Yes, it’s just about that time of year again… it’s time to start planning your annual spring clean. To make the process a success, you should set aside some time for planning. A structured, organised approach will help you to do the best job possible. But a little thought and preparation could actually help you to save or earn money.
There are five ways you can make spring cleaning pay, and they’re all pretty straightforward.
1. Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils
Most homeowners will barely think about the coils at the back of their fridge. However, did you know that by keeping them clean and free from dust you could reduce the running costs associated with your refrigerator by up to 10 percent?
Unplug the refrigerator, and use the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the coils. When all of the surfaces are dust-free, your refrigerator won’t have to work as hard to keep things cold.
2. Clean your air conditioning
If you have air conditioning, it probably won’t be working efficiently if your filter is clogged with dust and debris. In fact, the U.S. Energy Department reckons that an air conditioning unit can use as much as 15 percent more energy if it is clogged with dust. Most filters will need to be replaced, but you can save money by cleaning it if it’s made from foam. A little hot, soapy water and some elbow grease should do the trick.
3. Clean your vacuum cleaner
Yes, that’s right! You should always keep your vacuum cleaner as clean and free from obstructions as possible. If it is clogged with hair, dust and general debris, it just won’t correctly — which means your cleaning sessions will take much longer than they need to. You can cut your electricity usage by ensuring your cleaner always optimum working condition.
Remove the string and hair that often clogs rollers with scissors and a blunt knife. Remove the filters, rinse them under warm water and leave to dry for at least 24 hours. Check that the flow of air isn’t being hindered by any blockages.
4. Don’t spend a fortune on cleaning supplies
You really don’t need to spend a small fortune on cleaning supplies for an effective spring clean. In fact, you might already have some products lying around the house that could act as very effective cleaning agents.
For example, you can make a very effective multipurpose cleaner with a solution of one part baking soda and five parts water. Black tea is good for cleaning wood furniture, and lemon juice can often make a very good descaling agent. Shine silver with toothpaste, and make your aluminium and stainless steel shine with a little olive oil.
5. Sell your junk
A huge part of spring cleaning is the decluttering process that kicks things off. People often don’t realise just how much stuff they have lying around — until they start sifting through it all. Instead of chucking everything in the bin, take it to a local market or car boot sale… it could actually be worth quite a bit.
Or if you’re not bothered about making money from your old stuff, take it to the local charity shop. You could even hold what Americans call a yard or garage sale, which is kind of your very own market at the front of your home.
6. Spring clean other homes
If you have perfected the art of spring cleaning, why not make some serious money by offering your services to friends and family. Who knows, word might get around, and you could start winning new customers through sheer word of mouth. Perfect your routines and methods in your own home, and then simply apply them to others. If you deliver results at a good price, the work should flood in.
Spring cleaning is rarely and enjoyable job, so why not make a few simple changes to your routines to make the process pay?
