Spring cleaning is a perfect way to reset and get organized after a long winter of being inside. But all of the supplies you need can add up. It almost doesn’t seem fair—cleaning is hard work, so you shouldn’t have to make all that effort and pay a lot for supplies! But there are some ways to make spring cleaning easier and more affordable.
- Play fun music
Those songs that you love to dance to? They’re usually fab cleaning anthems, too. Playing some energetic music can not only make cleaning more fun, it can make you more productive—science even says so! A series of experiments showed that during repetitive tasks, people are more efficient when they listen to fast-paced music.
When you’re choosing your cleaning playlist, songs that have a fast tempo are likely to make you move faster and clean faster. Another bonus is that it raises your heart rate—so it’s good exercise and even helps you burn more calories as you clean.
- Make your own cleaning supplies
Cleaning products can be expensive. Surface cleaner, toilet cleaner, shower cleaner, carpet cleaner, glass cleaner… there are so many cleaners! You may not need all of them, but buying even a few can add up to a chunk of change. But there’s an alternative—did you know you can actually make your own cleaning products?
Homemade cleaning products work just as well as the ones you buy, and you can make them out of inexpensive things you probably already have in your house, like vinegar and baking soda. Another advantage is that when you make your own cleaning supplies, you know exactly what’s in them, and you can avoid harsh chemicals and any substances you or your family might be allergic to. Here’s a guide to help you get started making your own cleaning products.
- Break it into manageable chunks
Taking on big cleaning projects can be overwhelming. It’s tiring and even frustrating, which is not a good way to start spring. But there’s a way to make it easier to handle: break up cleaning jobs into small, manageable pieces.
For example, maybe focus on one bathroom at a time. Or, just clean the countertops in the kitchen. Tackle one thing at a time, and then take a break and do something you enjoy before you start on the next task.
- Clean from top to bottom
Do you ever think about gravity when you clean? If not, you should! Think about it: if you’re cleaning your kitchen shelves, some of the dust or debris will fall onto the countertops. And when you wipe off the countertops, the counter crumbs (plus the dust and debris from the shelves) will end up on the floor. Then you can vacuum the floor and get everything.
If you did it in reverse, starting with the floor, you’d end up having to clean each level over again. So cleaning from top to bottom is the way to go—it saves you time because you don’t have to repeat steps.
- Tidy up your finances
While you’re getting organized and tidying things up, it’s also a perfect time to do a little spring cleaning for your finances. It’s a great time to review your spending habits, create a budget for better money management, and make a plan to pay off your debt.
