Nobody has to be told about wiping down doorknobs and washing their hands. But while saying it’s time to spring clean may sound redundant in the age of COVID-19, disinfected clutter is still disinfected clutter. And no amount of hand sanitizer will organize your garage or closets for you. So assuming you have some free time or possibly could simply use the distraction, why not tackle what is one of any year’s most intimidating, oft-delayed around-the-home endeavors? Here are a few tips to help you draw up your painstaking plan of action, room by room.
CLEAN FROM THE TOP DOWN
If you want to save time and energy, clean from the top to bottom — meaning dust the ceilings and ceiling fans first, so gravity does the work for you. Then you only need to vacuum your floors once. (One easy way to dust your ceiling fan while avoiding covering yourself with debris: slip an old pillowcase over each blade, then draw it forward to gather the dust inside. Once most of the dirt has been removed, then you can quickly wipe the blades down with a cloth.)
BATHROOM
Start cleaning by throwing almost everything out: the toilet brush, the toothbrushes, the shower curtain, even the trash can. Replacing them is both sanitary and inexpensive. Once that’s done, move onto the medicine cabinet to similarly dispose of anything that’s expired: from cosmetics to medications. You may also want to put in a new fan, since they are key to ventilating moisture, therefore protecting against mold and mildew.
KITCHEN
As with the bathroom, toss out everything that has collected over the winter months, such as expired condiments. Then clear out your cabinets to wipe down the shelves. If you have stainless steel appliances, don’t use harsh chemicals or steel wool, which can cause damage. Although you should consult the owner’s manual to see which cleaners to avoid, a simple cloth, warm water and dish detergent should be fine. Then dry them carefully to avoid water spots.
CLOSETS
Your first question should be: when was the last time I wore this and will I wear it again in the foreseeable future? Once you’ve answered that question, donate or dispose of the garments and items that are only gathering dust. From there, it’s all about utilizing available space. That might mean a closet system, whether one that is professionally installed or one that you can install yourself. Or it might be something as relatively simple as switching to velvet, space-saving, non-slip hangers.
THE GARAGE
The same rule that applies to the closet is true of the garage (or anywhere else where you might have skis stored away even though you haven’t hit the slopes in years). Think about what you want to keep and what you are only hanging on to for sentimental value. After that, clean and organize the garage. If square footage is limited, consider vertical wall hanging or ceiling track storage, which secures storage bins onto the ceiling. And remember that some things should never be stored here, including paint or other chemicals that require a constant temperature; leather, which can be damaged by moisture; or food that will lure insects or other pests.