Spring Cleaning While Packing

I’ve been making some good progress packing up the apartment and giving away what we don’t need. Usually around this time of year I do my spring cleaning, so it seemed like while I’m packing stuff up, I can put all that cleaning to good use too. There is no point in packing things away dirty or dusty, so I’ve been cleaning everything as I go. For an idea of what I try to accomplish in that time, check out my Spring Cleaning Checklist (and my Fall Cleaning Checklist too!)

All our picture frames got a good cleaning before being packed up with newspaper and bubble wrap. I’ve been wiping down books before they go into boxes (or into the donation pile).

While I’m cleaning out the closets I’ve been keeping things aside that need to be mended before they are packed up. Anything that needs to be dry cleaned is going to be sent to the dry cleaners closer to the move in date and I can pick it all up afterwards (saves me an extra trip!). I’m washing our big heavy winter coats this week so they can go right into storage when we get to the new place.

Canadian winters are brutal on our shoes and boots, especially the salt. I’ve been slowing cleaning the massive pile in the closet. Once they’re clean and dry, I’m packing them in a box with newspaper stuffed inside the shoes to keep their shape.

 
Before I pack up the Mini Keurig, I’ll be giving it a thorough cleaning too.  Same goes for our other appliances like the microwave and stand mixer.

Aside from going through all my spices, and trying to clear out the pantry, freezer and fridge, the biggest thing is packing things away in good condition so I can use the kitchen right away. I’m going to condition all my wooden spoons and cutting boards before they’re packed.

This is a good time to wash all the outdoor planters too and replant any houseplants (if they’re still alive).

You can also repot your orchids!

I have set aside one of my lunch breaks this week to clean out my car of all the junk it fills up with in the winter, and then I’ll just need to vacuum it, spring cleaning the inside and give it a good wash. I went through one of those automatic car washes last week to get all the salt and gunk off the bottom, but usually I like to hand wash it to make sure it’s really clean.

Hopefully all this work leading up to the move will make the transition a little smoother and give us more time for fun stuff – like renovating!