Spring has sprung, and that means one thing: spring cleaning. Whether you started while there was still snow on the ground or haven’t even thought about getting started, there’s more you can do than simply dropping off boxes of old clothes at Goodwill and re-organizing the spice drawer.
This year, get more in-depth with your spring cleaning and have a worry-free summer. From taking care of your car to dealing with the old files on your computer, here are a few more things you should consider cleaning this spring:
- Your Car
Whether you mostly use it for long road trips or to commute to work every day, your car probably needs more attention than you realize. Random things — jackets, empty cups, that missing phone charger — have likely accumulated, on top of dust, spills, and dirt. Put those odds and ends away, then spend some time in there with a vacuum and wet rags to take care of any grime.
In addition, think about taking your car to a mechanic for a tune-up or getting that oil change you’ve been putting off. It’s better to stay on top of your car’s maintenance; sometimes a minor problem can become a major issue, and you might not know until it’s too late. If you have any summer road trips planned, you’ll be happy you took care of your car beforehand.
- Your Mattress
Ideally, you spend eight hours or one-third of each and every day sleeping in your bed. You probably know to change your sheets every couple of weeks, and maybe you wash your pillows every few months too. Maybe you even flip your mattress seasonally. However, when was the last time you cleaned your mattress?
Like your sheets, your mattress is susceptible to stains, pests, and odors. A mattress cover is a great first step to protect it from moisture and debris. In addition, be sure to vacuum it to get rid of microscopic pests, skin cells, and hair. Do your best to get rid of any stains, then use baking soda or essential oils to neutralize any smells. Not only will this maintenance ensure your mattress lasts as long as possible, you’ll rest easier this summer knowing that it’s clean.
- The Environment
Though it may sound like a tall order, there’s more you can do for the environment this spring than you realize. The consequences of climate change are becoming more apparent and intense and on top of that, climate change is costing you money. Here are a few ways spring cleaning can help you save money and the environment:
- Install low-flow showerheads in your bathrooms. They use less water, which both your wallet and the earth will thank you for. To help even more, use cold or warm water when possible!
- Fix up or invest in a bike and begin using that instead of your car (after all, you just spent all that time making it nice and clean. You don’t want to get it dirty again!). The weather is getting nicer, you won’t have as big of a carbon footprint, and you can save on gas and maintenance on your car.
- Change the lights in your house if you haven’t already switched to halogen or LED bulbs. Energy efficient lights cost less to use, last longer, and are better for the environment.
You will have to spend a little money and time on these projects, but it’s an investment worth making this spring!
- Your Computer
Computers and technology are great, but they are one more thing to add to the spring cleaning list. Cleaning up your computer can make it run better and faster, and possibly extend its life. Though the specifics of internal cleaning differ for Macs and PCs, the basics are the same: old files and programs slow down computers. Permanently delete files you don’t need or want. For the files you want to keep, reorganize them if needed and back them up into cloud storage. Do the system or software updates you’ve been putting off; they may be annoying, but your computer will be safer and faster after the fact.
Those updates can take a long time to install, so clean the outside of your computer while you wait. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the screen, as they won’t leave behind any streaks or scratches. To get all the crumbs and dust out of your keyboard, use compressed air. For any slimy or grimy keys, put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and carefully clean the dirty keys. Use a Q-tip to get between the keys. You’ll feel like you have a whole new computer once you finish.
Spring is already the time of year that we take care of chores that don’t need attention every day, so if you have anything else you’ve been meaning to take care of, do it! Clean your makeup brushes, make an emergency survival kit for your car, or finally get around to making those doctor’s appointments. Your summer will be all the better for getting these unexpected chores done now.
Madison Ann Baker is a writer, Netflix-binger, and pop culture enthusiast who lives in Idaho. Literature and linguistics are her two passions, both of which she studied in college. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog and binge-reading fantasy novels.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mabakerwrites
Contently: https://mabakerwrites.contently.com/
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