| interior design
A CHECKLIST FOR CLEANING
Time management eases the overwhelming burden of spring
cleaning. A huge, daunting job can be much more doable if spread
out over two weeks worth of 30-minute cleaning projects. Set the
mood by creating a task list over coffee, careful to break the jobs
into things that can be done in short periods before or after work,
or during weekend mornings. The last thing you want is to devote
entire weekends of your glorious spring to cleaning. Remember to
delegate specific jobs to other members of the household.
THE SCENT OF SPRING
Even though it might take some planning, don’t underestimate
the power of scent. Think about the cleaning products you plan to
use before cleaning day. Too many powerful, contrasting scents like
bleach, ammonia and heavily-perfumed products will clash with your
personal comfort. Try citrus-scented products such as orange, lemon
or other fruit scents can create a comfortable, fresh feeling. If
a heavier product is needed, consider fragrance-free alternatives.
INVENTORY THE PRODUCTS
Before spring cleaning, inventory your cleaning products
and separate them into bright, colorful buckets with supplies separated
according to the type of task. This way, you’ll know what
you need to get started and you’ll save time in the long run.
RELAX, READ AND CLEAN AT THE SAME TIME
Swing by your local library and select a few thrillers,
romance novels or biographies of books on tape. Pop them into your
stereo, turn up the volume and start cleaning. Time will fly and
your home will radiate comfort and cleanliness.
PACK AWAY! THROW AWAY! GIVE AWAY!
Before beginning spring cleaning, strategically place three
large bins for collecting items. One is for saving. One is for tossing.
One is for donations to charity. This will reduce your excess clutter
and confusion by two-thirds with very little effort.
- John C. Franke
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
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