As the weather begins to get warmer, many people embrace the season and focus on refreshing their homes. Spring cleaning isn’t just a popular way to create a sense of order and freshness; it’s also a chance to save some money. By using the right spring cleaning hacks, you can reduce your costs or find opportunities to boost your income. Here are some simple spring cleaning hacks that can help you get started.
Make Your Own Cleaners
In many cases, you can reduce the cost of spring cleaning – and cleaning all year round – by making your own cleaners. In many cases, distilled white vinegar and baking soda, used separately or together, can conquer many common household messes. Plus, they cost less than commercial cleaners and don’t involve chemicals.
With vinegar, diluting it with distilled or filtered water is the best option. Simply combine one part vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle and shake to combine. You can also add a drop or two of dish soap, as well as a few drops of essential oil if you want a pleasant scent. Once you do, you have a solid cleaner for a variety of surfaces.
Baking soda is excellent for removing grime since it’s abrasive. You can add a few drops of water to baking soda to create a paste that can get stuck-on dirt off a variety of surfaces. Plus, baking soda deodorizes, which is a bonus.
Replace Your HVAC Filters
Replacing your HVAC filters allows your air conditioner to run more efficiently. As a result, it can save you money by reducing the amount of electricity required to cool your home.
Usually, replacing HVAC filters is simple. Find out your filter size, purchase a replacement, remove the old one, and slide the new one into place. Usually, you aren’t dealing with more than a slide-in process or a few clips, so you can wrap it up in a few minutes.
Clean Refrigerator Coils
Another spring cleaning step that can save you money is cleaning your refrigerator coils. Dirty, dusty coils can reduce energy efficiency. By removing any buildup, your refrigerator can cool your food without using too much electricity.
Usually, the oils are either located on the front near the bottom or on the back. Make sure to unplug your fridge, remove the grill (if one is there), and then use a vacuum with a handheld attachment to tackle the dust.
Declutter Using the Box Method
If you’re decluttering this spring, try the box method to help sort anything you aren’t keeping. You’ll need a box for trash, one for donation, and one for reselling. Then, as you decide that you’d like to get rid of an item, place it in the corresponding box.
By using that process, you’re organizing everything you discard based on what happens to it next. As a result, it’s far simpler to ensure that the items are treated as you intended later, and you won’t have to resort since it’s all organized already.
When you’re deciding between selling and donating, consider how much time you want to commit. Donating is simple, and it can give you a tax write-off if itemizing works in your favor. Selling takes more time, but it can put cash in your pocket. Simply determine whether you want to commit the time needed to handle sales – either directly selling individual items or through a garage sale – and use that to help guide your decision.
Can you think of any other spring cleaning hacks that can help people save money? Have you tried any of the options above and want to tell others about your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
- Spring Cleaning Decisions: Keep It or Throw It Away?
- Ways to Make Money from Spring Cleaning
- 5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Basics
Come back to what you love! Dollardig.com is the most reliable cash back site on the web. Just sign up, click, shop and get full cash back!
Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
Comments