The days are getting longer and warmer, and that means one thing: It’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning. It’s an important ritual—nothing feels quite as refreshing and satisfying as a sparkling-clean living space—but one that can feel incredibly daunting.
That’s why we’ve called on Clorox® Canada ambassador Melissa Maker, known best as the cleaning expert behind online platform and YouTube channel Clean My Space, for some help. Here, Maker shares some of her best tips and tricks for cleaning and disinfecting your home, for the spring and beyond.
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Make a distinction between every day and spring cleaning
“Cleaning your house regularly is important: it helps keeps things dirt- and dust-free, germs at bay, and visually looking great,” says Maker. Tasks like laundry, dirty dishes and disinfecting surfaces*** are all things that should be part of your daily or weekly rotation.
But, as you start to think about your big spring-cleaning overhaul, it’s important to approach it differently than you would any other type of cleaning, Maker explains. “Spring cleaning is more about maintaining your finishes, fixtures and appliances***—kind of like an annual oil change for your house,” she says. Focus on things you may do less often, like dusting your baseboards or picture frames, to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Start with a checklist
Whether you’re doing a big spring clean or just your run-of-the-mill house maintenance, Maker encourages people to go online and find a checklist (Pinterest has great, aesthetically-pleasing ones) that overlaps with some of your needs, then customize it so it works for you. The trick is to remember that it should only ever serve as a starting point, because everyone has different living spaces, time commitments, lifestyles and priorities. “I don’t actually think it’s important for you to do all the cleaning things all the time,” Maker says. “Cleaning is about caring for your home, but there’s also self-care, and if spending a ton of time cleaning doesn’t make you happy, you shouldn’t [go overboard]. It shouldn’t feel like a punitive task—just stick to the requirements.”
That said, there are a couple of things you shouldn’t skip, especially if you’re not a renter. “Maintaining your appliances is really important,” Maker says. “It helps your machine run more efficiently, makes them look more visually appealing and prolongs their lifespan.” Your spring cleaning session is a great time to, say, check your dishwasher for microbial growth or remove any grime that’s built up in your oven***.
Know your PTTs
Before you even start cleaning, Maker says you have to understand the PTTs—the products, tools and techniques—that are essential for getting the job done. This is why Maker relies on Clorox’s easy-to-use products, many of which can kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
For any spills or messes on the floor, she turns to the Clorox® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths, which are textured to trap four-times more particles, dirt and hair.* “They’re really multi-purpose,” she says. “My cat—like many cats do—will throw up sometimes, and there’s something to be said about having the certainty of using something like these mopping cloths and not having to think twice about what’s living on the floor.”
Clorox®Clorox® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths Shop Now
Maker also loves the Clorox® Disinfecting Mist, which is equipped with a reusable trigger. She’ll spritz some on her countertops (it also works as a deodorizer, with a delightful lemongrass-mandarin scent), kids’ toys**, or even door knobs for effortless disinfection-sanitization. Pro-tip: like with most other disinfecting products, read the back label to see how much time the spray is needed to settle on a surface for it to work effectively.
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And, of course, there’s the classic and always-reliable Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, which are perfect for tables, countertops, refrigerator doors and more. There are fewer products that are more convenient, according to Maker. “They work really, really well,” she says. “When you use something like this on a surface, you know it’s going to be clean afterwards.”
Clorox®Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes Fresh Scent Shop Now
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*vs. Clorox Wipes Disinfecting
** Avoid contact with food. Rinse surface prior to use.
***Always read and follow the product label.
The Kit created this content; Clorox® funded and approved it
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Originally Appeared Here