8 Budget-Friendly Spring-Cleaning Tips

Spring cleaning season is upon us! Does that excite you or fill you with dread? Maybe a mix of both?

Either way, we’ve got some budget-friendly ideas and tips for getting your spring cleaning done so you can have a fresh and organized home.

1. Declutter your space

This is my favorite spring-cleaning tip: it costs zero dollars to put things away and get rid of stuff you no longer use. Sometimes decluttering alone makes your home feel fresh again.

This spring, make an effort to organize the garage, spare bedroom, medicine cabinet, or junk drawer that’s been neglected for too long. Even that chair- or treadmill-turned-clothes hamper. Wherever clutter gathers, now is the season to tackle it.

2. Organize the clutter

If you have any spare cardboard boxes, laundry baskets, or reusable shopping bags, their moment has arrived! Set up these containers to use for sorting items into “Keep/Put Away,” “Sell/Donate,” or “Toss” categories.

As you go through items, use the Five-Second Rule – if you can’t think of the last time you used an item within five seconds, it goes into a “Sell/Donate” or “Toss” container! But be realistic about your “Sell” pile since it takes time and effort to create online listings or hold a garage sale. If you know you don’t have time to sell anything, donate them instead.

Be sure to dispose of whatever goes into the “Toss” pile responsibly, especially if you’re dealing with electronics. Look online if you have questions about getting rid of something.

3. Clean room by room

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to happen in a single day, or even in one weekend. Your to-do list might be overwhelming, so have a spring-cleaning month!

It helps to break down spring cleaning into mini projects. You might want to create checklists for each room in your house, or even divide large rooms into manageable zones.

For example, your kitchen checklist might look like this:

• Remove everything from the counters and wipe them down.
• Clean the microwave.
• Move the stove and fridge; sweep and mop behind them.
• Clean the exterior of all appliances.
• Clean out the fridge and toss any expired foods.
• Take inventory of your pantry and cupboards and throw away expired items.

Estimate the time it takes to complete each item and create a schedule for getting them done. Be creative.

If you work from home, you can quickly check off tasks like cleaning the microwave, changing the sheets, or wiping down the mirrors during a short break from your computer. Save longer tasks like moving and cleaning under appliances for weekends. Just don’t overschedule too many tasks at once, otherwise you might get burned out and give up.

4. Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies

Cleaning supplies can contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to people, pets, and the environment. It’s important to have a clean home, but it’s equally important to have a safe one. Eco-friendly cleaners contain natural biodegradable ingredients, are less likely to cause allergic reactions, and reduce chemical pollution.

Luckily, many eco-friendly cleaning products are budget friendly. You just have to know where to shop and what products to look for. I did a Google search on “best eco-friendly cleaning products,” wrote down brands within my budget, and noted which retailers carried them. I found two of the name-brand cleaning sprays at our favorite chain grocery store, and I especially love the tea-tree scented bathroom cleaner!

DIY cleaning supplies

Go a step further and make your own cleaning supplies from common household items like dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and rubbing alcohol. You can even use fresh herbs or essential oils if you have them.

Search for cleaning supply recipes online to find ones with ingredients you already have at home. Reusable microfiber cloths are great if you’re trying to be more Earth-friendly, but an old towel cut into washcloth-sized squares works just as well!

5. Prioritize deep cleaning and maintenance

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to deep clean your home. This is when you might want to clean any carpets and curtains where dirt and dust build up. Take down all the curtains (consider wearing a dust mask) and give them a good shake outside. You can then wash them according to the instructions on the tags. If in doubt, hand-wash them and let them air dry.

For carpets, vacuum well with a brush attachment and, if it’s in your budget, rent a steam cleaner or carpet cleaner. Ideally, you should be maintaining your curtains and carpets year-round to reduce allergens, eliminate odors, and improve your indoor air quality. As we all know, replacing carpet is expensive, so why not extend its life with frequent maintenance?

6. Try these time-efficient cleaning hacks

Need ideas for getting things done quickly? Here’s one of my favorites: you can use your dishwasher to clean items other than. . . well, dishes.

In fact, you can throw a variety of items in the dishwasher, including:

• Flipflops
• Makeup brushes
• Bath sponges
• Bathroom cups, soap dishes, and toothbrush holders
• Shower caddies
• Fridge shelves and drawers
• Microwave turntables
• Silicone oven mitts or potholders
• Washing machine detergent drawers
• Light fixtures
• Candle holders
• Small trash cans
• Pet collars and leashes

Combining tasks or using items in unexpected ways can help you finish your to-do list much faster. For example, you might clean a room’s baseboards while mopping the floors. Or use a stiff paintbrush to dust baseboards and windowsills.

One of my go-to tricks is to pick a highly visible area, set a timer, and speed clean. Working to get as much done before the timer goes off is a challenge, and the quick gratification can keep me motivated to finish bigger tasks.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, enlist help! Divide tasks among friends and family and conquer spring cleaning in no time.

7. Upcycle and repurpose

Social media is my go-to inspiration for clever repurposing ideas. I’ve used bookshelves to store dinnerware, shoes, toiletries, and towels. Old baskets can hold magazines, dishtowels, napkins, and (lots of) dog toys.

My art paintbrushes and scissors sit in an old floral arrangement container. I’ve stored my small kitchen tools in a flower pot on my windowsill. I even gave a colorful flannel sheet new life in the form of table napkins.

All it takes to upcycle and repurpose is a little creativity!

8. Refresh your home for free

At least once a year, I rearrange my furniture for a zero-dollar way to freshen up the look and create new ways to use space. Try it! You might be surprised at how much you love your “new” room!

Kick off your spring with a fresh, clean space

There’s something undeniably rewarding about cleaning and organizing our living spaces. Many of us feel overwhelmed by any physical clutter and chaos, so taking the time to spring clean can provide a much-needed mental boost after the long winter months.

Do you have a spring-cleaning hack we didn’t mention? Share it with us on social media! And don’t forget to check out our other Home and Family Money Tips for more great tricks and financial advice.