Spring Cleaning Tips for 10 Often Missed Areas

Spring is finally upon us! Most of us are feeling that spring fever, and are ready to enjoy the sunshine and open up our windows to let that fresh air in. Another aspect we absolutely love about spring is that it resembles all things new and refreshing. It makes for the perfect time to reorganize and clean-up all areas of our lives. We usually hear the typical spring cleaning tips such as deep cleaning bedding, curtains, pillows, extra vacuuming, you name it. But we want to offer some tips for areas that seem to often go untouched. Let’s get to it.

1. THE FRIDGE

Cleaning: Take absolutely everything out of the fridge. Wash and scrub any drips or food spills off of the surfaces. Wash and wipe down removable glass inserts and door bins. Wipe down any sauce bottles, etc. Throw away any unwanted and expired items.

Organizing: Keep it simple by grouping like-foods together in one area. Make it like a mini grocery store if you will. If you’d like to take an extra step and elevate your fridge, we are obsessed with these clear fridge organizers from Amazon – click here to purchase some for yourself. They have so many different options to meet your specific needs.

2. THE PANTRY

Cleaning: Same cleaning style as the fridge. This is where you’ll really focus on getting rid of old items. Dust/wipe down any shelving units.

Organizing: We love these glass canisters, also from Amazon, for storing noodles, crackers, nuts, any dry goods – click here to purchase. For storing larger items, like chips or boxed food, choose a decorative bin like these from Target – click here to purchase.

3. THE JUNK DRAWER

Cleaning: The infamous “junk drawer”. You know what to do. Take everything out, wipe down, even vacuum this drawer if necessary. Then sort through what’s needed and what you can toss.

Organizing: Do you have pet treats and a leash? Do you have pens and scissors? Group any like items together in a bamboo drawer organizer like this from Target – click here to purchase.

4. YOUR MAKEUP BAG

Cleaning: You can go as in-depth or surface level with this one as you’d like. We’d recommend throwing any older items away, cleaning makeup brushes, and wiping down your product containers.

Organizing: Try switching out a makeup bag for a makeup organizer at home like this one from Pottery Barn – click here to purchase. That way you’ll always know what you have, what you need more of, and seldom lose anything, as you probably would at the bottom of your makeup bag. Dedicate a makeup bag or tote for only travel or on-the-go days.

5. YOUR PURSE + WALLET

Cleaning: Empty your purse and gently shake out into a trash bin. Gently wipe down your purse with a damp, non-abrasive towel. Be sure to follow your purse’s manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Also, try to make it a daily habit of clearing your purse of unneeded receipts, wrappers, anything that should be tossed.

Organizing: Utilize the available organizing features in your purse and/or wallet. Group like-items together, and try to keep it as clutter free as possible. To go the extra mile, you can opt for this Vera Bradley purse organizer insert – click here to purchase.

6. YOUR JEWELRY

Cleaning: Take time to clean your jewelry with a cleaner designed for your jewels and metals. Donate or sell any items you no longer wear.

Organizing: Having an organizer is essential to keeping your jewelry safe and tidy. We adore this one from Pottery Barn – click here to purchase.

7. YOUR TEXT MESSAGES

Cleaning: It’s easy to let year-old messages sit in our text inbox. Out of sight, out of mind. It’s always good to clear out any unnecessary texts. For example – the photos sent by friends that you’ve already saved, the “hi how are you?” texts can be cleared out. Your phone storage will thank you.

Organizing: Go through your text inbox and start from the oldest text that you have. Do you need it? If not, swipe, delete and repeat.

8. YOUR CAMERA ROLL

Cleaning: Another one of those spring cleaning tips your phone storage will thank you for. Go through and clear out any photos or videos you no longer need or already have saved elsewhere.

Organizing: On most smartphones you can create folders to organize your photos. If you’d like one of just family, create one for just that and repeat for all the areas of your life and/or work.

9. YOUR EMAIL INBOX

Cleaning: Same idea as your text inbox. Go through and delete any unnecessary emails that are cluttering your inbox. Now would also be a wonderful time to unsubscribe to any email lists that you’re no longer interested in. Speaking of email lists, be sure to sign up for ours to get our weekly blogs sent right to your inbox. Click to sign up on our blog home page here.

Organizing: In most email platforms you can designate certain emails to go to a certain folder. For example, any coupons or updates from your favorite stores can be grouped together in a folder. We highly recommend doing this to keep your inbox focused and clear of clutter.

10. YOUR FILING CABINETS

Cleaning: It’s so easy for our filing folders (both physical and electronic) to get over-cluttered. For the physical filing cabinet, take out every folder you have and shred any documents no longer necessary.

Organizing: It goes without saying, it’s best to categorize each folder. Make filing your documents pretty with these folders from Target – click here to purchase.