With the weather getting warmer, it’s a no-brainer why so many people are spending more time outside. However, with spring, comes cleaning. It’s inevitable that these two words go together.

Here in Minnesota, the harsh winter weather can surly make a mess of our apartments. There’s bound to be dust, dirt, debris, water, and everything else in-between that gets tracked in over the course of winter.

Afterall, spring is a time for blossoming and growth. It’s hard to move forward with the season when we’re still holding winter evident in our homes.

Start with a walkthrough. Walk through your apartment and visualize the tasks at hand. Some of these things, we’re sure that you already do.

Think about what needs to get done and what can wait. Think about the time that you have. Will this take a day, a weekend, or longer to get done? Who else will be involved or will it be you? Think about the supplies needed and whether or not you have them.

Take your time and go from room to room. Soon enough, your apartment will be prepped for the season.

Dusting

Dust close to everything. From the top of a room to the bottom. Particles can build up over time on items that you wouldn’t even have thought of. Don’t forget about shelves, blinds, vents, moldings, baseboards, walls, ceilings, light fixtures, and all the furniture in the room.

Windows

Let in a little more sunlight by getting rid of the water marks and residue left on the glass. Make sure to wipe both sides of the windows and the window panes.

Floors

Vacuum and shampoo the carpet. Dust and mop the floors. That means the entire floor, or as much of it as possible. Don’t’ just get the edges.

Food

How many leftover nights never got eaten? Take everything out of both the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Check the dates. Wipe the shelves. Then, place those items left, back in their place.

Storage

Don’t let the pantry stop you from cleaning out the cabinets. Follow your path around the kitchen and bathroom to the nooks and crannies of the drawers and cabinets.

Check the dates for beauty products and medications. Be sure to toss out items past expiration.

Same goes for the appliances. Kitchens and bathrooms are notorious for picking up germs.

Paper

Stuff accumulates, we get it, but it doesn’t mean that it has to stay. Look over the piles of paperwork left behind over the course of months. See if anything is good to throw away and what should be filed away.

Bedding

If you have a double-sided mattress, it’s common to flip your mattress each season. It’s something that is often overlooked or forgotten about but can help you sleep comfortably.

Nowadays, most mattresses are made single-sided – meaning there’s one side of the mattress that should be facing up.

Speaking of bedding, change the sheets. You won’t want to be sleeping in wool blankets when temperatures hit 75 degrees.

Closet

After changing the bedding, you may as well change your clothes. Move those warm winter items further back in the closet and bring forward the cool.

In the process of reviewing your wardrobe think about what you wore and what you didn’t. If you didn’t wear something this past winter, then chances are you won’t wear it next winter either. Clean out those cloests!

That rule of thumb can be applied to almost every room. If you come across something that you don’t use, it may be time to get rid of it – granting you more space.

A few final reminders before you’re done, replace the air filter, replace the batteries in the smoke detectors, and if you have one - don’t forget about the private patio.

After all this, you can consider yourself done. You may now, reap the benefits!
There’s nothing like a freshly cleaned apartment.