5 spring cleaning tips

Spring is known for many things – warmer weather, fresh flowers, longer days – and for many households, cleaning. It’s also the season to declutter, re-organise, mop, polish, sort and vacuum every nook and cranny of your home, which is why it’s The Organised Housewife’s favourite season. “Throwing away unwanted items, donating used clothes and toys and tidying up your living areas is a great way to increase space, decrease anxiety and stress, encourage creativity, boost your mood and welcome the new season in a positive and meaningful way,” says the blog's founder Katrina Springer. “It is an annual reminder that should be celebrated, rather than dreaded.” With three kids and more than half a million followers on her Facebook page, Kat's cleaning "2DO" tips are known for being simple and effective. Here are her top five spring cleaning tips.   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="690"] All you need is a ladder, bucket, sponge, rags and squeegee to wash your windows.[/caption] 1.  Clean windows for a healthy house

Chances are this winter your windows were mostly closed, so it’s a good idea to clean away any dust, dirt and cobwebs that have built up on the window sills, blinds, windows and flyscreens. It’s best to do this before you start opening everything up and all the dirt blows into the house. And don't forget to wear a face mask if you suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions. (Here are a few pro tricks from HomeHub to make your windows sparkle.)

2.  Wash the washing machine

Have you ever washed your washing machine? Sounds funny but it too collects a lot of dust, dirt and grime, therefore needing a regular clean to ensure your clothes are always looking and smelling fresh. You can start by soaking the softener dispenser in warm water to help remove any soap scum. While empty, put the washing machine through a hot temperature full cycle. Add a good splash of vinegar (1 cup) to kill all the bacteria and remove any unpleasant smells. (Popsugar has some great tips on how to clean front loaders.)

3.  Clean behind your fridge

I must admit I never cleaned behind my fridge in my old house, it just didn’t occur to me. When we moved, I was horrified. There was so much dust and dirt build up. From that day, I knew this was one task I would never neglect again.

  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="690"] Using Avery's labels on see-through containers not only helps organise your kitchen cupboards but also makes it easy to do a stock take before you go shopping.[/caption] 4.  Declutter your kitchen cupboards

To encourage healthy eating habits, tidy up the pantry in preparation for the summer months by sorting and labelling similar foods together. I love to use the Avery home labelling range as not only are they functional, but stylish to match the kitchen décor. Also, check expiry dates to reduce food waste. Create a weekly meal plan to use up all the left-over winter foods such as soups, canned food for casseroles, etc.

During winter we use big pots and pans, slow cookers, etc. If you don’t use these in the warmer months store them away so your cupboards are less cluttered and you can reach what you need with ease.

5.  Pack it up or pay it forward

This is the perfect time of year to sort through the kids’ clothes (and yours), pass on the ones that no longer fit, store away winter woolies, and tidy up their cupboards. It’s a good idea to label the clothes you want to put away as this will make it easier to identify if you're handing them down to younger siblings, or pay it forward by donating them to charities like The Smith Family to help people in need.