Spring cleaning can be both a whirlwind and overwhelming endeavor. But whether you have trouble tossing old junk, you’re looking for a new project or you’re wondering how to get those suspicious smells out of your kitchen, we have a few ideas on how you can clean up for the spring & summer season. Read below to freshen up your home with these basic spring cleaning tips.

Reuse, recycle, repurpose
Before you start cleaning up the dust and dirt, you gotta get rid of that clutter – and if you struggle with this, then we have good news! Most of the stuff lying around your house can be reused, recycled or repurposed. Too many toilet paper rolls? Use them to corral cords and cables. Empty picture frames? Create inexpensive, chic décor by making them into serving platters. And if you’re stuck with too much stuff you just need to get rid of, check out this article for sites where you can swap your stuff. If you want to feel good about whatever you need to toss, consider giving to places like Goodwill, which rely on your used stuff to create jobs in the community.
Want more ideas on repurposing? Check out this post, “50 Creative Ways to Repurpose, Reuse and Upcycle Old Things” for a more extensive list.

Shake it out
Okay, the clutter is gone – what do you do next? Removing clutter probably revealed oodles of dust, which is not only gross, but could be impacting your health. So once you get a nice day, roll up your sleeves (along with your windows) and begin shaking out and hanging up rugs, linens and curtains outside. This not only allows you to skip the dry cleaners (making this a money-saving, kinder to the environment activity) but it gives you a chance to freshen your home and clear the air – literally!

Wipe it down
Once you’ve shaken out the dust, it’s time to wipe down surfaces – and since you’re spring cleaning, we mean ALL surfaces. Go natural by mixing water with lemon, lime and/or orange oils (all of which are natural disinfectants) for household sprays, or mixing baking soda with water to scrub metal surfaces and battle soap scum.

Looking for a bit of shine? Polish up furniture with coconut oil, and remove rust and baked-on food with an effervescent, bubbly mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Finish it all off with a few strategically placed soy candles, scented with essential oils (for an easy tutorial, check out this one at Candlescience.com or support smaller vendors and artists by purchasing at Etsy.com).