I love cleaning, said no one ever. Except when spring rolls around, you have no excuses. Everyone and their grandmothers are doing it.
And if you think about it (or look around you), you'd agree your home needs it after winter—especially as a pet parent! But where to begin? From pre-spring cleaning to taking action, here's your road map to success.
Prep your game plan: "Every battle is won before it is fought."
That's our no-pressure way of saying you need a strategy. Because without it, spring cleaning can be daunting. Also, "Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory," said Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War. (Don't know about you, but it seems fitting given our topic. 😉) So, what does a good plan of attack include?
#1: Goals
What do you want to achieve? For example:
- General cleaning of your whole property, including yard, shed, and garage
- Deep cleaning, but for the most frequently used rooms only
- A little bit of both
#2: Checklist
Make your to-do list. If you're feeling extra gung-ho, you'll have a room-by-room breakdown of spaces and things that need attention. Don't forget your fur baby’s belongings! (They're some of the germiest items at home. 😬)
#3: Schedule
Rome wasn't built in a day, and we're willing to wager you can't complete your spring cleaning in 16 hours. Break your workload down into manageable chunks. It can take several days, weekends, or even several weeks. Whatever works!
Get your gear in order: "Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
The last thing you want is to roll up your sleeves, ready to get down and dirty with your baseboards, only to discover you're—wait for it—out of cleaning products! 😑 Happens to the best of us, but it seriously kills your mojo. The motivation you just had? Gone.
Before you start spring cleaning:
#1: Check your supplies
Got enough, or running low? Play it safe by stocking up on a 2L bottle of Healthy Habitat PLUS™. You get 40L of our dependable 3-in-1, all-purpose cleaner for most household surfaces. (That’s enough to get you through your spring cleaning—and then some!) Also, have refills of every pet parent's favourite laundry liquid ready for the mountains of washing.
#2: Clean your tools
Want to skip this step? You'll end up moving dirt, debris, and microbes around from one place to another. That defeats the purpose of spring cleaning. So, empty garbage bins and vacuum bags. Change filters. Sanitize microfibre cloths, mop heads, and even your broom.
If you haven't yet, take our multipurpose rubber broom for a spin. It's sleek, ultra-lightweight, and so versatile you could use it anywhere and everywhere, year-round!
It's Go-Time: "In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack—the direct and the indirect."
With your prep work done (and nothing holding you back), it's time for battle.
#1: Declutter
Spring cleaning begins with getting rid of junk and clutter. Some items can be tossed; others (in good condition) can be donated. This includes:
- Outgrown clothing and those that haven't seen the light of day in eons 😜
- Obsolete electronics/appliances
- Old or broken toys, decorative items, tableware
- Expired foods, medicines, and personal care products
- Ancient newspapers, magazines, and documents for recycling or shredding
Tip: Our homes are full of pet hazards and toxins, so please discard/store items appropriately.
#2: Organise
Out of sight, out of mind? Doesn't apply to spring cleaning! 😄
- Use this opportunity to tidy up storage like your pantry, closets, and bookshelves.
- Rearrange cabinets, shelves, desks, drawers, and your dressing table.
- Shine your shoes; sort out your shoe rack.
- Launder, vacuum-seal, then store away winter woollies and linens.
- Put pet toys, walking gear, and other accessories in designated spaces.
Tip: Before you put things back into their rightful place, give cupboards and storage bins a good wipe-down.
#3: Clean
Floors to artificial turf, dog litter/cat litter to pet goodies, carpets to curtains, fixtures to high-touch surfaces, walls to windows—there's lots of ground to cover. And that's not all! As pet parents, your work isn't done until you eliminate urine stains and odours, banish pet hairs, and disinfect every corner of the home.
Tip: View PetLab’s Bundle & Save page for deals on made-in-Australia, pet-friendly cleaning kits.
Did you enjoy all the Sun Tzu references? 😁✌️
As it turns out, he had another pearl of wisdom: "Plan for what is difficult while it is easy; do what is great while it is small." This applies to housekeeping in general. Get a little done daily so you have less to do come spring!
