Spring Cleaning the Green Way!

Posted on March 24th, 2022

Kalo Mina! Welcome, April! Time to open those windows, let the clean spring breeze through, and rejuvenate your home with some cleaning and decluttering. This is especially important if you are preparing your home for sale. A clean and organized home can make an upcoming move easier and help entice a potential buyer!

Here are my favorite decluttering and environmentally friendly cleaning tips. I hope you find these as helpful as I do!

Cleaning Tips

  • Use pillowcases to dust ceiling fans. Toss the pillowcase over the fan blades and gently pull it off so the dust and dirt remain inside and not all over the floor, or you.
  • Rubber gloves aren’t just for washing dishes.  Put one on and rub your hand over your couch, chairs, anything with upholstery. The friction causes the pet hair or lint to stick due to static electricity.  Then, just wash off with water. It is truly amazing how well this works.
  • Use Lemon, Baking Soda, and Vinegar. Lemons and white vinegar have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Baking soda works as a gentle abrasive and deodorant. By combining these natural and cheap ingredients, you can pretty much clean your entire home.
  • A paste of lemon juice and backing soda is a great abrasive to clean pans, remove grease from the stove top, or clean the bottom of your oven.
  • Combine a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar in a jar to use as a surface and glass cleaner. Add a lemon peel for a fresh scent. Don’t forget to use a reusable microfiber cloth!

Decluttering Tips

Declutter using the “Keep, Toss, Sell, Donate” Method. Sort items using these four concepts. Focus on one small area or room at a time. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when it’s done! Then, move on to the next space.

After the Purge

There are lots of donation locations in the Northern Virginia and surrounding area. Here are some recommendations on how to donate your items: 

  • Blankets & Towels: The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria accepts towels, pillow cases, shoeboxes, plain (non-electric) blankets, and pet supplies that are new or in very good shape for their furry friends.   
  • Children’s Toys: For used items, it’s best to stick to local thrift shops and donation centers.  But, for any brand new items consider the Inova Children’s Hospital. 
  • Clothing (from baby to adult): Homeless shelters are always in need of clothing items of all shapes and sizes. Check this link for some local shelters in need.
  • Home Improvement Items & Appliances: Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts appliances, furniture, antiques, doors, windows, tile and light fixtures. Proceeds from the sales go directly to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.
  • Books. Operation Paperback provides books to deployed military members, wounded warrior programs, veterans’ hospitals located within the USA, and USO centers at US Airports. Libraries are also known to accept all reading levels of books.

If you’re considering buying or selling in the Northern Virginia market, I am ready to get working for you! Contact us anytime to get started at mkjhomes@kw.com, 703.282.2840, or visit www.mkjhomes.com

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Marietta Jemison is the Lead Agent on MKJ Homes LLC Team of KW Metro Center. She is a REALTOR®️, licensed in VA and an Accredited Staging Professional, ASP®. She has over 20 years of sales and client account management, business development and team coaching experience in the retail and legal services industries.

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