This is a sponsored post on behalf of Dollar General.
All opinions are my own and were not influenced by any parties.
Spring is nearly here! And after the winter we’ve had I am certainly welcoming it with open arms. Soon the windows will be open letting that fresh air in, pushing out those musty winter smells in our homes.
It is also the time when many of you may be tackling some spring cleaning. And, if you have not done it before (or perhaps you did not really do it the right way), it is essential to make sure you start with a plan.
PLANNING FOR YOUR SPRING CLEANING PROJECTS
The first thing you need to do is figure out when you will tackle each room. When it comes to spring cleaning, you don’t have to do the entire house, from top to bottom, in just one or two days. It can be done over a few weeks.
We are all busy and when it gets nice, we would rather be outside or doing just about anything other than cleaning. So break up the cleaning tasks and work on a room at a time, but don’t miss out on the gorgeous weather.
Select the days you will clean each room. Make sure you allow for 3 – 4 hours for each one. While it may not take you that long, having the extra time buffer built in will be helpful, should it take you longer than expected.
Once you have your schedule planned out, it is time to make sure you have everything you need. I’ve built spring cleaning kits for years and this year was no exception.
The only difference was that this year, I was able to save more than 50% on the things I needed — just by shopping at the right place.
BUILDING A SPRING CLEANING KIT
Each year, I make a pilgrimage to a local brick and mortar store and stock up on everything I need to clean the house. And, that usually means I spend at least $50 – $60. It’s no fun.
This year, I decided to try something different. I popped into my local Dollar General to see if they could offer what I need and save me money. You’ll need to read on as I share my grand total for everything I added to my kit — but not until the end of the post!
If shopping at Amazon is more up your alley, check out my must-have list of cleaning supplies.
So, what makes a good kit? I’m sharing my secrets!
Also see: Free Spring Cleaning Checklists
A BUCKET
It is always smart to have a bucket handy. You never know when you will need to fill a pail with water and cleanser. Rather than find a bowl or rely on trigger sprays, a bucket will keep the water you need, right at your fingertips.
Not only that but even if you don’t need to use it, a bucket is a perfect way to haul your cleaning supplies from room to room. Just grab the handle, and you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips.
SPONGES, SCRUBBERS, AND RAGS
I always have several different products handy to use for scrubbing. Sometimes food or grime is stuck on, so I need a scratch pad. Other times I need to be gentle cleaning a soft surface so need a sponge. Then a good rag and towel are a must for any cleaning task.
SUPER ERASER
I’ll be honest; this is one of my favorite cleaning items. These Dollar General Super Erasers are amazing! You can use it for scuffs, marks, crayon, markers, dirt, soap scum — so many things! You’ll want to make sure you toss a few of these into your spring cleaning kit.
ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
When it comes to wiping down baseboards, doorknobs, and light switches, an all-purpose cleaner works great. I prefer the concentrated bottles that you dilute in water (thus the reason for my bucket). I just found Passion Fruit scent at my Dollar General — you won’t believe how awesome it smells!
CLEANER WITH BLEACH
There may be surfaces that need extra disinfecting or bleach to remove stubborn stains. Keep a bottle of cleaner with bleach (or make your own oxygen bleach solution to stay away from chemicals) on hand for these types of jobs (always check color-fast before using).
WINDOW CLEANER
Nothing is better than a window that will let the sunlight stream on through! Window cleaner is a must for your spring cleaning kit. No reason to pay too much — it is just $1 at Dollar General!
So there you go! Everything I have in my spring cleaning kit.
I told you that I’d save the best part for last. Check out this picture above. Do you have any guesses as to what I paid for everything? I spent just around $35 to get everything I needed!!
There’s no reason to break the bank to clean your house. None at all.
