Spring has sprung in Alabama, and you know what that means – it’s time to spring cleaning your home both inside and out! Spring cleaning can be a big task; we recommend focusing on what will help you enjoy your home the most through the spring and summer months. Make sure to write a list and recruit the family to join and ease the burden. In the below paragraphs we are going to cover tips, tricks and must do’s for getting your home ready for spring.

1. Refresh Your Landscaping

A few flowers and some fresh mulch can go a long way in updating the curb appeal of your Alabama home. No matter the size of your landscaping space, you should always start with the basics – weed removal, lawn maintenance, trimming and pruning shrubs, and replanting.

Once you’ve removed the remnants of last year’s landscaping, add some fresh mulch. Not only will the mulch help control weed growth, but it’ll also add some pop and give your landscaping a freshly manicured look. Next, take some time to trim and shape your current shrubs. (Pro-tip: place a garbage bag or tarp under the shrub while trimming to catch the falling leaves and make for an easier cleanup). Last, but not least, add an array of colorful flowers. This can range from potted flowers to handing baskets. If you ask us, you can never have to many flowers!

Home Depot’s 2022 Spring Black Friday Deals run April 21 – May 1 and offers some great deals on getting your yard ready for spring. You can find everything from hanging baskets to topsoil and bags of mulch for unbeatable prices. Learn more about the best Home Depot deals here.

2. Clean-off Your Outdoor Furniture and Porches

After months of hibernation, outdoor furniture and patio areas always need a good spring clean and refresh. We’ve compiled a checklist of items for getting your outdoor entertaining space prepped for Spring. 

1. Give any outdoor furniture a clean as per the instructions for the material used.
2. Throw any removable, washable covers in the washing machine, and brush down any others before using a mild detergent and warm water to spot-clean them. Leave them in the sun to dry.
3. Add a fresh set of summer throw pillows.
4. Pressure wash porches and patios being sure to remove dirt buildup on the floors and spider webs from the ceilings.
5. Pressure wash outdoor furniture to remove winter buildup of dust and dirt.
6. If you have a grill, it's likely accumulated some dirt and dust during the winter, and it's great to have a clean grill ready to roll when it's time to enjoy your first BBQ of the season.

3. Clean and Declutter Inside Your Home

Chances are that once spring weather arrives you don’t want to be inside much dealing with cleaning or decluttering or anything else that isn’t outside. Get the house ready now so that it can be ignored more or less later.

1. Spring is a great time for deep cleaning you may have skipped over in the winter months. Wash the curtains, open the windows, clean behind the appliances, etc.
2. Get rid of anything not serving you or your household. Donate unused items to charity. This applies as easily to clothing as it does to books, toys, serving dishes, and more.
3. Clean out the fridge and pantry. Organize items so that you’re using up the oldest things first.
4. Have the pantry stocked for quick, easy, and nutritious meals for those days when the garden takes up all the available time and cooking is the last thing in the world you want to do. There’s nothing wrong with popcorn for dinner but there needs to be popcorn in the pantry.

4. Swap Dark Winter Tones for Welcoming Spring Colors

To embrace sunshine and florals that come with spring, update your interior décor with cheerful spring colors and leave behind the grey of winter. You don’t have to redo a whole room to accomplish brining some spring tones into your home. Simply, introduce new shades of spring through soft furnishings, such as rugs, cushions, throws, indoor plants and even lamp shades.

Alice Allen, Director of Interior Design at Harris Doyle, says to “Add fresh flowers from your yard to a large vase.  Flowering tree branches make a simple and beautiful statement piece. Refresh your throw pillows and blankets for a linen on gauzy look. Break out the hose and dish soap!  Give your outdoor furniture and cushions a gentle scrub to get the grim from winter months and wash the early spring pollen off."

5. Prep and Declutter Your Wardrobe

Cleaning out closets is often a dreaded chore among most. But, we’ve created a simple three-step checklist to help you stay on track and make getting your closet ready for spring a breeze!

1. Remove any “never going to wear items”. This includes clothing, shoes, belts, bags/purses, and hats. Pro-tip: If you haven’t used or worn an item in over a year, it’s time to say thank you for the joy you’ve given me, and let it go. 
2. Fold heavy items. Heavier items that take up closet space such as sweaters and jeans are sometimes better stored on shelves in your closet.  Store Sweaters up high as the weather warms up to make more space for seasonal items.
3. Give all your accessories a home. Bins and baskets are perfect for keeping accessories organized by category. Plus, they're helpful to add to hard-to-reach shelves, as you just have to grab the whole bin rather than reach around to find a particular item. Use bins and baskets for items such as belts, hats, tights, and off-season clothing. When everything has a place, you'll be more likely to return items to their designated spots and keep your whole closet organized.

Our motto for spring cleaning is, “out with the old, and in with the new.” We hope these steps to prepping your Alabama home for spring will help keep you on track and motivated to tackle these tasks. Cheers, to a new season, clean homes, outdoor entertaining and lots of sunshine.