Spring is nearly upon us, even if it doesn’t feel like it with Chicago’s shifty weather. Like many, spring is the time do a deep cleaning. Realizing that I am slowly becoming my mother has been less of a blow when I recognized how good at cleaning I am. A clean room is important year round, as it is proven to help alleviate stress, boost self-confidence and increase productivity, but I know some of you never clean your room. I asked my friend the last time she cleaned her sheets and instead of giving a real answer she said: “let’s just say it’s been over two months…” (I’m gagging thinking about this.)
I am typically the one between my roommates who gets frustrated with the dirtiness and finally caves and then cleans the whole apartment. Some people may be ok with walking on crumbs and staring at the recycling pile for three weeks, but I am not. It’s annoying having to constantly ask my roommates to do their share, but at some point, you just have to do it for yourself.
SO, I have graciously broken down the key places to clean for your spring cleaning excursion.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
The Bedroom
-
Wash your sheets! Sheets should be washed every other week. Don’t go longer than 4 weeks or you’re literally just laying in dead skin and other filth.
-
Purge your closet! You don’t wear half the stuff anyway, just let it go.
-
Do your laundry.
-
Pro Tip: We really don’t need to wash our clothes as much as you think, especially jeans. Jeans should be washed after a few wears (yes, sometimes I wear the same jeans three days in a row, cry about it) and should be washed inside out to help retain color.
-
Vacuum
-
Declutter your desk, throw away old assignments you don’t need, get your books in order, and uh alphabetize your pens?
-
Dust. I couldn’t tell you where dust constantly comes from, but I know that there’s always dust somewhere. If you don’t have a fancy duster, you can just use a slightly damp paper towel.
-
Clean your carpet! This is an easy all natural way to clean your carpet. My apartment made the unfortunate choice of putting in white shaggy carpet so I use this at least once every 3 or 4 months.
And buy this book! You don’t even have to make your bed every day! It’s been said that it’s good to let your sheets air out during the day!
The Bathroom
-
Clean your toilet. Make sure you lift up the lid and clean under there too.
-
Clean your sink
-
Pro Tip: move everything. Don’t just clean around the objects/products sitting on your counter.
-
Wipe down your shower/bath. Realistically, the shower should be cleaned weekly, to prevent mold and other moist growths.
-
Wipe down your shower curtain. Get some soapy water and just scrub any part that’s collecting mildew or hair. Make sure to leave it open when you’re done so it can air out.
-
Wash your towels (PLEASE)
-
Bonus: You can wipe down walls with a damp rag, sometimes random stuff has dripped down it? No clue how it got there, but yeah…clean that.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
The Kitchen
-
Wipe down your tables and countertops
-
Clean the Toaster (curse that crumb maker)
-
Throw out old food from the fridge and then clean the fridge itself
-
Take out the trash/recycling
-
Do your dishes
-
Clean the sink
-
Dust, again you know there’s dust somewhere.
-
Bonus: Wipe down the inside of the microwave, man it gets gross in there.
The Common Space
-
Vacuum, including behind and under the couch
-
Fluff the pillows
-
Fold the blankets
-
Dust the TV stand
Don’t forget your phone! My phone gets a good wipe down every few days as well, that boy gets gross I don’t need to explain that.
Not to be a mom but, go clean your room!