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To many people, “Spring Cleaning” is most associated with clearing out old junk. However, it’s also important to remember that there are other practical advantages to getting into the spirit of the season.

Spring cleaning is more than making rooms neater and clearing clutter. Many of these household tasks can also help you save money.

Here are a few simple cleaning tasks around the house that do more than clear out space. By spending a little extra time on these cleaning tasks now, you can earn gains in other, more subtle ways.

Check Your Refrigerator and Freezer

You count on your refrigerator to keep your food cold and fresh. It’s a modern convenience that is often overlooked until it breaks. With a bit of cleaning and organizing, you can maintain your unit's service life and efficiency.

A little refrigerator maintenance can go a long way in saving electricity. Also, a well-organized refrigerator will reduce the likelihood of food waste. It’s a win-win situation that will lower the costs of more than one bill.

Now’s a great time to check behind your refrigerator and clean the condenser coils of dust and debris. Doing this will make it easier for your unit to complete the refrigeration cycle, potentially saving electricity. Also, clean the area where your refrigerator stands to promote airflow.

While working on the refrigerator, consider how you store perishable food. If you spend much time rummaging through your unit to find things, it might be a good time to rethink your organization. The longer you keep a refrigerator or freezer open, the more cold air and energy go to waste. Some quick suggestions:

• Use reusable containers
• Label containers by date and contents
• Keep raw ingredients near the back
  

Enhance Your Indoor Air Quality

“Allergy season” often refers to the pollen found as the plant life blooms. It’s usually associated with springtime and the outdoors, but plenty of things indoors can also cause irritation.

Vacuuming the floor regularly can help clear out dust and other allergens. Now is also a good time to dust off the fixtures you may not clean as frequently. They include:

• Ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Window blinds, curtains, and drapes
• Air conditioning vents
• Bookshelves and display cases
  

Also, try vacuuming and spot-cleaning your furniture and upholstery, like the sofa. The fabrics on the seating are dust magnets. A little furniture care will also make these items last longer, meaning you won’t have to spend money on replacements prematurely.

While we’re talking about indoor air quality, now’s a good time to check the filter of your central air conditioning unit. The filter does much of the heavy lifting in keeping the air fresh, clean, and healthy. Depending on the filter and the HVAC system, you must consider replacing the filter every one to three months. Refer to the manual of your HVAC unit for more details.

Turn Your Junk Into Free Space—and Money

Now, let’s talk about the main draw of spring cleaning: making more space for yourself. Over the past year or so, you may have bought or found more things that ultimately ended up in the garage, attic, or patio.

We get it: as people, we have plans for things. At the same time, some of those plans may not have worked out. As we enter another season where nature renews itself, so too is our opportunity for fresh starts and new beginnings.

As you look through your garage or attic for things to toss, also be aware of things that might have better use in another person’s hands. What might be a waste of space to you now might be someone else’s treasure in the near future.

Host a garage sale to clear out space and make a little extra money. Alternatively, you can choose some items you no longer need and re-gift them to someone else. Re-gifting can do wonders towards getting the most from this year’s holiday budget. Think of it as an investment for the very near future.

You can also use the marketplace feature on social media apps like Facebook or Nextdoor. These platforms make it easier to find people in your area who may be interested in buying what you no longer need.

Don’t forget: spring cleaning is also a great time to organize your finances for a brighter tomorrow. First Florida can help you stay in step with online budgeting tools and e-statements that can reduce paper clutter. Explore our website to learn more.