It’s that time of year again! The sun is shining and, on good days, temperatures are rising in Indiana. It is no surprise that spring, a season characterized by growth and new beginnings, is traditionally seen as the perfect time to clean house. Reasons to give your home a little extra love this spring extend beyond aesthetics. Studies show a clean home lowers stress and reduces allergy and asthma symptoms.
The Recorder partnered with Menards to offer five tips on reclaiming your home this spring.
Get organized
Spring cleaning and organization go together like movies and popcorn, but you don’t have to be a neat freak to get organized — it just takes planning and tough love. Make sure everything in your home has a proper place. Invest in storage bins and find multifunction room pieces to make a smaller home more manageable. Closet organizers and shoe racks are all functional items to consider when organizing your space.
Break your bedroom blues
Your bedroom should be your oasis, but stacks of magazines, bills and electronics can make it difficult to relax and unwind. If you ditch the clutter and still find it difficult to sleep, your bed might be the culprit. The Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every seven to 10 years, depending on comfort and support. If you are not ready for a replacement just yet, invest in a comfy mattress topper. Shades and thick drapes are the perfect combination to block light and insulate your room, and blackout curtains will reduce noise from the outdoors. If you aren’t afraid to pick up a paintbrush, restful shades such as grays, pale blues, aquas and greens can bring you to a calm place.
Tackle carpet stains
Kids, pets and general foot traffic easily tarnish your carpet. While stains are inevitable, most carpet includes protection properties on the fiber, making spot and stain removal easier. To clean common stains such as coffee, soda or juice, use 1/4 teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid and one cup of warm water. Substances like blood, mustard and chocolate may require several rounds of cleaning by mixing ammonia and water. It is recommended to vacuum three to four times per week and have your carpets deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
Invigorate your senses
Spring is in the air, but does your home have the aroma of fragrant flowers and fresh rain or something a little less pleasant? While candles and scented sprays may be the first thing that come to mind when thinking of ways to make your home smell better, natural alternatives are less likely to upset allergies. Eliminate offensive odors in your home by banning cigarettes indoors and remember to clean pet bedding regularly. Baking soda works as a great, non-toxic air freshener for people with asthma. Consider spritzing a mixture of water and your favorite essential oils around your home to improve its fragrance and open windows to air out your space.
Up your curb appeal
Giving the exterior of your home some TLC doesn’t have to break the bank. You can undertake easy and affordable home improvements to up your curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home, and you can find exterior paint for around $30 a gallon. Simply painting the front door can make your space brighter and more welcoming. Speaking of brightness, updating your exterior light fixtures makes your home safer and more appealing. Colorful flowers and plants are a simple way to make your yard more attractive.
Contact reporter Keshia McEntire at 317-762-7853. Follow her on Twitter
Spring cleaning
