Before you get started, consider giving your cleaning supplies an overhaul. If you’d like to create a safer, healthier home, tossing the toxins is the first step in doing so. According to the American Lung Association, it's particularly important to avoid air fresheners and choose products that do not contain - or have reduced amounts of - fragrances, irritants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and flammable ingredients.

To make spring cleaning seem less daunting, approaching it by going room by room is the most effective way to achieve a deep clean. To add another level of organization to the task, consider creating cleaning checklists for each room as a guide and to remind you of the areas that need extra attention. We give you permission to skip the areas that have been cleaned recently and focus most of your attention on the areas of each room that were largely neglected over the winter.

Instead of just cleaning, why not clean AND clear clutter at the same time? We believe that part of achieving a home that feels extra fresh is ensuring everything has a purpose and place. To start with decluttering, you’ll want to identify problem areas, understand the reasons for the clutter, determine solutions, and implement them. Sorting your belongings into categories - trash, give away, store, or put away - can also be effective as you go through the spring-cleaning process.

The last step, and one of the most important, is to move the clutter out as soon as possible, whether it’s donating to a charity organization or planning a yard sale - if you don’t move it out as soon as possible, it’s likely to stick around longer than you want. If you find yourself struggling to clear the clutter, we highly suggest checking out The Home Edit, the one-stop shop to get organized. Here at Tandem Arbor, we love things being organized neatly and can’t get enough of The Home Edit’s tips and tricks!

The furniture you purchase for your home is often an investment therefore you should want it to last long and remain in good condition. If that’s the case, regular maintenance and cleaning is a must, especially during your spring cleaning session. As furniture makers, we have a particular bias toward this being a really important step in the process - here’s a deep dive into the best process to make your furniture shine and last longer:

• Clean: Wipe down surfaces, fronts, and legs. Vacuum behind and underneath each piece of furniture. Vacuum hidden crannies of your pieces, all over your upholstered pieces, including under the cushions.
• Maintain: Tighten legs and handles. Spot-treat any stains. Remove pills from fabric. Address any repairs that need to be done.
• Treat: Polish wood furniture, condition leather, or apply any other semi-annual treatments your pieces require.

For specific upholstered furniture materials, here are the cleaning steps to follow:

• Box Weave Linen, Pebble Weave Linen, Basketweave, Crushed Velvet: For linens and velvets, you should spot clean with only water based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Pretest a small, hidden area before proceeding. Do not over wet. Do not use solvents to spot clean. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not recommended. Cushion covers should not be removed and laundered. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Use a professional furniture cleaning service, such as Guardsman, when an overall soiled condition has been reached.
• Vintage Leather, Distressed Leather: Use only recommended leather cleaner and protector products. Totally avoid multi-purpose cleaning products. Before using a cleaning product, try it on a hidden surface. Clean stains as fast as possible; beverage stains could be removed dabbing with blotting paper without rubbing, then pass gently a white wet cloth on the stain, from external to internal side. After drying, polish it with a soft dry cloth. For domestic furniture, fully clean and re-protect your leather furniture at least every six months. For contract furniture, we recommend a regular cleaning and maintenance program as often as necessary.

Many cleaning chores need to be done seasonally, especially in preparation for warmer weather. Since you’re already spring cleaning, it makes sense to incorporate them into the routine to get them out of the way early. For instance, tackle the following:

• Clean the grill
• Wash windows
• Disinfect your knife block
• Clean your dishwasher
• Clean and inspect your fireplace
• Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Prep patio furniture for use
• Clean your washer and dryer

The list goes on. Also, now is a good time to store winter clothing, bedding, decor, and other items and pull out your spring items to give your home a refreshed, seasonal look.