When the first sign of spring makes its appearance, one of the first things that people do is open their windows. The fresh air is rejuvenating, and it motivates people to clean out their homes and prepare for a beautiful spring and busy summer.
What many people don’t realize is just how physically demanding and mentally fatiguing it can be to clean out the home. If you don’t tackle the project with a clear plan of action, you may end up getting discouraged. To avoid this from happening, we have some helpful, practical tips for you.
Make a Checklist
Start with a checklist. This will help you stay organized and prioritize the most important jobs. Write down the things that you want to get done, such as washing windows or cleaning out a closet.
Here are some things to add to your list:
- Clean out the medicine cabinet. Throw away expired prescriptions, or those you don’t need anymore.
- Clean out the refrigerator and pantry. Get rid of expired food.
- Replace the batteries in the carbon monoxide and fire detectors.
- Remove clutter from walkways. Tuck cords behind furniture.
- Replace light bulbs and ensure that all walkways are well lit.
- Install grab bars in the bathroom.
- Discard of old rugs that are tripping hazards. Purchase new ones and install anti-skid mats underneath.
Enlist Some Help
If you feel that you could use a hand on some projects, enlist help early on. If you don’t have family or friends that can help, check with your church or a local nonprofit. You can also enlist help from a professional caregiver.
Family Private Care offers the following homemaking services:
- Sweeping, vacuuming or mopping floors
- Cleaning out cabinets, refrigerators, freezers and stoves
- Dusting furniture and blinds
- Cleaning windows
- Cleaning mirrors, sinks, tubs and showers
- Washing and putting away dishes
- Washing, drying, ironing and putting away laundry
Declutter, Then Clean
It’s difficult to clean around a bunch of clutter, so go through your belongings before you tackle the cleaning. You may want to have a family member help you go through closets, drawers, cabinets, etc., and then hire a professional caregiver to clean the windows, blinds, etc. This way, you can have a hand in the spring cleaning, but you don’t have to exert all your energy.
A great tip is to have three bags or bins marked with the following: pack, donate and trash. As you go through your things, place stuff into the bins to keep them organized.
We hope these tips have helped you better prepare for spring cleaning! If you need help for yourself or a loved one, contact Family Private Care to learn more!