Spring Tidying and Cleaning Guide: Tips and Tricks to Start Afresh With Beijing's Spring

I don't know about you, but when those temperatures rise, the skies turn blue, and the windows are opened, I can't help but get tidying and cleaning. Although perhaps that's because tidying is one of my biggest hobbies (anyone who knows me can also confirm that that is needed as I tend to have a lot of stuff), it still is the time of spring cleaning for anyone looking to start summer fresh.

Whether you're preparing to move house (unfortunately once a year seems to be average around here), or just need to make some extra space, here are some tips to cleaning up and starting afresh:

1. Clean Your Aircon
Get one of those cans of aircon cleaner on JD.com, as your unit is bound to be a little dusty after not having been used for an entire winter. Alternatively, sticking a dryer sheet over the vent for a few days will also get your airflow smelling fresh. Open your windows on good days too to get that stale winter air out.

2. Donate Unused Winter Items, Vacuum Pack Others
If you haven't worn it all winter, you're not going to wear it next winter. Give it away to Roundabout either by dropping it off, or arrange for them to come and collect, if you've got enough – organize in unison with your flatmates and you will definitely have enough, plus it'll motivate you more.

Winter clothes you do want to keep will soon be redundant for at least six months, so get some of these vacuum bags from Ikea. They work with a regular vacuum cleaner, as do these Taobao ones that also fit your winter duvets. If you're not keen on buying anything new, everyone must have at least one empty un-utilized suitcase lying around to store things in. 

3. Rearrange Your Closet
After you've rearranged your seasonal items, organizing your closet by color will make your closet look more appealing. Prepping your weekly outfits on hangers ready to go will make your mornings more relaxed especially if you're not a morning person. For more closet organizing tips, check here.

4. Clean Your Microwave and Fridge
Half a cup of water and half a cup of white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl on full power for five minutes will help clean out your microwave and get rid of residue from all all of those comfort meals reheated through winter. 

Your fridge also could do with a clean if you haven't done that since the cold weather rolled in. Take out everything, wash the shelves and the inside with warm soapy water and say goodbye mold!

5. Wash Surfaces, Cabinets, Woodwork
It's easy to forget washing cabinets, surfaces, and other woodwork, especially if you're sharing an apartment with others. Make sure you're all up to take this on together, and then it will be done even faster. Even better, if you do have an ayi, join them in cleaning together, this way you can show them exactly how you like things cleaned, and reemphasize your own dedication to a clean home, too. Well, until the next time you need to call her in.

More stories by this author here.

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Images: actionpixel.de, Eluxecleaning, JD.com, Ikea, tiphero, today