Tag: deep-clean

Start Your Spring-Cleaning Engines!

Posted on by Jordank

Thursday, March 20, marks the beginning of #spring. The Organizing Blog’s favorite season, spring gives people everywhere a great incentive to #clean and #organize their homes.

#Spring #cleaning is a time-honored tradition. Over a long winter shut tight against the cold, homes tend to gather dirt and grime. It’s time to throw the windows open and sweep, mop and wipe away that buildup.

Four out of five American households engage in spring cleaning at least once a year, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), and nearly as many — 78% — spend an average of six days spring-cleaning their homes.

ACI’s survey notes that Americans don’t like to clean hard-to-reach places that attract considerable dust and grime, such as vents. Most would rather clean their own homes than do their own taxes, however, and often concentrate on windows, floors and toilets. Still, it can be tough to get started.

The first step is to get rid of #clutter — clothing that doesn’t fit, old paperwork, broken knickknacks and other stuff that’s just taking up space. Put these items into the trash, storage or a #donation bag; cleaning will proceed more quickly with them out of the way. And as always, contact ClothingDonations.org for any lightly used castoffs you’d like to get rid of for good.

Next, make sure you have the equipment and supplies necessary to do a thorough cleaning, including gloves, cleansers, sponges, rags, and a good broom, vacuum cleaner and mop. A new broom sweeps clean!

Create a checklist of to-dos in order to make what might seem like a monumental task more approachable, The Spruce says. “Walk through your house and take note of the things that need to be done and tackle those first,” says Clean Mama Becky Rapinchuk.

Having an immediate impact on your home environment may make you want to tackle more tasks, so continue down that list. You might not get to everything in a week or month, but you’ll see progress toward a #cleaner, #healthier home — and that can get you energized to do more. Start your spring-cleaning engines!

#SpringCleaning

Holiday Traditions Around the World

Posted on by Jordank

Though you might not know it to look at the ads, stores and events, the #holidays mean more than #Christmas alone. In fact, nearly every faith and most cultures around the world will observe festive winter #holiday #traditions this month.

Hanukkah is currently underway, a #celebration that commemorates a rebellion in Judea that saw the Maccabees retake and rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. More than 2,000 years later, The Organizing Blog hopes that peace can prevail this holiday.

A growing tradition in the United States, Kwanzaa is modeled after traditional African harvest festivals. The seven-day celebration begins the day after Christmas and lasts until the new year, with each day representing principles of faith, family and community.

Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day on Dec. 8 each year to celebrate Siddhartha Gautama’s spiritual enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree in the 5th century B.C. The day is observed with meditation, acts of kindness and often a humble meal of tea and cake.

Observations of the winter solstice go back to the Stone Age. Pagans celebrate the longest night of the year at Stonehenge, thought to be a celestial “clock” due to the arrangement of its stones, but the event is also celebrated by the Hopi and with holidays in China, Sweden and Iran.

Avid #declutterers and Orthodox Christians may wish to celebrate a pre-Christmas holiday, St. Nicholas Day. Symbolizing good deeds that Santa Claus’ inspiration was known for such as giving away his possessions, the day is associated with acts of service such as volunteering, sharing and raising money for charity.

And let’s not forget the anti-Christmas of Krampusnacht. Krampus — the goat-like evil twin of Santa — appears on Dec. 5 in Central Europe to remind children to be nice during the holidays or risk the penalty of being snatched and eaten.

The modern practice of getting a bucket of fried chicken at KFC on Christmas Eve notwithstanding, The Organizing Blog’s favorite Japanese winter holiday tradition is likely Omisoka, a New Year’s Eve celebration centered around a household #deep-cleaning.

However you choose to #celebrate, The Organizing Blog wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

Declutter as You Deep-Clean for Fall

Posted on by Jordank

Now that you’ve done the hardest parts of the home, you can tackle the bedrooms and living areas. Start by refreshing any bedding that doesn’t get washed regularly, Apartment Therapy says, such as comforters and pillows. Vacuum the mattresses, and swap warm-weather bedding for cold. In the closets and dressers, switch out seasonal clothing, culling out any you no longer use and #donating them to ClothingDonations.org. In living areas, dust flat surfaces, wash baseboards and vacuum upholstered furniture thoroughly. Finally, #clean your screens and remotes, and kick back for some binge-watching. You’ve earned it! #FallCleaning

Deep-Cleaning the Bathrooms in Your Home

Posted on by Jordank

Any area that sees water and steam is likely to get dirtier faster than the rest of the house, so #fall is a great time to #deep-clean the bathrooms in your home. Go beyond the usual scrubbing of the porcelain fixtures, says Housewife How-Tos: Remove and wash shower curtains and/or descale glass shower enclosures. Clear, clean and #declutter bathroom shelves and cabinets. Clean drains, mirrors and grout. Wash all textile items such as towels and rugs. Vacuum the exhaust fan, wash down the walls with a mild cleansing solution (warm water and white vinegar works well), and finally, sweep and mop thoroughly. #FallCleaning

Deep-Clean Your Kitchen for Fall Cooking

Posted on by Jordank

The first stop on a #fall #cleaning checklist is likely going to be the kitchen, which will see some heavy usage as the holidays approach. Start by #decluttering pantry items and countertops, says Unexpectedly Domestic; there are likely dozens of items you don’t need to sort through every time you cook something — including expired ingredients. Then move on to a deep-clean of the refrigerator (inside, outside and coils), the microwave, the dishwasher, and the oven and stovetop. For a fresh-smelling and sanitary environment, clean and #disinfect garbage cans and drains, and wipe down the walls with a mild cleansing solution to rid them of grease and dust. #FallCleaning