1. Inspect Your Furniture and Take Notes
As you begin spring cleaning, take a look at your furniture. Are there items that need a touch-up on polish or paint? Are there items you want to keep or get rid of? Has the family sitting chair seen better days? Do you want to reupholster it or invest in a new one? Take a look at your upholstered items like sofas and ottomans. Are there stains? Tears? Make a list so you know what materials you need to make everything as good as new. This way you won't forget everything and if you need to make a trip to your home hardware store -- you won't forget anything.
2. Take a Step Back
Take a step back and look at the room as a whole. Is the layout right? You've probably had the same room layout for a couple of years but maybe there's a different way to approach the room. Is the sofa against the wall? Does it have to be? A new layout will help you feel like you're in a completely new space. Eliminating or updating furniture will help with this. As you figure out what pieces are old or won't work anymore, you'll be able to re-design a space in addition to cleaning.
3. Give Your Furniture Some Love
Day-in and day-out, your furniture sees a lot of use. Whether it's your family-old dining table or your family-friendly sectional, it's good to have your items routinely cleaned (or clean them). Especially upholstered items which attract dust, dirt, and spills over time. Make sure you consult the manufacturer's cleaning directions first so you can read up on the best way to clean it. Test a hidden spot on the furniture first to see how the product mixes with the materials. With upholstered furniture, focus on the smaller spots and blot any spills immediately. If you are using a cleanser, opt for the mildest option possible with a soft brush to work into the fabric's fibers. And don't forget to vacuum it after to absorb all the dirt and chemicals. For leather furniture, use a damp (but not soaking wet) cloth to clean built-up dirt. Always make sure to use a white cloth so you don't deposit any dyes on the furniture. And you'll want to vacuum with the leather furniture as well. For wood furniture, make sure to wipe all dust with a soft damp cloth, cleaning the surface in a circular motion. After cleaning it, you can then oil or wax it, depending on the type of wood and style. And remember, the best way to care for all of your furniture is to try and tackle any stains as soon as they hit. And don't be afraid to call a professional for larger stains.
4. Donate or Throw Away
It can be hard to say goodbye to things. Especially when you have a history with them. But sometimes you have to face the facts: your beloved coffee table has seen better days. And it's not just furniture -- sometimes it's time to get rid of those mail piles that seem to collect over the years. Here's a good rule of thumb: If you haven't needed it for the past year then think about if you'll use it next year. Is it something you really need? Or is it something that could be eliminated to open the space up and make you feel more clutter-free?
Spring cleaning can be an overwhelming time -- so make sure you set aside a weekend or a couple days to it. So you can really get rid of things you no longer use and then clean your home from top to bottom.
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