Right now seems to be very early to think about spring cleaning – that usually starts around the beginning of March – but the recent unseasonably warm (for us in the Midwest) weekend temperatures and the sight of an early aisle of "spring stuff" in the grocery store this afternoon, got my mind moving ahead to warmer weather.

Sure, we'll probably get whomped with another snowstorm or three, but in the meantime we thought we'd think about some spring cleaning tips, indoors and out. That way, if you get that odd warm weekend that we always seem to get in March, maybe you can spend some of it grilling instead of cleaning.

Plan Ahead

Ever start an early spring cleaning project only to find you missing the things you need? Then it’s a mad scramble to run out and get them – if they’re available. It's a good idea to order them now and set them aside, and be ready to go. This applies to all the things you need – deck cleaners, scrubbing brushes, and gloves. Get your garbage liners ready, and if you have something you don't use, it's a great time to get rid of it and make more room for new tools and cleaners.

Start the Groundwork Now

After you clean your entryway with a good neutral rinse to get rid of that salt and slush, clean the floor and lay down extra rugs or mats to encourage people to take their shoes off in homes (or in the office, at least keep more dirt from migrating in). Break out the glass cleaner and give the insides of the windows a good cleaning; that way the job is half done when it gets warm enough to tackle the outside.

Now is a good time for extreme dusting. That dry, winter air really causes dust to attract to everything. Microfiber cloths and dusters get rid of that dust that accumulates. If nothing else you put a huge dent in things when the weather really warms up. Clean the vents, vacuum, and chase at least half of winter out of there.

Right now is also a good time to take a disinfecting wipe to anything you can – spring fever should just be a figure of speech, and not colds or flu!

An Early Easter Bonnet

A carpet cleaner, teamed with a good spotter for stains, can get a lot of winter nastiness out of a high-traffic area. Stale textiles need a good odor neutralizer after months of winter confinement. If it's too cold to open windows where you are, you can fake spring air with a deodorizer. 

Now all you have to do is decide whether to order in dinner, or get some good take-out. You've earned it.

We Fight Dirty!^TM . . . and we do it year-round!