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All month we’ve been discussing spring cleaning and so far we covered the kitchen and bathrooms. What’s left? The place where you can decompress at the end of the day and let the stressors of the day disappear—your bedroom! Your bedroom should be your sanctuary – that place to go to relax – but it needs to be clean and organized for you to do so. Could you really relax in a cluttered room? My guess is NO! Here are some tips you can do to spring clean your bedroom and get it back in order so it can be that calming, relaxing environment when you need it!
Curtains and Linens
• Strip the bed and wash the linens. Depending on what mattress you have, you may want to flip it over before you make the bed again.
• Take down all curtains or drapery and wash or dry clean them. Don’t forget to wipe down any blinds or shades you have in the windows too!
Closets and Drawers
• Take everything, YES EVERYTHING, out and go through it. If you haven’t worn a piece of clothing in a long time or you know it doesn’t fit – get rid of it. There are lots of places to donate unwanted clothing.
• Next, if you haven’t already done this, organize clothes into seasons and store away those that you won’t need again until winter. See through plastic storage bins are great for this because you can see inside when it’s time to break out those clothes again.
• Before you put everything back into drawers or on shelves wipe them down and dust them off!
Here are some simple things you can do daily to keep your bedroom that sanctuary that it should be!
• Make your bed every day – this gives the look of an organized room!
• Keep dirty clothes in hampers, not in piles on the floor.
• Try not to watch TV or work in this room—this is your calming space! Work and disruption are not welcome!
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
This month we are talking spring cleaning! Last week we shared with you some great tips to get your kitchen organized and spring ready! This week we tackle the bathroom! Not the most fun room to clean, I know – but we can all agree it’s necessary, right? During the winter months it’s easy to overlook some areas when you’re cleaning, but when those windows are open and the sun is shining through, you’ll notice how much your bathroom needs some sprucing up! Here are some great tips to get your bathroom clean, organized and sparkling again!
Cleaning
First things first! Empty out the entire bathroom so you can get to every crevice!
1. Start with the shower, step inside with your favorite spray cleaner and get spraying! Most cleaners have you leave it on for a while; then rinse it down. Don’t forget the handles and spicket!
2. Next, wipe down all the cabinets and shelves and once again, don’t forget knobs and handles.
3. The toilet is next. Your favorite item to clean, right? Of course it’s not, but it has to be done! Put on those rubber gloves and scrub it down from top to bottom. Don’t forget to use a toilet bowl cleaner for the inside of the toilet.
4. The countertop and mirrors are next. Wipe down the counters with a really good cleaner and don’t overlook the handles and faucet. Clean those mirrors too!
5. The last thing to tackle is the floor, once you’ve cleaned everything inside the bathroom, sweep and clean the floor and give it time to dry before going back in.
Organizing
Now that the bathroom is clean, let’s organize it so you can find what you need!
1. Appliances – first plug them all in to make sure they still work. If so, use a storage bin or drawer to keep them all together either under the sink cabinet or in a linen closet.
2. Toiletries/Meds – make sure to throw out any expired medications or toiletry items first, then go through keeping like items together so when you need something, you know just where to look!
3. Towels – keep all towels and washcloths together stored in a linen closet or stored neatly on shelves in your bathroom.
There! Now you have a clean, organized bathroom that’s sparkling again! Use these daily/weekly tips to keep your bathroom sparkling daily!
• Rinse out the shower/tub after each use
• Clean mirrors with a spray cleaner
• Clean toilets with a toilet bowl cleaner
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
Spring! A time to open those windows and air out your home. Once you start to do this you realize how much dust can collect during the winter season! One of the best rooms to start your spring cleaning with is the kitchen. This tends to be the busiest room in the house, where people and things seem to congregate! When is the last time you cleaned out the cabinets or dusted the top of the refrigerator? How about that stove, when is the last time it was cleaned? Probably too long ago, right? Here are some great tips to get your kitchen in tip top shape again!
Appliances
• Refrigerator- Take out all items and throw out expired and almost empty items. Remove all shelves and drawers and wash them out in the sink. Wipe out the entire inside of the empty refrigerator before putting the drawers and shelves back in. Then put all the food back in.
• Oven- If you have an oven cleaner- now is the time to put it on! If not, get out those gloves and sponge and start scrubbing! Make sure to also clean the burners, knobs, and handles.
• Dishwasher- make sure it’s empty and run it with vinegar and baking soda to clean it out.
• Microwave- Wipe down both inside and outside and don’t forget that turntable!
• Coffeemaker- Wipe down entire machine and wash the small parts. You can run vinegar through this too, to give it a good cleaning!
Cabinets
• Take everything out of them and wipe them down- both inside and outside.
• Go through the items and throw out or recycle containers with missing lids.
• Store items that aren’t used on a regular basis elsewhere – no need to clutter the cabinets with items you only use a couple times a year!
The Forgotten Areas
• Ceilings and walls – don’t forget to wipe these areas down to keep the kitchen looking new!
• Doors and doorknobs – wipe down these areas and clean the windows to any doors.
• Switch plates and air vents – these areas are easily overlooked but wiping them down can really keep your kitchen looking clean and new (and keep the dust from piling up in those vents!)
So there, now the kitchen is done! Now when your family and friends gather at your house you can be assured the kitchen is ready and waiting for them! Next week we tackle the not so fun to clean, but very necessary to do, bathroom! Tune in next week to get those great tips!
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
Spring is finally here! Last week we discussed ways to get your office and finances organized for spring. This week we’ll discuss getting your home ready for the warmer weather! Think about it… getting your house clean and organized now, frees up your time for the warm, sunny days ahead! There are a lot of rooms to cover in a home so let’s start with a checklist to help you get going.
Spring Cleaning Checklist:
- First make a list of everything you want to tackle in your house, list the rooms you want to work on, then under that room list what you want to do in each room.
- Make the time to clean! Schedule your cleaning in your calendar just like it was an appointment. This way you can plan other chores or tasks around your “cleaning schedule.”
- Start with one room at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself by diving into all rooms at once. Start with one room and finish it before you move to the next one.
- Once you’ve decided on what room to start with, stick to your list. Go through everything you listed and be sure to throw away things that are broken, outdated, or missing parts.
- Make sure you have the proper organizing tools such as labels, pens, garbage bags, totes, storage bins or containers, etc. This way you won’t have to interrupt your process by stopping to look for the items you need.
- Enlist your family to help! No need to go at this alone! If you have family living with you, assign them a task to help you out. Hey, you’re not the only one who contributed to the mess!
- Take care of yourself. Make sure to bend and lift properly to avoid hurting your knees or back and take any necessary breaks to keep you refreshed. It’s not worth organizing your home if you’re going to be too sick and sore to enjoy it!
Ok, you’ve got your list and you’re ready to get started! Now you’ve got to decide where to start! Check out our blog next week as we give you some tips on getting started with the busiest room in the house first! Can you guess which room that is? Tune in next week and see if you’re right?
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By: Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
Throughout this month we have covered simple tips for spring cleaning your home, including specific checklist for spring cleaning your kitchen and your bathroom. But what about other areas of your home that are a bit more “private”? Do you have a room that you can go to at the end of the day to decompress from all the stressors and issues from the day? Everyone needs a room like this and most people have one even if they don’t realize it. Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary—a place to let go of the day and reenergize. For most people, however, this room becomes a storage space where you probably don’t even want to be! If you would like to reclaim back your sanctuary, we have a checklist to spring clean that bedroom from being a place of burden, to a place where you can let go of the burdens.
- Strip the bed linens and curtains – Toss them in the wash to give them a fresh scent!
- Empty out the closet and drawers – Toss all the clothes and miscellaneous items on the bed or put them in piles on the floor. Inspect all the clothing for tears or missing buttons—not to mention the ones that no longer fit – and put them in a bag to get rid of. Swap any seasonal clothing—taking out what you do need and storing what you don’t. (Make sure to label the container).
- Clean the closet and drawers – With everything removed, you can dust out the drawers and the closet shelves. Don’t forget to clean out corners and vacuum or sweep up the floor.
- Put it all back – Once you’ve cleaned out your bedroom storage areas, put back all the clothing in its proper place. Now is the time to re-organize the closet and drawers by keeping similar clothing together and matching up all shoes.
- Ceilings/Floors/Windows – With everything put back in its space, you can now get the dust rag (or appropriate cleaner) and wipe down the ceiling and the walls. Make sure to get into the corners that are usually missed and can accumulate cobwebs and dust bunnies. Clean all the windows with a spray cleaner and wipe down the window sills.
- Miscellaneous items – Don’t forget to wipe down items that get overlooked with regular cleaning; such as ceiling fans, heating vents, lamps, bulbs, doorknobs, light switches and picture frames that you have around the bedroom—everything collects dust!
- Floor – Once you’ve finished cleaning the room from top to bottom (literally) you can now tackle the floor. Vacuum or sweep up the floor and then work on the deeper stains and dirt. Steam cleaning the carpets is a great way to deep clean and get out stains. If you don’t have carpeting, give the floor a great mopping with possibly a wax finish.
- Finishing touches – Get the bed linens and curtains from the wash and put back together the windows and bed. Add any pillows or other décor to them as you like.
You’re done! You’ve just finished Spring Cleaning your bedroom and now you have your fresh, clean sanctuary! The good news is that you don’t have to do this much of cleaning on a regular basis. Here are a few things you can do daily to ensure your bedroom stays the sanctuary that it should be!
Things to do daily:
- Make the bed everyday—this gives the look of an organized bedroom
- Put all dirty clothes in the hamper and keep them off the floor
- Try to not work or watch TV in this room—this is your space to decompress and let go of the burdens and stressors of your life
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By: Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
So this month we talked about Spring Cleaning in general and we also discussed spring cleaning your Kitchen… but what about your bathroom? When you walk into your bathroom can you see yourself clearly in the mirror? Can you see the original color of the tile in your shower? Do you even remember that color? Can you open your medicine cabinet without items falling out of it? If you answered no to these questions, your bathroom is in need of a good spring cleaning! Don’t get too stressed, however, because we’ve compiled a checklist for you to tackle the dirt, grime and disorganization to make your bathroom sparkle again!
- Take everything out! – The first thing you will want to do is remove everything from the bathroom – from the shower curtain to the soap dish. This way you will have easy access to tackle every crevice of the bathroom.
- Wash the linens – If you have a fabric shower curtain and/or liner, throw it in the washer. You can also do that with the bath mats and hand towels.
- Wash the small items – Take the toothbrush holder, shower organizer and all soap dishes and hand wash them or put them in the dishwasher (if they are dishwasher safe.)
- Shower – Step inside your shower with a spray cleaner of your choice and spray down the entire shower. Depending on the cleaner you may have to let it soak for a while. Then rinse down the entire shower, including the handles and spicket.
- Cabinets/Toiletries – Take everything out of them and put everything out on the countertop so you can go through the items. Go through medications, cosmetics, lotions and hair products and throw out anything with an expired date.
- Appliances – Plug them all in to make sure they still work, anything that doesn’t work – throw it out.
- Countertops/Mirrors – Scrub down completely, getting in every corner of them. Don’t forget to wipe down the faucets and handles of the sink and cabinet doors.
- Toilet – In addition to cleaning the inside with tabs or a toilet bowl cleaner, put on the rubber gloves and scrub down the entire toilet from top to bottom. Make sure to look for rust stains, which can come off with bleach, or for tougher stains – use sand paper.
- Miscellaneous items – Don’t forget about items such as the vents, towel rods, fans, and moldings throughout the bathroom.
- Floor – Sweep and mop the entire floor. You may have to scrub or mop some corners and areas usually covered with items or rugs to get the dirt up.
- Put it back together! – Now that your bathroom is all clean, put all the items back in their place. Hang up the towels on the racks, hang up the shower curtain and liner and empty the trash can.
Spring cleaning the bathroom is not something most of us look forward to doing, thankfully most of the items on the above list you only have to do a few times per year. There are, however, some bathroom chores that should be done daily/weekly. Here is a list of what cleaning should be done daily/weekly to ensure you keep a clean and bacteria-free bathroom!
Things to do daily/weekly:
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Rinse the shower and tub immediately after use
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Clean mirrors with a spray cleaner
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Clean toilets with a toilet bowl cleaner
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By: Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
This month we are Spring Cleaning! If you’re not sure where to start, break up your home by rooms. One room that should be on the top of your list is the kitchen. How many times have you reached in the cabinet for a leftover dish and they all came tumbling down? When is the last time you dusted off the top of your refrigerator or cleaned the inside of your oven? If you’re like most people-never! Here are some kitchen cleaning tips to spruce up and revive this important room in your home.
Dust and wipe off those “Forgotten Areas”- Areas that we tend to not think about include:
- Ceilings/walls
- Doors /doorknobs
- Air vents/switch plates
Big Appliances – It’s probably been awhile since these appliances have been cleaned or wiped down, so take the time to thoroughly clean them.
- Oven – If you have an oven cleaner—use it! If not, put on the rubber gloves and give it a good scrub down—both on the inside and outside. Don’t forget about areas such burners, burner covers and spill catchers.
- Refrigerator - Go through and take out ALL items. Throw out all the expired and almost empty items and put the rest that you will keep on the countertop. Remove all shelves and drawers and wash them down. Wipe out both inside and outside of the refrigerator before putting all items back in.
- Dishwasher - Empty out all dishes and run it empty with vinegar and baking soda to clean it out. Don’t forget to check the food traps and clean those out too!
Small Appliances - These items are most likely being used daily, and probably require a thorough cleaning:
- Microwave – Wipe down inside and outside. Don’t forget about the turntable!
- Toaster/Toaster Oven - Wipe down the outside and wash the tray from the toaster oven.
- Coffeemaker - Wipe down and wash all the small parts. You can also run vinegar through the coffeemaker to give the inside a good, fresh cleaning.
Cabinets - Now’s the chance to clean them out and organize them!
- Take everything out that’s not being used on a regular basis and store them away.
- Remove mismatched lids and bowls and if you can’t find a lid for it, recycle it!
- Wipe down the outside of the cabinets with a cleaner to make them look like new.
Taking the time to spring clean and re-organize your kitchen will keep you from feeling frustrated when you need to find that missing lid for a plastic container or from having to cook or bake using dirty appliances. Although you don’t have to deep clean these items everyday; here are a few things to do daily to keep your kitchen as clean and bacteria-free as possible!
Things to do daily:
- Rinse and wash out the sink
- Rinse off dirty dishes before putting them in the dishwasher
- Wipe down countertops and the stove with anti-bacterial cleaner
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
By: Terry Neff
UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA
Spring is in the air! Most of us are looking forward to the warmer weather, the sun shining and getting outside to enjoy outdoor activities! However, before you start planning all those outdoor activities you may want to take a look at your indoors and do a little spring cleaning first. The idea of spring cleaning is a popular one, but how many of us really do it, and should we even bother? The answer is yes. Spring cleaning is useful for many different reasons. Spring, for a lot of people, is the time of year for a fresh new start. That could mean moving to a new area, starting a new job or even a new hobby. Cleaning out the old to make room for the new helps you to embrace new changes as well as get rid of what you no longer want or need. Cleaning your home after a long cold winter is also important because of all the dust and bacteria that accumulates. Most of us keep our doors and windows closed during the winter, leaving out the sun. This is where bacteria begin and that bacteria can lead to sicknesses and viruses that we all want try to avoid all winter long. Taking the time to move and dust off items can mean a healthier spring and summer where you can enjoy outdoor activities. Here is a Spring Cleaning checklist to get you started on prepping your home for the warmer weather so you can open those windows and let the sunshine in!
Spring Cleaning Checklist
- Make a list of everything you want to have done in your house - organize this list by breaking it up into rooms and list what you’d like to do in each of those rooms.
- Set aside the time to do the cleaning - commit to doing 30 minutes per day or dedicate a whole weekend to get it done—choose one you are more likely to follow.
- Pick one room or area to start with - this way you won’t feel too overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning the whole house and you can feel the accomplishment when that one room or area is complete.
- Go through everything! – Throw out or donate anything that you have not used in the last year and if something is broken – throw it out! Mostly likely you will NOT fix it.
- Label, label, and label - once you decide what you’re keeping, store items in clear containers and label everything! You will be happy you did when you’re looking for a specific item.
- Get everyone involved - get your family involved by creating games for going through items and labeling. Creating competitions between family members can make the tasks fun for all!
- Make your bed every day! – If you don’t already do this, it’s a great way to make your home look and feel fresh every day. A fresh made bed sets a tone for the whole house!
- Be kind to yourself - many of us feel we have to get all the cleaning done right away and if we don’t we punish ourselves for not doing so. Spring is about fresh starts and the first step should be being nicer to yourself. If you don’t get everything done this spring, don’t worry – there’s always next spring to look forward to!
This Spring Cleaning list is a good start to getting your house ready for the new season. In the next few weeks, we’ll help you stick to the list by breaking down the rooms in your house and giving you helpful tips to getting you and your house ready for Spring!
Terry Neff is the owner of UNITS Mobile Storage of Eastern PA. He is an expert on relocation and the ins and out of this tough life change. To contact Terry, call 610-997-8648 or visit www.unitsstorage.com.
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