How to Clean and Organize Your Apartment as Seasons Change

There is nothing as refreshing as the first day of spring when you can finally open your windows. Unfortunately, the bright spring light can spotlight the accumulated winter dust around your apartment. Check out these few tips to help you clean and organize your apartment after the seasons change. 

And if you’re moving into a new place, even if you leased something after seeing a real estate virtual tour because of the ongoing Coronavirus, these tips can be helpful for you, too!

The Hardest Working Small Space

Of course, we are talking about your closets. The best way to approach a serious cleaning is to take everything out of the closet. Do one closet at a time to prevent a serious case of “I can’t do this.” After you have removed all the contents of the closet look at what will be going back in. Do you need to add a few shelves, another bar for hangers, or a set of wall hooks? 

If a section of the closet has been a battle to keep neat throughout the year consider installing closet hardware from Wayfair or any big box store.

Get It Ready

This is the perfect time to sort through your winter gear. Decide which items have outlived their usefulness and either discard or donate them. Clean the remaining winter clothing and equipment and pack it in covered bins. As the snow begins to fall next winter you will be able to simply open the tubs and be ready to build a snowman. Clothing particularly should be cleaned before storing to prevent dirt or moths from destroying the fabric.

Storage

If you participate in a winter activity that requires a lot of equipment you may find yourself in need of additional storage. Most cities have storage facilities run by national brands like U-Haul or locally-owned storage units. If you use an independent storage location, make sure they have sufficient insurance. Pack your equipment in lidded tubs that you can stack. Find a facility that is close to home to facilitate quick trips. 

Back in the Apartment

After the closets are cleaned and re-organized check other places in your apartment where stuff accumulates. This is called “Horizontal Surface, Magnetic Junk Attraction Syndrome.” Sort through any piles of papers, craft projects, and everyday stuff that has formed dusty piles and organize it all in bamboo, woven or metal boxes to be placed on shelving for easy access. Create a special place for mail and keys close to the front entrance. A small table with a big bowl or a wall-mounted device with hooks and pockets works well.

Appliances

Your refrigerator is one of the hardest working appliances in your apartment and deserves a little care. It may not be a fun job but after you clean the shelves and drawers inside the fridge pull it away from the wall. The first thing you will notice is the gross floor, especially if you have been kicking ice cubes under there for a year. 

Sweep, vacuum, and wash the floor. Vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge. Cleaning the coils helps the refrigerator run more efficiently, which saves money. The dishwasher should be cleaned thoroughly, including the gaskets around the door. The drawer under the oven is next; the amount of dust that settles into these drawers can be amazing.

Deep Cleaning

The last step is deep cleaning. Wipe baseboards and dust corners of walls up to the ceiling and where the walls meet. Move items that are not moved for weekly dusting, clean the surfaces well, and then replace items. Dust tops of doors, door frames, and windowsills. Replace the shower curtain liner if you use one. Wash any curtains that are washable and vacuum heavy drapes or blinds. If you have not washed your box spring and mattress covers for a while, take this opportunity to do it.

Remember, all of these tips can be useful for renters, for investors, for house flippers, and more!

The key to cleaning and organizing your apartment after winter is to allocate a few days to the project so you do not create a lot of stress for yourself. It is an easy task to accomplish, so just start now.