It’s that time of year again. Pollen is infecting the air, kids are getting a week off from school, and that means one thing; it’s time for spring cleaning. Whether it is one room, or all of them, here are some simple tips to use this spring cleaning season.

The idea of spring cleaning came from Iranian Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Iranians practice “khooneh tekouni” a week before the new year, which directly translates to “shaking the house”. Although the tradition is derived from Iran, many countries have adapted this cleaning frenzy for every spring.

Here are some tips to ensure your home is clean and free of dust this spring.

1. Start small. Begin with your bedroom, a small bathroom, or even the kitchen. If you clean one room a day, then you can get more completed in the week you have off.
2. Decide from the beginning how deep of a clean you want to go, in order to plan accordingly. You don’t want to be overwhelmed if you have a minimized amount of time to deep clean your house, but only one week to do it.
3. Choose a cleaning playlist. It is recommended to listen to instrumental music, so you won’t get distracted with singing while you are trying to clean.
4. List out every room in your house, not forgetting closets, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
5. Be mentally prepared. Get yourself into the cleaning spirit. You can watch videos on Youtube where people timelapse them cleaning their room or house.
6. Try getting rid of stuff you don’t need anymore. If it is causing clutter, and you don’t even use it, DONATE IT! Your trash can be another’s treasure.

While cleaning, here are some spots to consider that are most often brush aside:

1. Utility rooms
2. Windows and window tracks
3. Door tracks
4. Ovens, microwaves, and toaster ovens
5. Linen/hallway closets

Spring cleaning may seem like a hassle, but in the end your home can be free of dust, dirt, and debris. By doing a large house cleanup each year, you can reduce the effects that come with allergies and asthma.