The Case Against Spring Cleaning

They say March comes in like a lamb and out like a lion. Those springtime breezes bring in more than just the blooming crocuses; they blow in countless reminders that it’s time for spring cleaning.

If spring cleaning is your thing, go for it! But if you never quite get that urge to scrub your home from top to bottom in one go, you can take solace in this article: A case against spring cleaning.

Historically, spring cleaning was a necessary response to being literally shut in for the winter. Coal and wood burning furnaces sprayed soot and ash all over your home, making a thorough scrub-down imperative once the weather warmed up. Today’s forced air furnaces and better filtration systems all but eliminate the winter build-up.

So without the soot to contend with, is spring cleaning still necessary? The answer is probably no. Which is fortunate, since goodness knows that with today’s busy lives, most of us would probably never find the time.  Instead of setting aside two weeks out of our schedules to spring clean, what we we really need to do is:

(1) Devise (and stick to) a good, regular cleaning schedule, and

(2) Create a plan for tackling the heavy-duty house cleaning tasks

If you are feeling overwhelmed about the cleaning schedule, check out last month’s newsletter, in which we covered the basics of Speed Cleaning. Once you realize that your basic weekly housecleaning can take half the amount of time — or less — than you currently spend, it suddenly won’t seem so overwhelming.

Next up is creating a plan for the heavy-duty tasks. With regular cleaning, many of these tasks will be eliminated, or at the very least minimized. There are still some jobs, though, that need to be tackled more often than, say, never!

But instead of saving up all these jobs for the spring, we suggest tackling them on a semi-annual basis, as they require attention. You can accomplish this in one of two ways. Those of you who thrive on formal routines can set up a semi-annual schedule, in which you integrate the seasonal chores into your weekly cleaning routine.

Those free-spirits out there, however, might find this formal plan a little too restrictive (and besides, you probably don’t have a weekly cleaning routine to begin with.) If sticking to a schedule makes you sick, just remember this simple mantra: Do it when it needs doing.

If your windows are caked with dirt, it’s (probably past) time to clean them. If your air conditioner is not cooling as fast as it used to, it’s time to clean the filters. Some chores may lag a bit this way, but rest assured: With a little mindful attention to your home, they will all get done. Even without sacrificing two weeks of your springtime.

To help you get on track, whichever plan of attack you choose, here is a look at the Clean Team’s top ten recommendations for do them when necessary cleaning chores. For a more detailed explanation of these chores, be sure to check out Jeff’s book, Spring Cleaning. (Just don’t be confused by the title; we figured it was catchier than “The Heavy-Duty Seasonal Tasks That Can Be Accomplished Simply By Doing Them When They Need Doing.”)

The Clean Team’s Top Ten List of Essential Seasonal Chores

The  tulips are budding and the birds are singing . That can only indicate one thing: It’s Spring. And time for spring cleaning! The ideal source for understanding how get your house prepared for spring is the Clean Team’s best seller, Spring Cleaning. But for the  abridged version, here are the 8 crucial tasks to take you from dark and dusty to sparkly and new this spring.

1. Clean and/or replace filters If your furnace filters aren’t removing dust due to the fact they are dirty and old, guess where all that dust is going: Right back into your home. When you are busy changing your filter, make sure you fully dust and vacuum in and around your  heater . Our versatile microfiber duster and ostrich feather dusters are perfect tools to make dusting a cinch – just swipe the area and the microfiber grabs the dust.
2. Scrub your windows – and window treatments – Now that the sun is shining more brightly, it’s a lot more challenging to ignore the dirt, rain, snow and fingerprints that have wreaked havoc on our window pains all winter long. Make your window cleaning job less difficult by investing in the appropriate tools, including our cotton cleaning cloths for a streak-free, lint-free finish .
3. Clean your walls and ceilings – This is a huge job, but it’s a lot less complicated and less costly than repainting! Save yourself time and steps by working from the ceiling down, first vacuuming with the brush attachment on your vacuum. Avoid streaking by drying the walls as you go with lint-free cleaning cloths. If your walls feature wood paneling, you will appreciate washing them with our Sh-mop – that long telescoping handle makes reaching to the ceiling  easy . Don’t forget to  clean your light switches and outlet covers. These seem to be magnets for grime – and germs.
4. Move it, move it – the furniture that is! You don’t  have to move the  sofa , dresser and dining room table every time you clean the floors, but once or twice a year is a definite must. Bear in mind, this is deep cleaning. The Sh-mop is excellent for tackling tile, ceramic and wood or laminate surfaces. (When using your Sh-mop on wood floors, bear in mind the sh-wipe should be just barely wet.) Now is also a excellent time to contemplate having your carpets professionally cleaned – or leasing a steam cleaner and doing it yourself. If you have wood floors, you may want to consider having them resealed this spring.
5. Vacuum and flip your mattresses – Once you  are finished  with your floors, it’s time to carry your vacuum into the bedrooms and power clean those mattresses. Suck up any dust – and dust mites – to help avoid allergies and lengthen the life of your mattress. Unless you have a new no-flip mattress, this is also an ideal time to flip and turn your mattress. Do it twice a year, with the clock change, so you don’t have to ponder when you last did it.
6. Wipe down the inside of kitchen cupboards and drawers – It’s remarkable how much dust and food debris can  end up within those cupboards and drawers – after all, we are (theoretically, at least) storing clean dishes and silverware in them! Even so, spring is a great season for removing everything and thoroughly wiping down the areas. Don’t forget your cabinet faces and hardware. If you can find a friend to aid you to clear away the things while you quickly spray, wipe and dry the cabinets, you will be finished before you know it! If you’re working by yourself, strap on one of our cleaning aprons – that way all your instruments will be right where you need to have them. No more wasting time climbing up and down the step ladder to get more cleaning spray, paper towel or sponges!
7. Deep clean the  freezer – If you have a manual defrost freezer, this is the excellent time to unplug it and let that ice melt away. Once it’s completely defrosted, clean out any crumbs and scrub any food-born spots before returning the contents. You may also want to set in a little dish of baking soda to soak up any lingering odors.
8. Refresh the Refrigerator –  Once you  are done with your freezer, it’s time to tackle the fridge. Take anything out,  throw away  bad or questionable items, and wash all shelves and drawers with lukewarm, soapy water. While you’re at it, don’t forget to scrub your refrigerator, too. By eradicating that dust and debris, you are prolonging the life of your fridge and saving yourself some  dough . A clean coil signifies a more effective refrigerator – certainly a bonus. Once these eight tasks are accomplished, it’s time to pour yourself a tall glass of water and take pleasure in some of that sunshine! Happy Spring!

Speed Cleaning For The Pros is training for the OWNER of a residential cleaning business, not the employees! You can’t train your staff in speed and efficiency until you master the thinking skills of how Speed Cleaning will impact your bottom line. This 10-disc DVD set was taped in front of a live audience during a two-day conference hosted by Cleaning Business Expert Debbie Sardone & author Jeff Campbell. Together they introduce Perfect Maintenance Cleaning (PMC), Pay For Performance, Attracting Career Cleaners, and more.

This DVD set describes exactly what your company should be offering when you do your weekly or bi-weekly house cleanings. Then there are the steps involved in training your customers, your workers and yourself on what Perfect Maintenance Cleaning is and how to deliver it perfectly! This set also includes how to conduct your in-home estimates; so one DVD is devoted to that subject. Finally it’s also about how to pay your workers so that they are rewarded for their work while guaranteeing that you also make a living.

Plus you’ll receive the original Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell DVD which is perfect for training your staff.

In 1979, Jeff Campbell came to a crossroads in his life. He felt it was time to leave the sheltered life of a corporate executive and strike out into a business of his own. After researching options, Jeff decided that he wanted to create San Francisco’s finest housecleaning service and besides, he couldn’t afford a Bed and Breakfast on Maui.

After several years of serious application and analysis, the Speed Cleaning system emerged. Jeff and his staff didn’t know it at the time, but they had fundamentally changed the art and science of housecleaning. What began as the official Clean Team Training Manual eventually became a book called, naturally enough, Speed Cleaning. In it, Jeff revealed the step-by-step process of Speed Cleaning along with the products The Clean Team had chosen as most effective and most user and environmentally friendly. The book caught the imagination of people everywhere and became a best seller.

So excited to check out the November 2011 edition of Women’s Day Magazine where our world-famous Speed Cleaning apron is the star of the show on page 24.  I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened to the section on Speed Cleaning your home and there, front and center, big as life, was the Speed Cleaning apron, created and perfected by Jeff Campbell more than 25 years ago, and still one of the most popular items on our Clean Team Catalog website!

Anyone who wants to clean a home in half the time should own the Speed Cleaning apron.  It’s not optional.  It’s not just a good idea or a novelty.  The Speed Cleaning apron is the key to the entire Speed Cleaning system.  And make no mistake, this method is a system.  It’s not a collection of tips.  It’s not a book of “how to’s” on cleaning this, or cleaning that.  Speed Cleaning is for anyone serious about getting the job of housecleaning done in half the time.  This system has never been improved on.  No one has written a even a copy-cat book on the system of Speed Cleaning.  Oh, there have been several copy-cat “Speed Cleaning” books of tips and room by room cleaning suggestions, but only the ORIGINAL, authentic, Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell book teaches you a proven, systemized approach to cleaning your home in half the time.  That’s why we’re so proud of it and love being able to sell it here.

So why is the apron so special?  Here’s why:

• Like a carpenter’s belt – who could work with out it!
• The apron protects your clothing
• loops on the sides – to carry Red Juice & Blue Juice
• Deep pockets to carry cleaning cloths, tools
• Trash pocket for debris
• Custom made, like no other
• Fast snap adjustable closure