Do people still spring clean? It’s an old tradition that might seem to have little place in the modern world, but it’s actually a good way to make sure you do a thorough “audit” of your home at least once a year. Spring cleaning reflects the fact that you can finally air out your home after the cold of winter. As the days lengthen, too, you have more energy to do it right.
Not doing a regular deep clean allows your home or business to accumulate clutter that can eventually become overwhelming and even potentially impact your health. Anthony’s Junk Hauling can help you with your spring cleaning by getting rid of all of your junk, debris, and broken stuff without any hassle.
Why Spring Cleaning Matters
A cluttered space makes for a cluttered mind. Cleaning out your space can thus improve your mood, productivity, and energy levels. Deep cleaning also makes your home less welcoming to pests of all kinds, reduces dust and allergens. Doing one massive clean in the spring helps “reset” your space so routine cleaning becomes easier (and then actually happens). Clutter tends to trigger coping and avoidance strategies. You avoid the clutter and then start avoiding other stuff too. Research has indicated that living with clutter can impact your working memory and executive function (ability to switch between tasks) and lead to low-grade stress that can make you physically ill!
Removing your old and broken stuff improves your physical and mental health and helps you make the best use of your space.
Identifying Your Spring Cleaning Needs
Spring cleaning can seem overwhelming, especially if you have let the clutter get to the point where the clutter is making you not want to fix the clutter.
Identifying whet needs to be done first can be a challenge, but prioritizing things can help you get at least some of them done. One thing to consider is the rooms where you spend the most of your time.
You could also do a clutter audit. Which room of your house is the worst? Do you just throw everything into the basement until it becomes a hoarder’s paradise? If that’s the case, then reclaiming your basement might be the best way to start.
Here’s our list of places that most often need to be tackled first.
- The garage. If you can’t fit your car in your garage, then it might be time to do something about it.
- Your office. Especially if you work from home.
- The basement or other storage area.
- Your bedroom. Decluttering the bedroom provides a restful place to be and can even improve sleep!
- Your kitchen, to create a space where you’re happy to cook
Knowing your personality and needs will help you know where to start, and starting with one room makes the entire task seem easier.
How to Tackle Spring Cleaning: Room-by-Room Guide
Again, start with the room you have identified as a priority.
- Living Room:
- Dust and wipe down all surfaces including shelves, tables, and entertainment centers.
- Vacuum upholstery and under furniture cushions.
- Wash or vacuum curtains and blinds.
- Clean electronics and screens.
- Declutter and organize shelves and storage areas.
- Kitchen:
- Clean inside and outside of appliances, including the refrigerator, oven, and microwave.
- Wipe down countertops, cabinets, and backsplashes.
- Scrub sinks and faucets.
- Clean the inside of cabinets and pantry shelves.
- Sweep and mop floors.
- Bedroom:
- Launder bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and comforters.
- Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including nightstands and dressers.
- Vacuum floors, including under the bed.
- Organize closets and donate or store items you no longer need.
- Flip or rotate mattresses if needed.
- Bathroom:
- Scrub and disinfect the bathtub, shower, toilet, and sink.
- Clean mirrors and fixtures.
- Wash bath mats and shower curtains.
- Organize cabinets and drawers, disposing of expired products.
- Sweep and mop floors.
- Home Office:
- Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including desks, shelves, and electronics.
- Organize paperwork and files, shredding or recycling unnecessary documents.
- Clean computer screens and keyboards.
- Vacuum floors or carpets.
- Declutter and organize office supplies and storage areas.
- Laundry Room:
- Clean inside and outside of the washing machine and dryer.
- Wipe down countertops and shelves.
- Organize cleaning supplies and dispose of expired or unnecessary products.
- Sweep or vacuum floors.
- Empty and clean lint traps in the dryer.
- Entryway/Hallway:
- Clean floors, including sweeping or vacuuming and mopping.
- Dust and wipe down surfaces such as tables, consoles, and coat racks.
- Organize shoes, coats, and other items stored in the entryway.
- Consider decluttering and donating items you no longer need.
- Wipe down door frames and light switches.
Remember to gather your cleaning supplies before you start, and tackle one room at a time to make the process more manageable.
Recycling and Donating: Making a Positive Impact
If it’s still good, donate. If it isn’t, recycle. Only put in the trash things that can’t be recycled, such as that expired food. Recycle papers unless they are sensitive, in which case they should be shredded. Take extra care with textiles. 85% of textiles go into landfill because people can’t be bothered to recycle them, often because textile recycling locations are inconvenient. Charity stores will often take items and another option is a freecycling or buy nothing service, where you can advertise your unwanted items to anyone who cares to take them away.
A reputable junk hauling service such as Anthony’s Junk Hauling will make sure that what of your junk can be recycled will be, without you having to make any special trips. They can also help you sort out items that can be donated or given away.
Choosing the Right Junk Hauling Service in Bloomington
Junk hauling services are plentiful. You need to choose the right one. First of all, consider cost and your budget. It’s worth paying a little bit extra for a good company, but you don’t need to break the bank. Check online reviews to make sure they are reliable, always showing up when they claim they will short of occasional accidents. Finally, make sure they make the effort to recycle as much of your junk as possible.
Anthony’s Junk Hauling cares about you and the environment. We show up on time and we help you sort your junk and donate or give away items that are still of use. We offer the best customer service in Bloomington!
Preparing for Your Junk Hauling Appointment
When you call junk haulers, it helps if you’re prepared! Clearly label items you want to have taken away to make sure we take all (and only) items you need. Make sure we have clear access to the items, especially if we’re removing large pieces of furniture. We don’t necessarily need you to bring everything outside (especially if you have furniture that takes three people to carry), but we do need to be able to remove it easily. Take down pictures and breakables on any route we’ll be carrying stuff.
We offer convenient scheduling options, including online, and will not pull the “we’ll be there some time on Tuesday” trick that traps you in your home.
Enjoying a Cleaner, Clutter-Free Spring
Spring cleaning is a great way to declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer need. If you have a lot of stuff to remove, Anthony’s Junk Hauling can help. We will remove your unwanted items and recycle or donate as many as possible.
Take the first step towards a cleaner space by scheduling your junk hauling appointment today!
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