How to Scrub and Spruce for a Stylish Spring

While it might only be the first of February, I can already sense the end of winter. The days are just a little bit longer; the temperatures are just a little bit higher, and the indoors are starting to feel a lot more oppressive. The time for spring cleaning has begun. Spring cleaning is just an excuse to make sure your home looks beautiful going into the spring. It's a personal choice whether to do a big spring clean or a small one. Big cleans can include making sure all of the floors are perfectly clean. Some people like to use a tile steam cleaner as part of their spring cleaning too, this ensures that any unwanted stains or streaks are removed from your floors. In addition to the flooring, there are a number of other household jobs to do.

For me, the seasonal clean isn't just about dusting off, airing out and getting a window cleaning company in to help clean my house. I mean sure, I do clean when I say it's spring cleaning time. But I prefer to take advantage of my spring cleaning fever to overall a few rooms in my house to usher in new and exciting styles. Here is my spring cleaning and styling itinerary to help you have a smart and spotless spring.

Step 1: The Purge

Before you pick up the dust rag and the disinfectant, it is worthwhile to rid your home of outdated, unwanted, unused stuff. From your closets to your garage, you surely have carloads of items you no longer need, and the springtime offers the perfect opportunity to purge.

Anything broken or worn-out should go straight into the garbage, but most of the items you sort out can probably be sold or donated to a good cause. There are charities that specialize in nearly any type of item around your home. For example, the Game Changer and Sports Gift take old games and sporting equipment and redistribute them to needy kids around the world. For an even bigger donation (and resulting tax deduction) you can give away your old car or boat to Boat Angel, which sells it, contributing the profits to any number of worthy organizations.

Once your home is free of its unnecessary clutter, your next task will be easier.

Step 2: The Purification

When you begin the cleaning step of spring cleaning, it is crucial to remember the details. As long as you have your rubber gloves on, you should make sure every nook and cranny of your home gets scrubbed. Easy spots to ignore are:

• Dusty baseboards

• Greasy stove hoods

• Gritty keyboards

• Grimy remote controls

• Clogged air filters

• Stained mattresses

Step 2: The Purification

When you begin the cleaning step of spring cleaning, it is crucial to remember the details. As long as you have your rubber gloves on, you should make sure every nook and cranny of your home gets scrubbed. Easy spots to ignore are:

• Dusty baseboards

• Greasy stove hoods

• Gritty keyboards

• Grimy remote controls

• Clogged air filters

• Stained mattresses

However, not knowing how to clean usually isn't the hardest part of the spring season; instead, it is motivating yourself to clean. If you keep procrastinating on purification, here are some ways to get off the couch and get cleaning:

• Open the windows. The light and fresh air often put a stuffy, dirty house into perspective, inspiring you to spruce.
• Play music. I prefer pop and dance music, but anything that gets you on your feet and moving will work.
• Use a timer. You might be surprised just how much you can get done in 30 minutes, especially when you are racing the clock.
• Start small. Your kitchen table is like a magnet for clutter, and just dealing with that mess can get you started on a cleaning rampage.

These tips can also be applied to your office or workplace so do not be afraid to give them a go at work too. 

Step 3: The System

Now that your house is sparkling clean and free of unnecessary junk, you can devote some time and effort toward organizing the junk you decided to keep. There are plenty of spaces in your home that would benefit from some structure, like your garage, your closets, and your kitchen cupboards. Fortunately, establishing a system is both beautiful and cheap ? which is perfect for spring.

For example, in your bedroom, you can wrangle all the jewelry, loose coins, keys, and more that accumulate on your dresser by visiting your local thrift shop and purchasing a stylish catch-all, which in a previous life might have been an serving plate or something similar.

Inside your dresser, you can keep all your different socks separate with cardboard drawer dividers, to ensure you never go running in your best pair of dress socks. Finally, next to your vanity, you can install wall-mounted magazine racks to keep your makeup brushes while they dry ? and perhaps stash some magazines to read while you wait for your partner to finish getting ready.

Developing a few organization solutions for other common clutter problems in your home takes some creativity, but you will love the results.

Step 4: The Style

The changing of the season doesn't warrant a knock-down, drag-out renovation of your home, but changing a few pieces of décor to reflect the colorful warmth of spring is entirely appropriate ? especially after you spend long hours scourging your home of dirt and litter. This spring, the following touches are totally on-trend:

• Big florals, especially in artwork, rugs, and pillows.
• Gold, soft pink, and powder blue, as accents throughout the home.
• Texture, using natural fibers, faux furs, and other contrasting feels.
• Innovative tradition, meaning classical design with contemporary twists.