Can you believe it’s already spring? We love spotting the daffodils popping up in the planters throughout the city! It feels like we were just writing about Fall Rotation and preparing for the Holiday Season. Time flies when you’re running a business, doing your taxes, taking care of your loved ones, binging your favorite TV series, oh and I guess having fun. Well, it’s time to reset for the season with one of the most cliché phrases: “Spring Cleaning!”
As a busy parent, it's understandable that you might not have the time to devote to cleaning your home every day. When spring rolls around, it's important to take a few extra steps to deep clean your home and refresh your living space. Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to declutter, organize, and freshen up your home after a long winter. However, it's important to remember that there are some forgotten places that need cleaning too. In this article, we'll discuss some of these areas and give you tips on how to tackle them.
1. For New Yorker’s with smaller to medium size apartments, we can’t praise the Dyson cordless vacuum enough. We love that it takes up very little space and has attachments for different areas of the home. It’s also easy to empty out and you do not need to purchase replacement bags that take up space.
2. We use a Nano towel for cleaning surfaces and capturing dirt and smudges. It just needs to be damp with warm water and a little dish soap. Using a damp towel captures more dust particles than a Swiffer or feather duster. When the towel has gotten a bit too dusty, you just go back to the sink, wash it off, and wring it out.
3. Baseboards and trim are often neglected during regular cleaning sessions, but they can accumulate a lot of dust and grime over time. To clean them, start by vacuuming up any loose debris, and then use a damp cloth to wipe them down.
4. Ceiling fans and light fixtures are often overlooked because they are out of reach and not in direct sight. To clean them, use a step ladder and a damp cloth, a vacuum with a hose attachment, or a long-handled duster. Be sure to turn off the power to the light fixture before cleaning it. Be careful unscrewing lighting fixtures especially if they are glass. You’ll be surprised how much brighter the room is after you wash the glass. If you can have a friend spotter for these two places that would be better for safety.
5. Window sills, tracks, and blinds are another forgotten area of our apartments. This can be a tedious job, but you’ll notice how much NYC grime has blown through your windows over time. To clean them, start by vacuuming up any loose debris, and then use a small brush or a toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn dirt or debris. Finish by wiping them down with a damp cloth. For interior windows, you can do the old newspaper trick, but we usually use a Norwex glass buffing cloth. We don’t suggest cleaning exterior windows by yourself, check in with your building to see if they have a specific company they would suggest.
6. Refrigerator coils and vents can accumulate a lot of dust and debris over time, which can make your fridge less efficient and increase your energy bill. To clean them, first, unplug the fridge and then use a vacuum with a brush attachment to gently remove any dust or debris. You can also use a coil brush to get into tight spaces. While you are giving some attention to your refrigerator, now would be a great time to open it and throw out any expired, moldy contents that you are never going to eat. If it’s still edible, sometimes we’ll place it in a bag and hand it to a homeless person on the street.
7. Saging or Smudging is something we like to do every Sunday to clear out the energy from the previous week, so it’s never a bad idea to do it while spring cleaning. Traditionally performed by many Native American tribes, the process was spiritual and improved well-being in both the mind and the body. Burning sage can cleanse a space to help you feel your best. This can be a meditative moment, so give yourself enough time and don’t rush through it. Open a window for proper ventilation and turn on the newly cleaned ceiling fan. Walk clockwise through your rooms letting the smoke get into all high and low corners. Manifest positive, constructive thoughts and tell negative energy “to go elsewhere.”
Spring cleaning can be a daunting task, but by taking the time to clean forgotten areas, you can refresh your home and create a healthier living space for your family. Remember to take it one room at a time and break down the tasks into manageable steps. Of course, spring cleaning is always easier if you have less “stuff” to dust around! At SimplifyNYC, we do not start cleaning for clients until we have completed the first step of decluttering. Take that into consideration as you are dusting around tchotchkes. Remember to enjoy the process as you are, in fact, clearing out old to make space and time for your life!
Hello. We are Caleb and Cole. We each share a passion for organization and cleansing the home. We think of SimplifyNYC as not just a service, but a philosophy about life that we pass on to every client with whom we work. Our backgrounds are both in the performing arts. Through intense study of the arts, we gained greater perspective on how to tell a clear narrative, how best to determine focus and articulate goals. We think of your life and your home similarly. Too much clutter obscures clarity. Our goal is to better your quality of life by ridding it of negative, cluttered space and creating a clear, safe space outside the hustle and bustle of NYC. To reach us directly click here and follow us on Instagram.
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