After spending months in a closed environment you’re probably anxious to open things up and do some serious cleaning. While this annual spring ritual is a great way to air out and clean up your home, buying a bunch of cleaning supplies and products can really add up. In addition, the thought of cleaning your home using products that include harsh chemicals may not seem so appealing. Well, don’t let these things stop you from cleaning and refreshing your home. The cleaning pros at Molly Maid® have some great spring cleaning ideas that will help you save money and reduce your spring cleaning stress.
Tips and Tricks for Cleaning on a Budget this Spring
A great technique for spring cleaning on a budget is using items that you already have lying around the house. These items and ingredients offer perfect cleaning solutions and tools for people looking to save some money on cleaning supplies.
Don’t Buy Additional New Cleaning Supplies! These Work Great For Budget Cleaning
There’s no need to get fancy when the following at-home cleaning products are available and effective:
- White vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Dish soap
- Toothbrush
- Baking soda
- Lemons
DIY House Cleaners
Using a combination of the ingredients above (note: never mix household cleaners), you can easily put together an eco-friendly, budget-friendly cleaning arsenal that works great!. Here are some instructions for putting these powerful DIY cleaning products and remedies to work for you:
Disinfectants
- Beach (do not mix with other cleaners)
- Dish soap
- Hot water
Carpet Cleaner
If you’re dealing with a musty smelling carpet and want to deodorize it, do the following:
- Sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet.
- Let it sit for at least an hour, then vacuum it up.
Tub and Tile Cleaner
Dealing with a build up of soap scum and grime in the bathroom? Combine the following for an effective tub, tile, and shower cleaner:
- 1 1/2 cups of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil-based liquid soap
- 1/2 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
Drain Cleaner
- Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain.
- Follow this with 1 cup of vinegar.
- Let it sit and bubble for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the drain with hot or boiling water.
Natural Floor Cleaner
Looking for an effective floor cleaner that is inexpensive and does a great job? Combine the following ingredients:
- 1 gallon of hot water
- 1 cup of rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
- 10 drops of essential oil of choice
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
Create a Home Cleaning Checklist
Once you have made your natural cleaning products using household items , it is time to make a spring cleaning checklist. Here is an example of a cleaning list that will have your home sparkling clean and ready for royalty.
- Clean fabric furniture and rugs (baking soda and rags).
- Clean blinds (vacuum and damp microfiber cloth).
- Wash windows with vinegar, water, and a squeegee.
- Wipe walls and baseboards with a microfiber cloth.
- Clean ceiling fans (pillowcase to collect dust then a damp rag at the end of a mop or a duster).
- Wash windows and screens (mix vinegar and water to clean windows).
- Clean and seal grout (1:1 baking soda and hydrogen peroxide).
- Clean the dishwasher by placing a bowl of vinegar on the top rack and run it through a cycle. Add a pinch of baking soda to the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb odors.
- Clean the microwave by squeezing lemon into a bowl of water and microwave on high for five minutes. Wipe down the inside to finish.
- Remove all food from the refrigerator and freezer and toss out any old or expired items.
- Spray your homemade cleaning solution onto a rag, then wipe down each shelf and bin in the refrigerator and freezer.
- Polish wood with a combination of one cup of olive oil and a 1/4 cup of white vinegar.
- Clean shelves, cabinets, and drawers by vacuuming and then wiping them down with a damp cloth.
- Flip mattresses and lightly spray with lavender (which helps promote sleep) and deep clean sheets.
- Change air filters throughout the house to improve the indoor air quality.
Upcycling Household Items
Spring is also a great time to purge old and little used items. But before you start throwing everything away, think about how you can upcycle some household items into the perfect cleaning tool!
- Use old pillowcases to clean ceiling fan blades.
- Store cleaning supplies in a closet using an old shower tension rod.
- Cut up old clothes into cleaning cloths.
- Use an old toothbrush for grout cleaning and removing laundry stains.
- Take those old socks and use them to clean your blinds.
- Baby oil makes a great cleaner for stainless steel, and it costs virtually nothing compared to stainless steel cleaner sprays.
- Used dryer sheets are great for wiping off dusty furniture around the house. It also makes your house smell good. These sheets are also great to use on baseboards and blinds. Their anti-static qualities repel dust and pet hair.
- Use microfiber dusting cloths, which are fairly inexpensive. They require less cleaning solution to get the job done, so you’ll get more cleaning out of your supplies. Plus, they do a superior job trapping dust and dirt!
Call Molly Maid for a Spring Cleaning Today
Now that you have our budget cleaning ideas, you can roll up your sleeves and get your spring cleaning checklist completed. If you need help, the pros at your local Molly Maid are ready to pitch in.
When it comes to cleaning, the trusted and reliable professionals at your Molly Maid know how to make your home shine from top to bottom. We’ll put together a cleaning plan that meets both your needs and schedule. So, whether you need weekly cleaning, occasional cleaning, or would like to give a cleaning gift certificate we’re here to help get the job done right—that’s our promise! Take the worry out of keeping your home clean and check spring cleaning off your to-do list. Call us or request an estimate online today.
