5 Safety Tips for Your Spring Cleaning

Just as the daffodils and tulips emerge once again from the ground, so too draws near the time for your annual deep home cleaning. Spring cleaning may be hard work, but the satisfaction of a refreshed, tidy home is well worth it. Before you begin, though, it’s important to ensure you take the proper safety precautions, and we’ve put together a list of five top tips to help get you started:

1. Take your time – It can be tempting to try to rush through your spring cleaning, but take the time to fully and safely complete every task. Rather than hurry and risk injuring yourself, take regular breaks, and stretch the cleaning out over a few weekends if necessary.

2. Wear a mask – While you’re busy scrubbing dirt off of your home’s surfaces, don’t forget to keep your airways clean as well. It may seem a bit silly, but wearing a mask while you clean indoors can keep you safe from the dust and fumes common to spring cleaning.

3. Use natural cleaning products – Speaking of fumes, the chemicals in many cleaning products can be very dangerous, even if you do wear a mask. Lightheadedness, dizziness, eye irritation, and skin irritation are just a few of the side effects that can result from these harsh chemicals. Choose products formulated with more natural ingredients, or you can even make your own with common household ingredients like vinegar.

4. Use proper form – Spring cleaning almost always involves moving heavy furniture, lifting boxes, and other physically demanding activities. Make sure you always use proper form to avoid hurting your back or pulling a muscle, and never carry more than you can handle safely.

5. Clean up when you’re done – By the time you’re finished cleaning for the day, chances are good that you’re exhausted, and all you want to do is lie down and relax. But, it’s important to take a few extra minutes to clean up when you’re finished, even if you’ll be going at it again the next day. Not only do buckets, paper towels, and cleaning products present a tripping hazard for you, but they also pose a risk to curious children and pets.

While heeding the tips above may add a few extra minutes to your day, taking the time to follow these precautions can make your spring cleaning time healthier and safer for both you and your loved ones.