, artwork, organizers for your cabinets or drawers, a new candle, new bath salts or lotions for a spa-like retreat. Putting your new items in place after you clean is like giving yourself a reward for doing the work!
4. CLEAN IN LUXURY
I occasionally treat myself to luxury cleaning products. I like to use cleaning products that have amazing scents. It’s another trick I play on myself to make the cleaning process feel like an aromatherapy spa session. If you have to clean, why not make it smell nice and relaxing? I also am very particular about the types of products I use because I want them to be safe and free from harmful toxins. I use cleaning gloves to protect my skin but I still understand that harmful fumes or residual products can touch our skin and enter our bloodstream. I love products from the Grove Collaborative. They only sell products that are made from natural, non toxic ingredients and are also environmentally friendly. See some products that I love below.
5. START FROM THE TOP
Literally, start from the top. I use a Swiffer duster to clean off light fixtures, the tops of mirrors, artwork, door and window frames. I work my way down, cleaning windows, windowsills, tops of cabinets, and mirrors. Dust and dirt will fall downward, so, cleaning floors should always be last.
6. ORGANIZE!
Organize and clean out the inside of all of your cabinets. I typically take everything out of the drawers and cabinets, wipe down the shelves and bottoms of drawers. This is the perfect time to buy some pretty drawer liners to put down and some cute organizers to organize all of your products when you put them back. I love the Container Store for everything you can possibly imagine to organize your life. I have also found a lot of good and inexpensive organizing pieces at stores like HomeGoods or Target. Are your bath towels stained, worn out of season? Now’s the time to go buy yourself some luxurious, beautiful new bath towels. Bubble bath season is right around the corner!
7. THE PURGE
Time to get rid of old make up and skin care products, or things that you haven’t used in years. If you haven’t use them in the past 1 to 2 years, you probably never will! I like to pull out one or two products that I forgot I had and haven’t used in a while and leave them out on the counter. I almost always have an unused bottle of body lotion or a bath product that has been hiding underneath my sink cabinet for too long. It is recommended to throw away mascara, eyeliner and foundation that is more than a year old. I take this time to clean my makeup brushes and hair brushes, too. Did you know that you can put your plastic organizers and hairbrushes in the top rack of your dishwasher to clean them quickly and easily? Now you do! Throw away expired medications, too.
8. MAKE A CHECKLIST
Remember, start at the top by cleaning the tops of the doors, door frames, any ledges on the door itself, window frames, light fixtures, fans and air vents, tops of artwork and the tops of the cabinets. It helps me to make a checklist for each room that I am cleaning. Here is an example of my checklist for cleaning my bathroom:
Empty out, clean and organize all cabinets and drawers.
Clean windows inside and out, including window sills.
Clean mirrors and shower glass.
Clean out the bathtub and any surrounding tile.
Clean out the shower, making sure to clean all of the tile from top to bottom.
Wipe down the fronts of all cabinets.
Clean out sinks and countertops.
Clean the toilet, making sure to clean the entire thing (all porcelain surfaces, nooks and crannies).
Wipe down and polish all plumbing fixtures, door handles and cabinet hardware.
Vacuum and wash the floor.
* Tip for keeping your shower glass free of hard water spots and calcium deposits is to treat it with Rain X like you use on your car windshield. Squeegee after every shower and then wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth. Wipe your shower head and faucets dry as well to prevent water spots. If you have a lot of iron in your water like we do (we have well water), use Iron Out spray a couple of times per year to get rid of any rusty orange residue. WARNING: Iron Out is a toxic product; I recommend using gloves and a ventilation mask.
I hope this helps your fall cleaning go smoothly and inspires you to make it a more enjoyable and rewarding process. Last step…grab some amazingly fragrant bath salts and soaps, pour yourself a glass of wine, light a candle, put on some relaxing music and give yourself a rewarding soak in the bathtub! You deserve it!
Happy Fall, Y’all!
Amy
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