Life Tips Daily

Spring is here and although you might be able to avoid having a big spring cleaning party, your home sure would appreciate it. There are many important areas to spring clean; here are a few that come to mind:

Closets
Check all the closets that hold outer wear, including boots, hats, mittens, and jackets, looking for dirt, holes, broken zippers, missing buttons or significant wear. If the item can be easily returned to its original state by washing it or repairing a button or zipper, do it. If the item is irreparable, toss it. If the item is in good condition, but will not fit, or may not be the desired style or colour for the following year, there is no reason to keep it: consider donating it to a charity or shelter. Make sure all the items that will be kept are stored neatly, in containers that will keep the humidity and moths out. Label all containers clearly. It is probably easier to store all out of season clothing together for the whole family.

By taking the time to clean and ensure that outerwear and winter footwear are in good condition now, you will be prepared for any freak snowstorms that occur.

Windows
How many people wash their window curtains regularly, or dust their window blinds? I sure don’t! Add to that the fact that at my place, mildew builds up quickly and easily in the winter months, and it especially enjoys hanging out around window frames. Tackle the windows by taking down the curtains or blinds, washing or dusting them, then reinstalling them…but not before using some elbow grease to get rid of the mildew (bleach diluted with water and a brush will have your windows clean again) and you get a bonus arm workout too.

Pantry and Fridge
If you take the time to go through both of these storage areas regularly, then you are to be envied. For the rest of us, exploring the contents of the fridge or pantry can be less than pleasant. The fridge, with its tendency to hold perishables, can yield the most interesting growths products. Most people are good at discarding vegetables and fruit that have begun to exhibit furring or a mushy/watery consistency, but how often do you check the due date on that jar of pickled beets, or salad dressing or mustard? Who checks the due dates on dry cereal or cookies regularly (I don’t have to check the dates on the latter since they never last long enough!)? While you’re waiting for the bleach to burn away the mildew, take a trip to the fridge or pantry and toss anything that is being kept beyond its due date. Be sure to make a list of what you are tossing as you toss them; this way you’ll know exactly what you need to replace.

I have heard that you can keep (and eat!) something beyond its due date if it hasn’t been opened. I’m wary of this and tend to imagine that on the due date, items in these expired containers begin their metamorphosis, from a delicious cup of yogurt to a case of gastroenteritis, just waiting to happen.

What spring cleaning activites do you do each year?