Spending more time inside lately? Noticing some areas in your home that need a little TLC? Now is the perfect time to get out those cleaning supplies and give your home a solid top to bottom spring cleaning.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

Inside:

• Start from the ceiling and work your way down
• Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Wash walls, door casings and baseboards (hint: old toothbrushes are a great way to scrub small edges and tight corners)
• Wash windows, window coverings and wipe down screens (don’t forget window runners)
• Wipe down all electrical plugs, light switches and door knobs
• Clean air vents and covers
• Scrub floors
• Pull out appliances and clean inside, outside, behind and underneath
• Still have energy?  Remove items from closets and cupboards and wash down space (sort items into “keep” and “give away piles”)
• Think you’re done? Get down low and take a look from a child’s perspective (whoa, didn’t see that dirt before!)

Outside (even when isolating, there are things that can be done around your house):

• Clean up after your pet (it’s easier when it’s frozen)
• Shake out entry mats and sweep patios and porches
• Clean out the garage
• Wipe down or power wash siding (weather permitting)
• Clean light fixtures
• Wash windows and doors
• Trim trees, bushes and shrubs (while it’s still cold to prevent diseases)
• Turn on hose bibs when chance for freezing is over and pull out hoses
• Don’t forget to take a look at your gutters (safely!)
• Prepare gardens for planting (buying seeds and starting indoors is a real mood picker upper)
• Wipe down patio furniture (then sit down and soak up some vitamin D)

With the kids home from school, involving them in this spring ritual is a great opportunity to teach some life skills and work together as a family. Have fun and stay healthy!