The sunshine is finally starting to creep in and it’s officially Spring time! I love Spring- the flowers, the warmth, spring style.. But the allergies, not so much. Spring calls for Spring cleaning but I find that it’s a struggle for me because as much as I’d like to full on clean my home, I have TERRIBLE allergies to dust and pollen.
Spring cleaning can feel like a big undertaking but it’s a great way to revamp your space and get it ready for the beautiful weather.
As I’m getting over a terrible bout of hay fever, I want to share how I get my spring cleaning and decluttering done with my allergies :
Make a List of your Spring Cleaning Tasks
It can be overwhelming to take on a full Spring Cleaning of your space. I recently got married and moved in with my husband so we are definitely learning and finding solutions to keep our apartment clean!
Our space includes our room, home office, kitchen, giant closet of clothes, shoes, equipment and more – aka lots of clutter.
I always have to remind myself that I don’t have to do it all in one go, and that I shouldn’t pressure myself to! Cleaning is a tiring task, and I basically call it exercise. I share how you can fit in exercise in a busy schedule and this is a great example of it, don’t ya think?
I recommend breaking it down into smaller tasks/corners which can help you stay calm and get your Spring Cleaning done. We like writing everything down on a checklist and crossing things off as I go- I feel productive that way haha!
We like to start with our kitchen, then move into our living room and home office since they are shared spaces. Then we get our closet space is done at one go, and then I move on to my reading desk, outer closet, vacuuming, etc. I share more about how I cleared all the clutter with the KonMari method HERE.
It’s almost impossible for me not to start sneezing and itching once I get going because of all the dust. If you’re like me, I try to combat the allergies severity by eating Claritin prior to cleaning, plus wearing a face mask for an additional filter from inhaling the dust. Based on experience, I now try not to touch my skin during cleaning either- the struggle is real.
Organize Your Space and Declutter
It’s time to spark some joy!
If you’re familiar with the KonMari Method of cleaning, this is the perfect time to try it out. Or if you’ve been binge watching Marie Kondo on Netflix!
Before you even think about deep spring cleaning with cleansers, firstly start by organizing your space and get rid of all the clutter you’ve been hanging onto from the past year/years. It will help clear your rooms and give you a better idea of what needs to be cleaned.
You’ll be surprised how much you will get rid of. When I moved out of my parent’s place, I did a BIG decluttering knowing Elbert and I would have to combine spaces. I found SO many random stacks of paper and notebooks that I didn’t even know I collected. Of course, I did end up recycling, and donating a bunch of it to Value Village.
For the paper items that I did end up keeping, I bought file holders, folders and transparent organizers to help keep everything neat and tidy in our home office.
A clear space is much easier to be cleaned that a crowded space.
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Clean Your Way From Top to Bottom
This is super important especially if you are sensitive to dust.
When going through your rooms, clean from everything high up and then finish with the bottom. Dust will naturally float down so if you start from the bottom up, all your hard work will just end back up on your newly cleaned space.
It will also prevent dust from being kicked back up into the air. If you go from top down, the dust will stay on the floor until you are ready to vacuum.
I unfortunately keep a lot of storage boxes up top that end up collecting dust. It KILLS my nose and my allergies kick in to full force. Lately, with my hay fever, I’ve started using my Dyson Hot + Cold Purifier more frequently and it does wonders to clean the air from allergens.
My room flooring is carpeted so I vacuum, but if you have tiles, I usually love using the Swiffer for my toilet– you can use it to mop or just sweep!
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Don’t Forget to Clean the Unexpected Places
There are a lot of places in our homes that we tend to avoid or just completely forget about. Things like window ledges, rugs, and fans need a little love too so here’s a list of hidden spring cleaning spots you should remember as well:
Kitchen Floor Tiles
Food scraps and bits from your kitchen can get stuck in the cracks of your tiles and we tend to forget about these little sections. Give that floor a good wash and scrub in between each tile. We love using the Mr Clean erasers to scrub down the tiles- they work in case you’re wondering!
Again, if you are prone to allergies, I’d wear some gloves!
Ovens and Stoves
Clean the racks and the actual parts of your stove. When cooking, bits of food can fall underneath the stove plates or underneath the racks in your oven. Giving it a good scrub is not only hygienic but will also give your appliances that new feel.
Rugs
A lot of us have hardwood floor and use rugs to break up the spaces. Even though we wash the floor around it, the rug needs a good deep clean as well!
Windows Ledges
When that sun starts to creep in, your windows will get lots more use! That’s usually when I start to notice how much dust and grime actually collects in those areas. It’s gross haha, and definitely needs some cleaning.
Shelves
Shelves are so important because they hold all our items and treasures! They usually don’t get clean because of how many items we have to take down in order to get a good scrub. Take them time to do this. It will also help keep your important items clean and less dusty.
Needless to say, I also take a shower to wash off any allergens and moisturize to make sure my skin stays protected! I share more skincare tips here and they definitely cross over into any aspect of our life in every season!
Invest in the Proper Supplies
The cleaning aisles of stores can be overwhelming.
There are different cleaners for bathrooms, kitchens, ovens, floors and more! While you don’t need all these supplies, it’s important to start building a core supple toolkit to keep your space clean.
I love products that have dual use like all-purpose cleaner. I use that for counter tops in both my kitchen, dining room and living room!
Try to find products that work for different spaces in your home. But items like oven cleaner and bathroom specific supplies are probably best bought for their specific purpose.
One of my favourite items is Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. Seriously, it’s magic! It makes any surface look brand new.
For my toilet, I usually stick to the lemon Lysol wipes!
Also take the time to invest in good, safety supplies
Cleaners and dust aren’t the best for your skin and lungs so it’s important to keep yourself protected. Purchase gloves when cleaning with harsh chemicals and buy a face mask so that you aren’t breathing in fumes or dust.
Safety first!
I hope these tips help you jump start your spring cleaning. Let’s make those spaces spark joy!
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Disclaimer: This post contains various affiliate links and I might receive a small percentage of the sale if you decide to make a purchase!**
Till next time,
xoxo Sam