After glaring at us for months, daring us to brave her elements, Mother Nature is cracking a smile. Her sun is stronger, her winds are gentler, her temps are milder. With open arms she is extending an invitation to all. As the late, great Robin Williams observed, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘let’s party!’”
But before you can get that party started, you might want to kick off the season by giving your living space a thorough going over. If you’re lucky enough to have already rightsized into one of Overture’s premier senior living apartments, congrats! Compared to the gargantuan project of overhauling the family home, this year’s spring cleaning will be a balmy breeze.
Here are a few tips for celebrating spring in a fresh, organized, spotless space.
Think Green
Eco-friendly cleaning methods and products that use renewable, plant-based ingredients instead of harsh chemicals are not only safer for the planet, but also for you and your helpers – especially if those helpers are little ones.
Why not try:
· Reusable cleaning cloths.
Instead of tossing them in the garbage, throw them in the washing machine and use them again.
· Homemade cleaning solutions.
For many cleaning jobs ingredients that are already in your fridge will do the trick. Baking soda, white vinegar, and lemons can create solutions that will work magic. Here are a few suggestions from Good Housekeeping
· Eco-friendly laundry detergent.
Try laundry detergent that is perfume and dye free.
· Save Those Old Toothbrushes.
Instead of throwing away old toothbrushes, repurpose them into cleaning tools. They’re great for hard-to-reach spots like grout lines between tiles and the edges of tubs and faucets.
Set Goals
Begin this project by zeroing in on what you hope to achieve. Is there an upcoming event you are preparing to host? Are you trying to reduce clutter? Do you simply want to clean all the nooks and crannies that collected dust over the winter? Managing expectations at the finish line will help streamline the process and reduce stress.
Create a Schedule
A thorough spring cleaning can have many layers. You may be aiming to get rid of some stuff that didn’t get cut when you rightsized. This can be emotional and can take time. Don’t rush. Honor your emotions and give yourself time to make decisions you are comfortable with. The actual cleaning is physical and can be taxing, so assign yourself a couple hour’s worth of tasks per day and let the job take as long as it takes without wearing yourself out.
Safety First
It’s important to get rid of all those dust bunnies before applying any cleaning solution or vacuuming. When dusting, throw on a mask and some glasses - or goggles if you have them - to protect your eyes, nose and lungs from potentially harmful particles.
Also, be sure to tread carefully when venturing into spaces behind furniture, or under rugs. Make sure you create a clear path with no tripping hazards in the way.
Get Reinforcements
Nobody says spring cleaning is a solo sport. It’s okay to ask for help. The best part of moving into an Overture senior apartment is the supportive community. Invite some neighbors over to help – or even just to keep you company while you wade through your stuff - and reward them with cookies and cocktails. They’ll be lining up to join the fun.
Spring into Overture. It’s all about new beginnings.