Believe it or not, spring has sprung. And so has the time to officially make our homes dirt-free. We get it- the seasonal spring cleaning can be quite the daunting task. And despite the oh-so-gratifying feeling we have on seeing our sparkling living spaces, getting started is a real pain. Thankfully, we have a solution, like we always do.
We figured it was time to seek expert advice. And lo and behold, we have Melissa Maker giving us pro tips. Yes, the Melissa Maker of Clean My Space. Yes, the one who’s been helping us keep our homes dust and clutter-free with her blog posts, YouTube videos and books. Yes, the very same one who is now a Clorox brand ambassador.
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So, we picked this cleaning & organizing pro’s brain to improve our skills and feel motivated to get started. And of course, to set the mood right, ‘cause all great cleaning projects start with the right mood. Anyway, here’s what she shared with us…
#1 Don’t mix up spring cleaning with everyday cleaning
‘I’ll do it all together when I start my spring cleaning’! If you’ve caught yourself saying that, you, like us, are guilty of what is an absolute no-no according to Maker. Cramming everything into one project is what makes the process overwhelming. Doing dishes, laundry, and other daily/weekly chores and disinfecting hard surfaces shouldn’t be part of your spring-cleaning checklist. Melissa suggests, when planning spring cleaning, we focus on less regular tasks like dusting your baseboards or picture frames.
“Spring cleaning is more about maintaining your finishes, fixtures and appliances—kind of like an annual oil change for your house,” asserts Melissa.
#2 Don’t underestimate the power of a checklist
There are multiple reasons why a checklist is a crucial starting point. It serves as a reminder of things that need to be accomplished and helps prioritize and eliminate chores that don’t fit our bill. Melissa encourages that we download a checklist (something that more or less aligns with our goals) and then customize it. An online checklist often reminds us of chores that we might have missed. Take, for example, checking your washing machine for mold or mildew or removing grime that’s built up in your oven (both important chores on the list btw).
And while you need not have an elaborate checklist or follow the online one chore for chore, some cleanups are unmissable. Maintaining appliances (not just washing machines and ovens but everything else) seems to be topping Melissa’s list. That is, of course, if you aren’t renting.
#3 Get your PTTs down right
Wondering what PTT is? We were too. PTT refers to the products, tools and techniques you need to have down right to get your cleaning done. And for Maker (and even us, for that matter), the obvious choice is Clorox. Not only do they have bleach and bleach-free alternatives, but the newest innovation kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Impressive, eh?
The Clorox Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths, Clorox Disinfecting Mist and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are a part of her regular cleaning kit. The mopping cloths are actually textured to trap four times more dirt and hair vs. Clorox Wipes Disinfecting. “My cat— like many cats do— will throw up sometimes, and there’s something to be said about having the certainty of using something like these mopping cloths and not having to think twice about what’s living on the floor,” says Melissa.
And the disinfecting mist is versatile as hell. It can be used on counters, door knobs, toilet exteriors, and oven doors. Just spray and walk away. Plus, it works as a deodorizer, thanks to its delightful lemongrass mandarin fragrance.
BONUS TIP: Don’t go overboard!
This is the tip that matters the most, at least to us. Melissa reminds us that cleaning is all about caring for your home. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of self-care. “Cleaning is about caring for your home, but there’s also self-care, and if spending a ton of time cleaning doesn’t make you happy, you shouldn’t. It shouldn’t feel like a punitive task—just stick to the requirements,” says the cleaning guru. Hmmm, now that’s a tip we’re living by forever.
Well, there you have it folks, the four tips to get you in the cleaning mode and better your cleaning process. Happy spring, and happy cleaning!
