SEK

Recent News & Blog

Recent News & Blog / 18 Low or No Cost Spring Cleaning Tips for the Whole Home—Including Your Workspace

Spring is finally here! After a particularly long and brutal winter, many of us are itching to throw the windows open, let the sunshine in, and enjoy this new season. With that renewed energy often comes the motivation to tackle cleaning tasks that were put off during the colder months.

As you work through your annual spring-cleaning activities, like clearing the gutters, washing windows, and dusting from top to bottom, here are 18 practical low or no cost spring cleaning tips for your entire home—and most rely on items you likely already have on hand!

Kitchen

  • Clean your oven racks in the bathtub. One of the easiest ways to fully clean your oven racks is to allow them to soak in the bathtub to help loosen buildup. Not only will this make cleaning easier, but it will also save your back from awkwardly bending into your oven. Pro tip: line your tub with old towels to prevent scratches.
  • Refresh wood cutting boards. One of the best ways to clean your wood cutting boards involves two ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen: Lemons and coarse salt. All you have to do is sprinkle your board with sea salt and use half a lemon as your sponge to scrub. Rinse with water and let dry fully before sealing the board with a beeswax-based conditioner to bring it back to life.
  • Use steam to clean your microwave. Speaking of lemons, heat a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and sliced lemon to get rid of splatters and stains. Microwave for several minutes to allow the water to boil and keep the door shut for an additional five minutes to cool. Once you remove the bowl, you’ll easily be able to wipe out any build up.

Bathrooms

  • Put distilled white vinegar to work. If you didn’t know how versatile distilled white vinegar can be, make this the year you do. You can use it to create your own multi-purpose cleaner, to clean your showerhead, and even as a toilet bowl cleaner. This can be one of the most cost-effective and versatile tools in your cleaning repertoire—although, double check that it’s safe for the surfaces in your home before use.
  • Deep clean your trash cans. Combine warm water and bleach to create a sanitizing solution to eliminate odors and bacteria. Allow containers to fully dry before reuse.
  • Throw away expired or unused products. The bathroom can be a graveyard for near-empty bottles of shampoo, expired facial serums, and a whole host of other products you no longer use. Pro tip: As you purge what is empty, unused, or expired, use a notebook to jot down what needs to be replaced.

Entryways & mud rooms

  • Transition seasonal items together. As you put away the winter coats, snow suits, scarves, and more, you can make this space warm-weather friendly at the same time. You can swap the snow boots for rain boots and woolly mittens for gardening gloves, while also placing seasonal items like bug sprays and sunscreen in an easy to reach spot.
  • Clean your welcome mats on both sides. You likely already sweep off or vacuum the top of your welcome mats, but have you ever thought about the underneath? Clean the bottom as well to clear away more trapped dirt.
  • Address wall scuffs. Your entryway or mudroom sees constant in-and-out traffic, which often means scuffs, spills, and stains. Light marks can be removed using a water and baking soda paste, rubbing alcohol and water, or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Just remember to do a small test patch first.

Living room

  • Give your window treatments some TLC. Use this guide to learn more about how to safely clean the window treatments in your home—from wood blinds to heavy drapes.
  • Maintain your upholstery. Whether you have fabric stains that need spot treating, cushions that need vacuumed, a chair with a loose leg, or a couch that needs to be moved to clear out the mess underneath, take some time to ensure your communal furniture gets some love this spring.
  • Use what you already have for décor. Before running to the store to purchase a bouquet, consider what may be growing on your property. Clippings of flowers—or even branches—can liven up your mantle or coffee table.

Bedrooms

  • Clean and deodorize your mattress. Washing all bedding—including decorative throws—should be on everyone’s checklist, but your bed isn’t done there! After the bed is stripped, use an upholstery attachment to vacuum your mattress. Follow this up by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda over the mattress, allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming again.
  • Use dryer sheets for dusting. Dryer sheets make a great replacement for a store-bought duster. Their anti-static properties make them effective for dusty areas, like dressers and ceiling fans.
  • Simplify wardrobe decisions. As you swap your sweaters for sundresses at the start of the season, try reversing hangers in their closets and turning them back after each wear. This makes it easy to identify what you never reached for when the weather turns again, so you can donate or sell these items.

Home office

  • Apply the arm’s length rule. Remember that a cluttered desk can inhibit productivity. Make a list of what you actually use, and ensure those items or files are close by. Store less-used materials in a drawer or filing cabinet to reduce clutter.
  • Minimize cord clutter. Cluttered cords can contribute to feeling overwhelmed when you’re at your desk—not to mention they can also be a trip hazard. Instead, consider using a cable management system to organize your space.
  • Clean and sanitize electronics. Your keyboard, mouse, and even monitors are harboring bacteria. Make sure you sanitize these areas as you spring clean—and on a regular basis moving forward.

Final thoughts

Remember, you don’t need to spend big money for a clean and organized home this spring. With a thoughtful approach and a focus on using what you already have, you can create a clean, organized space while preparing for all the fun that lies ahead during the warmer months. Happy cleaning!

We’d love to talk!

SEK is proud to provide Guidance You Can Count On. Complete the form below, and the team member best suited to help you will be in touch soon.

How Did You Hear About Us?
Requested Services
Back to Top