We’re just a couple of short weeks away from spring, which means warm weather, sunshine, outdoor adventures, and of course, spring cleaning! Considering cleaning is the least exciting of those options, we’ve created a list of 6 spring cleaning tips for your apartment! When the warm weather rolls around, you won’t want to spend time indoors cleaning, so now is the best time to get ahead of your chores. There’s nothing better than the feeling of a clean and fresh apartment! Our tips will help you create an organized plan-of-attack so that you can clean as quickly and efficiently as possible.

  1. Get the Necessary Tools

First things first, you’ve got to have the right tools in your cleaning arsenal. You don’t want to get in the flow of cleaning, only to have your momentum interrupted when you realize you’re missing some cleaning products. Here are some of the tools we recommend getting together before starting:

  • Vacuum
  • Mop or Swiffer
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Rubber gloves
  • Bathroom cleaners
  • Paper towels
  • Glass cleaner
  • Carpet or fabric cleaner
  • Trash bags
  1. Create a List and Organize It

When creating your list, you want to think of those big tasks you’ve been putting off for a while. If there’s something you constantly procrastinate doing, you may want to add that to your list. It’ll be much easier to tackle these tasks with the momentum you build from your spring cleaning. Just think of how proud you’ll be once it’s checked off your list! When it comes to creating your list, remember, cleaning means more than just wiping down surfaces. You can redecorate a room, donate some clothes, or organize the fridge!

Once your list is complete, prioritize your tasks based on difficulty and time. For example, cleaning out the oven will be more time-consuming and difficult than washing your bedding. Always start with the labor-intensive tasks. You’ll have more energy initially, and crossing off those tasks will give you motivation for the next project!

  1. Go Room by Room 

Even though apartments are quicker and easier to clean than houses, it can still feel overwhelming at times. Deciding to tackle the whole apartment at once will add to this feeling and make your cleaning take longer than necessary. We recommend going room by room. It will make the process much more manageable, and if you need to take a break and pick it up later, you’ll remember exactly where you left off. As we mentioned earlier, you want to start with the room that requires the most effort. You might be exhausted by the end of the day, so it’s best to leave the easy spaces for last.

Also, try working top to bottom. If you sweep and mop your floors until they’re spotless, then dust off your fan after, you’ll have to clean your floor a second time! For every room, dust light fixtures, ceiling fans, and wall art first. Using a microfiber dust cloth and vacuum attachment is a great way to clean these areas without spreading too much dust.

  1. Declutter

Cleaning’s going to be much more difficult with a cluttered apartment. Before breaking out the cleaning supplies, go through each room and put away any items that are laying out. This step also gives you an opportunity to throw away or donate anything you don’t use or need anymore. Do you have clothes hanging up in your closet that you can’t remember the last time you wore them? Donate them to your local Goodwill! Decluttering first will make your space feel more open and relaxing, giving you a great starting point.

  1. Recruit Help

While spring cleaning is easier with roommates, not all hope is lost for those living alone! Having some friends or family to help out will turn a full-day event into a half-day. In return, you can help them with their spring cleaning, take them out to lunch, or buy them a drink afterward!

  1. Use a HEPA vacuum 

If you or one of your roommates suffers from allergies or asthma, this is a must-have! A HEPA vacuum removes more than just dust. It catches micro-particles invisible to the eye like allergens, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, and other airborne impurities. The vacuum works by forcing air through a fine mesh filter that traps these harmful particles. They remove at least 99.97% of particles bigger than 0.3 microns. For reference, a human hair is 40 microns, so you can see how well the filter picks up microscopic particles!

In Summary

When spending the day spring cleaning, know that it doesn’t have to be a pain! You can cross out the tasks you’ve been putting off the past year, and you’ll feel amazing once your whole apartment’s clean. We hope our article about 5 spring cleaning tips for your apartment helped out! If you’re looking to rent an apartment in downtown San Diego, check out SD Flats! You can reach us directly on our website or by calling Island Flats at (619) 232-4138 or J Street Flats at (619) 696-6922.