10 Tips for Speedy Spring Cleaning & A Glam D-I-Y

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lysol®, Finish®, Woolite®, and Air Wick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Spring has sprung, and if you are like me, you're ready to open the windows and welcome the warmth of spring into your home. But, wait! What are you going to do about the foggy film on your windows? As the days get longer, the foggy windows will become more noticeable. Now is the ideal time to clean and refresh your living space.

Spring cleaning may not be the most exciting thing on your to do list, but it is important if you want to have a happy, healthy home. And believe me, a little effort will pay off when you can sit back, put your feet up, take a look around the room, and like what you see. 

Since I'm not a huge fan of scrubbing my home top to bottom, I'm sharing a few tips for speedy spring cleaning:

1. Where to Start. The first step is to clear the clutter. Grab a laundry basket or large box and go room to room, picking up anything that does not belong in the room and placing it into the basket. If you don't have the time to put everything from the basket where it belongs, then place it near where you sleep and don't go to bed until everything in the basket is put away.  

2. Set A Timer. Did you ever notice that when you are expecting company you will have the house looking presentable in about 15-20 minutes? My hubby is amazed how quickly I can clean house when I know someone is stopping by. Ready. Set a timer for 15 minutes. GO! If this doesn't work for you, then you need to invite the neighbors over for cocktails next weekend. 

3. Door Knobs and Handles and Switches, Oh My! Use a damp rag and Lysol Disinfectant to wipe down all door knobs, handles and light switches in your home. When used as directed, Lysol Disinfectant Sprays kills 99.9% of the viruses and bacteria your family comes in contact with every day. Don't forget to clean TV remotes and keyboards, too!

4. Your Dishwasher to The Rescue. Items that are dishwasher safe can easily be cleaned in your dishwasher using Finish Dishwashing Detergent. Dusty and cloudy vases and glasses will come out sparkling clean. Note: Be sure to use the gentle/crystal cycle and leave space between each item, or use plastic cups between glasses.

5. Clean vents. Cleaning vents is an important step in spring cleaning. If vents are not clean, dust and dirt can be released into the air every time the heater or air conditioning kicks on. Vacuum air vents and ceiling fans using a brush attachment. If you don't have a vacuum with attachments, take a damp cloth and wipe clean. If you need to get into the crevices of the vent, place a cloth over a butter knife and wipe clean.

6. Clean Windows. If your windows haven't been cleaned since last spring (guilty), mix a bucket of warm water with one tablespoon dishwashing liquid detergent. Use a scrubber sleeve to apply the solution to your windows and remove with a professional Squeegee. For best results, you will want to create a "cutting edge" at the top of the window by removing about 1"-2" strip of solution from the window and work from top to bottom. Wipe the Squeegee clean after every stroke.  

Keep in mind that washing windows does not have to be a daunting task done in one day. Take it one step at a time and clean a pre-set number of windows each day. Depending on the size of your home and windows, you could schedule 15 minutes each day to accomplish this task. 

7. Follow Your Nose. Did you know that our sense of smell is connected to our emotions and perceptions? Our sense of smell can make us feel happy, relaxed, and invigorated or irritable and anxious. Our nose knows when something is perceived to be clean, too. If your home smells clean, the scent freshens your home and enhances all the moments in it. I love using Air Wick Freshmatic Ultra Automatic Spray Refills in my home. It neutralizes odors and fragrances your home without having to think about it. I'm currently using the Virgin Islands scent with Tropical Plumeria & Sweet Honeysuckle and oooh, it smells sooo good!

8. Drab to Fab. Freshen machine washable curtains or sheers on the delicate cycle using cold water and Woolite. Woolite is a gentle laundry detergent specially formulated to gently clean delicate fabrics. After washing, tumble dry with very low or no heat and hang while draperies are damp. The weight will help them hang better than if they are dried completely. Do not hang wet draperies as this could cause mildew. Also, resist the temptation to open windows when draperies are drying as they will attract dust and dirt from outdoors. 

Gold Vase DIY

9. Refresh. Now that everything is clean and the clutter is gone, it's time to update your decor and add sparkle to your room with a super-easy, do-it-yourself project! This DIY is a great way to welcome spring into your home without spending a lot of money. What I absolutely love about this project is that it is fool-proof, too. If you make a mistake, simply peel off the tape and try again. You can also complete this project in under 5 minutes, so it won't eat into your spring cleaning time.  

SUPPLIES

Scissors

Metallic or Sparkle Tape

Vase

Before you get started, be sure your vase is clean.  Decide on the pattern you want to create and cut a piece of tape long enough to wrap around the vase. I held my tape taught and centered the tape in the front of the vase, slowly wrapping it around the back of the vase. I then turned the vase around and snipped excess tape to create a ring. Repeat. You can add as many rings as you desire. If the rings are too close together or too far apart, slowly peel off the tape and start over again. 

Silver Vase DIY

Target has tape in a variety of fun designs and colors. I used sparkling silver above and a gold zebra print below to show you just how easy it is to change up the look of an ordinary vase. And the best part is, the Target vase cost only $2.50! 

Zebra Vase DIY

10. Head to Target! I found all my cleaning supplies AND DIY materials at my local Target. It is my one-stop shopping destination for everything I need to clean and freshen my home for spring! And right now, you can save on spring cleaning products when you use Target's Cartwheel app! Believe me, Target's Cartwheel app is the EASIEST way to SAVE MONEY! You can save 5%-10% off any Air Wick items. Check out the savings on Air Wick's Freshmatic Ultra Automatic Spray Refills HERE! If you buy 3, 5-count Air Wick Scented Oils, you will get a FREE gadget! Your home will smell like paradise! 

Do you have any spring cleaning tips or a quick way to freshen your home decor for spring? Share in the comments below!