Spring cleaning was a chore, but it was a fun chore.
As I grew older, spring cleaning became less fun. And now that I have my own place, singing and dancing around while I do a deep clean just isn’t the same at all. I needed a new motivation if I was going to spend an entire weekend cleaning.
Luckily, money is a great motivator and there are plenty of cleaning tips that can help save you some extra of it this spring!
Sell Your Used Clothes
I don’t know about you, but I have a habit of buying something that’s on clearance even if I only kind of like it. When a sweater goes from $50 to $10, how are you not supposed to buy it? So what if it has a French bulldog on the front? I like French bulldogs (this is a true story, it was a tan sweater with a French bulldog on the front. Animal sweaters were big for a second).
Unfortunately, my habit often results in a closet full of clothes I haven’t worn in six months because I only sort of liked them.
The solution to this problem? When you’re cleaning out your closet and reorganizing this spring, take note of what you don’t really wear anymore. If they’re still in good condition, consider selling them to a consignment shop. You’re not going to get rich doing this, but you could walk away with a little extra cash.
Clean Your Dryer Vent
Old style laundry room with modern appliances and wicker baskets
A tell-tell sign that you need your dryer vent cleaned is when you consistently have to dry your clothes twice.
It could be doing this because there’s a build up in the dryer vent (lint, hair, etc..) that’s blocking the airflow and causing your clothes to remain damp.
To start, this is dangerous, as a clogged dryer vent could cause a fire. According to Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance, dirty dryer vents cause 15,000 home fires a year. On top of that, it’s costing you money because you’re drying clothes twice.
Rogers says, “On average, if a homeowner whose dryer typically takes two cycles to dry clothes has their dryer vent professionally cleaned, they can save nearly $150 a year.”
Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Buying cleaning products from the store can really start to add up and they can wreak havoc on the environment. Instead of using chemical cleaners from the store, make your own with items you already have in your pantry.
For example, Mark Liston, president of Glass Doctor, has a great tip for glass cleaner, “If you’re looking for a DIY solution to clean you glass shower doors, mix one cup of warm vinegar with one cup of a dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture directly onto the door and wipe with a soft sponge.”
You can actually clean a lot with just lemon juice, vinegar, baking powder, olive oil and water.
Change Your HVAC Filter
Much like your dryer filter, your furnace/air conditioning filter needs to be clean. A dirty filter causes you to spend more money in energy to heat and cool your home. And who wants to spend more money when you can save with an easy fix?
Steve Truett, president of Aire Serv says, “If it’s been more than three months since your last HVAC filter change or cleaning, you’re past due. Keep filters clean, replacing them every two to three months at a minimum to cut down on energy use and prolong system life.”
Wash With Cold Water
This last tip is easy to implement and can save you a little extra money annually.
According to Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance, “Switching to cold water washes when doing your laundry can help you save approximately $60 a year.”
Washing your clothes with cold water also helps preserve the color. Less fading means less replacing wardrobe staples. It’s an easily implementable way to save a little extra money.
Spring cleaning may not be as fun now as it was when you were little, but it can save you some money! While you’re cleaning, don’t forget about the outside. Your yard needs some TLC too this spring.
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