Category: spring cleaning

  • 10 Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks for a Truly Fresh Home!

    10 Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks for a Truly Fresh Home!

    Spring cleaning is a comprehensive process, and it’s easy to overlook certain areas or tasks in the midst of it. Here are some commonly overlooked things during spring cleaning:

    Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

    First, start with Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures: Dust and dirt accumulate on ceiling fans and light fixtures over time. Use a ladder and a damp cloth or an extendable duster to clean these areas thoroughly.

    Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

    used with permission from Chestnut Groves Design

    Baseboards and Crown Molding: Baseboards and crown molding can collect dust and grime unnoticed. Wipe them down with a damp cloth or use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dirt and cobwebs.

    Window Treatments: Curtains, blinds, and drapes can harbor dust, pet hair, and allergens. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean them properly, whether it’s washing, vacuuming, or dry cleaning.

    Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

    used with permission from Chestnut Groves Design

    More Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

    Next, Vents and Air Ducts: Dust and debris can accumulate in vents and air ducts, affecting indoor air quality. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean vent covers and consider hiring a professional to inspect and clean your air ducts if necessary.

    Under Furniture and Appliances: Dust bunnies and dirt tend to accumulate under furniture and appliances. Move furniture and appliances away from the walls to clean behind and underneath them thoroughly.

    Furthermore, Mattresses and Pillows: Mattresses and pillows can harbor dust mites, dead skin cells, and other allergens. Vacuum mattresses and pillows using a upholstery attachment and consider using mattress and pillow protectors to prevent future buildup.

    Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

    used with permission from Chestnut Groves Design

    Kitchen Cabinets and Pantry: Kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves can become cluttered and disorganized over time. Take everything out of cabinets and shelves, wipe them down, and declutter items that are expired or no longer needed.

    Appliance Interiors: Ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, and dishwashers often require interior cleaning beyond their regular use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean these appliances thoroughly, including removing and cleaning refrigerator shelves and drawers.

    Light Switches, Doorknobs, and Handles: Light switches, doorknobs, and handles are frequently touched surfaces that can harbor germs and bacteria. Disinfect these areas thoroughly using a disinfectant spray or wipes.

    Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

    used with permission from Chestnut Groves Design

    Lastly, Garbage Cans and Recycling Bins: Garbage cans and recycling bins can become dirty and smelly over time. Clean them with hot, soapy water and disinfectant to eliminate odors and bacteria.

    By addressing these often overlooked areas during your spring cleaning routine, you can ensure that your home is thoroughly cleaned and refreshed for the season ahead.

    You might also like our post 5 Ways To Get Your Home Ready For Spring

  • Minimalist Interiors An approach for clean and serene spaces

    Minimalist Interiors An approach for clean and serene spaces

    Minimalist Interiors

    Sometimes I think we forget that simple can be just as beautiful and well decorated! With things so hectic in my life right now, it’s nice to see such minimalist interiors that are simple and clean.  Spring and summer is also a great time to clear out clutter – so be a little more ruthless when you empty out those closets this season.

    via BHG

    10 Gorgeous Home Office Makeovers Office makeover from Bower Power. Benjamin Moore Palladium Blue.

    This office space really inspires me to clear mine out a bit.  Less “stuff” means less distractions and therefore better focus.

    via babble

    I don’t think minimal has to mean bare, just well edited and thought out.  It also calls more attention to the objects you do display, so they can take center stage.

    via House of Fifty

    Minimal also doesn’t need to be white, light, or neutral. It’s all about lines and your ratio of positive and negative space.

    via House of Fifty

    Have a seat :)

    via pinterest

    It makes me want to pick a room and see what I can do with it to make it as clean and uncluttered as the ones featured here.  Once we get back from our honeymoon – I think I will start with my office!

  • Freshen up Outside

    Freshen up Outside

    We’ve gotten a taste of some spring like weather here and it’s gotten me excited to get our porch ready for some fun!
    With a wonderful warm weekend and a few rainy days, it’s got the spring cleaning and refreshing bug in me moving!
    I’m ready to sit on the porch and watch the world go by and soak up a nice cool breeze and a warm day. 
    See more images from the best porches on pinterest on domino.com:
    via domino
    Of course my porch will need a little TLC prior to that! I’m thinking about a whole new look out there.
    Are you ready to refresh your outdoor space and enjoy some quality time outside?
  • Spring Cleaning in Winter

    Spring Cleaning in Winter

    I’m not sure what it is about the new year and cleaning but it feels like spring cleaning in here! It might be the sense of purging things I don’t need as a way to get a fresh start, but whatever it is, I love it.
    I take everything off the shelves and out of the cabinets, reevalute when the last time I used it and if it’s worth keeping and freshen up the shelves. Here’s some inspiration if you are feeling the winter cleaning buzz:
    One of my favorite things to do is sometimes rearrange some stuff. Move one basket you had in one room to another one. It’s amazing how refreshing it can feel simply by being moved. But, if you have lots of random items which you need to move out or rearrange, you can take advice from simplymaids sydney and they always go an amazing job.
    10 Amazing Kitchen Updates on a Dime :: Hometalk - Open shelves + accessories = lots of color and details!:
    via hometalk
    If you are needing a whole new look all together, something as simple as fresh fruit or a thrift store find can do wonders!
    Do you have any refreshing things you do for the new year?
  • Taking A Minimalist Approach – clean and serene spaces

    Taking A Minimalist Approach – clean and serene spaces

    Sometimes I think we forget that simple can be just as beautiful as well decorated! With things so hectic in my life with the wedding right now, it’s nice to see such simple, clean spaces.  Spring is also a great time to clear out clutter – so be a little more ruthless when you empty out those closets this season.

    via BHG

    10 Gorgeous Home Office Makeovers Office makeover from Bower Power. Benjamin Moore Palladium Blue.

    This office space really inspires me to clear mine out a bit.  Less “stuff” means less distractions and therefore better focus.

    via babble

    I don’t think minimal has to mean bare, just well edited and thought out.  It also calls more attention to the objects you do display, so they can take center stage.


    via House of Fifty

    Minimal also doesn’t need to be white, light, or neutral. It’s all about lines and your ratio of positive and negative space.

    via House of Fifty

    Have a seat :)

    via pinterest

    It makes me want to pick a room and see what I can do with it to make it as clean and uncluttered as the ones featured here.  Once we get back from our honeymoon – I think I will start with my office!

  • A Functional Office

    A Functional Office

    Between tax season and spring cleaning, I’ve been trying to plan how I’m going to reorganize and clean out my office to make it a little bit more functional and pleasing to the eye. Here are some looks I’ve been loving

    beautiful cabinet with sliding glass doors Live Simply by Annie

    via livesimplybyannie

    Loving this cabinet/bookshelf. Use matching decorative boxes or baskets to store receipts, paperwork and office supplies that you don’t use on a daily basis.

    room15 I like theses drawers for the office

    via pinterest

    Labeled drawers are a great way to keep your supplies and items organized. I love the simple look of the picture above and the labels are barely noticeable so they don’t take away from the piece of furniture. The large drawers are great for keeping papers flat and not bent or rumpled.

    Shop Talk: Alex & Liz’s Office Tour | theglitterguide.com

    via theglitterguide

    A simple open shelving bookcase with a few baskets might do the trick for you! This can give you great places to add a little decor as well as store items. I actually have this same shelving unit in my office and love it.

    via BHG
    Keeping everything I need to get my task complete close by is key for me to stay productive.

    I love a good inspiration board as long as it’s kept somewhat tidy! Mine can get a bit cluttered and then I find them distracting…
    via Sweet Home Style

    Collections and archives are great as long as you are able to keep them grouped together and orderly.
    via Sweet Home Style

  • Great for Spring cleaning: Big sale on organizing basics – bins, storage, etc…

    Great for Spring cleaning: Big sale on organizing basics – bins, storage, etc…

    at Ideeli of course! If you’re not a member, you need to be to shop. But fear not, click the link below and you’ll become a member, pronto. (It’s free and fast)

    www.ideeli.com/invite/decorology

    This sale seems to be selling out quicker than most so hurry!

    ps* I just noticed there’s another similar sale at another discount/sale site – Beyond the Rack (again, you need a membership but it’s free and quick)








  • April’s Monthly Storage Plan: The Laundry Room

    April’s Monthly Storage Plan: The Laundry Room

    So, I’m really late getting you April’s agenda from BHG’s “Month by Month Storage Plan.”
    But I promise you this one is pretty painless – but can make a big difference in saving you time every week doing your laundry. Here is BHG’s suggestions for creating a streamlined, efficient laundry room…

    Sorting Baskets. Place a three-compartment bin or basket in a closet or open shelf in your laundry room (look at home or office supply stores for options). Separate clothing to be repaired, dry-cleaned, and donated.

    Laundry baskets make great sorting bins that are easily moved about. You can download BHG’s free Laundry Labels here. (You may have to sign in or create a profile before they let you do this – just a head’s up)

    Not all of us have the luxury of separate rooms or dedicated spaces for every task or hobby, so a well planned out utility room can handle multiple purposes. This room handles laundry, and crafts such as wrapping… notice the rolls of wrapping paper. A surface over the washer and dryer provides space for crafting. Lots of baskets and bins provide storage for supplies.
    via BHG

    • Keep Detergent Handy. Fill plastic beverage dispensers with laundry detergent, softener, and other liquid laundry additives. Hang a set of plastic measuring cups nearby from a cup hook.

    via House to Home
    Liquids and powders obviously look prettier in glass bottles or tins, but it might not really be practical for everyone. Also – if you forget instructions easily save the usage labels for products.

    • Drying Rack. Mount a drying rack or double towel bar near your washer as a spot for air-drying clean sweaters or rugs.

    via BHG
    This is a great example of the well organized laundry room. It’s not an actual “room” so the owner has cleverly installed curtains to hide the area when not in use. And even though the space is small, a foldable drying rack still fits in nicely. Ballard designs has some great drying racks similar to this one.

    Make a Catch-all for Ironing Supplies. Convert a silverware caddy into a stain-treating or ironing kit. Fill with small size cleaners, spray starches, and linen waters. Be sure to include essential tools such as brushes, dry-cleaning pads, and collar points.

    via House to Home
    Mounting planters or containers can also serve as catchalls for any other cleaning supplies you need on hand.


    Below are some more laundry rooms to inspire you –

    Small, but shelving provides space to organize

    I love the idea of an armoire as a utility room organizer.

    3 images above via BHG





    5 images above via House to Home

    You can read the original content here on BHG.

  • An organization junkie’s dream – Not to miss home organization sale

    An organization junkie’s dream – Not to miss home organization sale

    Spring cleaning is upon us and Beyond the Rack is having an awesome sale on essentials you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Beyond the Rack is one of those sites where you need a membership to shop – and if you click on this link – http://www.beyondtherack.com/member/invite/B3CBBBA8 you can sign up to be a member free and fast.

    Enjoy!

    $54.99 for this hamper cart
    $18.99 for this bamboo shoe rack

    $99.99 baker’s rack

    $11.99 storage set

    $8.99 drawer organizer – (I have one of these and it’s a life saver)
    $19.99 for a 24 pack of wooden hanger

    lots of garment racks on sale – $29.99 for this one

    rolling cart for $89.99

    $34.99 for this entire laundry organization system

    They also have lots of nice bedding, decor, and rugs on sale.