It’s that time of year. The sun starts to shine and the flowers start to bloom, which means it’s time for spring cleaning in your Eastman, Georgia, home. Unless you’ve been very good at maintaining your home regularly, many people will find that there are a lot of improvements that can be made around the home. Whether or not you look forward to the cleaning and sorting, it’s something that needs to be done. To make spring cleaning more bearable, these seven steps can help you survive it.
Make a List
Before tackling a big project like spring cleaning, make a comprehensive list of everything you want to accomplish. Your list should include cleaning, maintaining your HVAC system, redecorating, and any other high priority items you have in mind. Making a list will help you to stay organized during the process, and there is nothing more rewarding than checking off a project once it’s finished.
Have Your IAQ Tested
The spring season is notorious for aggravating allergies, but it is not just outdoor triggers that can inflame your allergies. Poor IAQ can also cause asthma attacks. It is a good idea to make air quality testing a part of your spring cleaning. If your IAQ is being contaminated, you will need to find ways to improve your IAQ and make that a part of your list for spring cleaning. Dusting and deep cleaning are two ways to improve your IAQ, but your HVAC contractor can offer other solutions as well. Having your IAQ tested is a great way to feel as if you are getting a fresh start and can make you really feel as if you did something great for your home.
Declutter and Donate
If you’re going to do spring cleaning right, you need to focus on decluttering and organizing those spaces you rarely go. Head up to the attic, storage rooms, or the garage and focus on decluttering those areas. It’s easy to throw something out of sight and have it out of mind, but if you never use it, then it’s time to get rid of it. Go through those areas and make piles of things you need, things you can donate, and things that need to go to the dumpster. Decluttering your home can do wonders for your spirit — not to mention the joy you get from blessing others with things you would otherwise waste.
Bring in the Professionals
Spring cleaning is not something you should go at alone. Hire professionals when you can’t do the heavy lifting yourself. Now is the time to bring in your HVAC professional for preventative maintenance on your HVAC system, and someone to clean out your gutters if necessary. Although some of these projects can be handled on your own, you already have enough to do and, for your sanity, you should hire out projects when you can.
Don’t Forget the Outside
Most people tend to focus on the inside when they think of spring cleaning, but there are plenty of things to do outside as well. Clean up your garden, and prepare it to plant flowers or vegetables. Plant shade trees on the side of your home to cut your energy costs this summer. Power wash the outside of your home, and clean the area around your HVAC unit to make sure there are no leftover dirt, debris, leaves, pests, or rodents around your system.
Make it Fun
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a drag. Start by enlisting close friends or family to help with the project. Even if your friends just sit and keep your company while you go through all those boxes, it will make the project go faster. Doing any project as a group is always more fun than tackling the projects by yourself. Play music while you clean, or listen to an audiobook — anything that keeps you entertained will help make the projects feel less cumbersome.
Reward Yourself
Spring cleaning is a big task and one that should be rewarded. Decide on a big reward for the end of the project or mini rewards for when you check each item off your list. Consider throwing a spring fling in your newly clean, organized home. This is also a great time to redecorate your home if that’s something you’ve been wanted to do. Spring cleaning is a necessary evil, but a little more tolerable when you have something to look forward to once you’re done.
Getting your air conditioner ready is an essential part of spring cleaning, and we are here to help. To schedule an appointment for preventative maintenance, call Pruett Air Conditioning at 478-298-4115.
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