Spring came early to Minnesota this year so it stands to reason that Spring Cleaning should come a bit early this year too. I do a big clean every spring (move the furniture and clean all the dust demons from out of the darkness). But before cleaning can begin, we need to stash and store all the winter gear. I’ve compiled some tips for you to make sure your spring clean-up run a little smoother this year.
Spring Cleaning Blankets and Quilts
It’s time to pack up the winter quilts and blankets and pull out the lighter weight blankets and bedspreads. If you haven’t yet give all the blankets a good laundering before you tuck them away.
I take all my quilts to the local laundromat. For less than $20 I can use their super extra large washer and drier and wash all the sweat, dead skin cells and dust off before storing them.
Store blankets them on a shelf in your closet where they can get air circulations. If you’re like me and your closets are not very large, consider investing in some storage bins—whether clear or opaque—to keep them tucked away in the attic, or basement. This will keep them from becoming dust, musty or worse moldy while being stored until it’s time to bundle up again. You could also consider storing them in the space under your bed (that’s what I’m doing this year). It’s an untapped piece of real-estate in my house so I’m getting these under the bed storage bags.
Spring Cleaning Boots and Blades
I can’t tell you how happy I am when I don’t have to trip over the clunky winter boots and ice-skates littering my entryway. I don’t have a huge home so my entry space is always a fight to keep organized. These get moved to a spare room closet where there’s a shoe rack waiting to house them. I love this one from Amazon because it’s sturdy and fits the length of my closet. More than enough room for boots and the other shoes we don’t wear all the time.
But before you stash those boots away, it’s a good idea to give them a little TLC. Give them a thorough cleaning to remove any salt, dirt, and grime accumulated during the winter months. Don’t forget to vacuum or launder the inserts. I know it sounds weird but there’s nothing worse than putting your foot in a boot next season and there’s rocks in the toe (not that that’s happened to me more than once). Check them for any signs of wear or damage, like worn-out soles or loose seams. Since boots are usually on sale at this time of year, it might be the good time to replace any worn-out pairs or at least plan for a new pair next season.
Spring Cleaning Winter Coats
First empty the pockets. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled a coat out for the season and found money in the pockets or that extra set of car keys. Once that’s done, give them a once-over and determine if they need any repairs or replacements. Give them a good cleaning to remove any dirt or stains. I have a great tutorial on getting dirt off those slick poly coats that don’t come clean no matter how many times you wash them. Read that post HERE.
Check for any signs of wear and tear. If a coat is beyond repair or simply looking a bit worse for wear, consider taking advantage of end-of-season sales to snag a new one at a bargain price or again you can at least plan to get a new one before the snow fly’s next season.
Outdoor Equipment
Don’t forget to clean and store your snowblower properly to ensure it’s ready to go when the next snowstorm hits. Drain the fuel or add a stabilizer to prevent it from going bad over the summer months. If it’s been giving you any troubles over the winter months then take it to your local small engine repair shop. If you’re not in a rush to get it back you could get a better deal on repairs than waiting for the first big snowfall and then bringing in.
While you’re winterizing your snowblower don’t forget to give your snow shovels, a good cleaning and if they’re metal oil them to prevent rusting in storage.
Pick up some 5 gallon pales to store your salt, and sand. These pails below from Amazon they have a locking lid to keep everything dry. While you’re picking some up grab one for your bird seed this year to keep the critters out.
Now is the perfect time to clean out your car’s winter survival kit (if you don’t have one you should). Remove any batteries from flashlights, or radios before you pack them away. Gather up your ice scrapers and store them by hanging them on a hook on the wall in the garage like the one below. It makes them easier to find when you need them next season.
Ready to welcome spring with a clutter-free home? If you found these tips helpful, don’t keep them to yourself—spread the spring-cleaning love! 
Share this post on your favorite social media platform so your friends and family can get their homes ready for the sunny season too. Let’s all say goodbye to winter and hello to fresh starts together! 
