Spring cleaning is a time some people love, and others grudgingly acknowledge. However most agree that giving their homes a thorough cleaning is a good and a necessary thing.  Vacuuming all the carpets, scrubbing down all the walls, and dusting the bookshelves, not only chases dust and germs away, but they make the home feel fresh and clean.

Choosing Cleaning Products

For a touch of added freshness, try plant based cleaners as an alternative to chemical based options.  Brands such as Seventh Generation and Doctor Bonner’s are not only safer for the environment and your family, they usually have a much nicer smell than their chemical based counterparts. If you or family members are sensitive to harsh fumes, switching to a gentler alternative may be helpful.

There is also the option of making your own cleaners using citrus vinegar, castile soap, or baking soda, just to name a few ingredients. Some essential oils such as tea tree and lavender can be used for household cleaning projects as well. Pinterest has several ideas for making all sorts of cleaners for every type of cleaning job. Making your own cleaners is a great project for the entire family and could potentially lead to them lending a hand with the rest of the cleaning as well. Since household cleaning can’t be avoided, why not enjoy it?

Don’t Forget to Wash or Replace …

With all of this cleaning, don’t forget to replace old items that cannot be cleaned anymore, such as towels, blankets, and pillows. Overtime, these items not only become stained with use, but they can also become damaged as well. Since pillows are vital to sleeping, which is vital to your health, it’s important to replace them as necessary.

If your pillows have become a dingy gray, have become stained, or are torn, you will definitely know they need to be replaced, but what if there are no visible signs of damage, should you still replace the pillows?

That depends on a few things. How old are the pillows? According to Sleep Advisor, you should replace pillows once a year, washing them at least every three weeks. The Huffington Post also did a study recommending washing pillows every three months and their covers every three weeks. The suggested replacement time for the pillows was every six months to every three years.

While some time frames for replacement vary, there are other ways to determine if your pillows need to go.  Over time and use, pillows begin to flatten, meaning they can no longer support your head and neck, causing pain to both areas as well as sinus issues. If your pillows are so thin they can easily fold, they probably need to go. If you are frequently experiencing neck pain, it could mean that your pillows have flattened out too much to support you. Of course, there is also the possibility that the pillows were never the right ones for your needs, but wear and tear will only make the pillows worse no matter how good or bad they originally were.

If any of your allergies have begun to worsen, your old pillow could be to blame. Dust, pet dander and other allergens build up over time despite multiple washings of the pillows and their cases. Think of the pillow as a sponge; there comes a time when it has collected too much dirt and must be replaced rather than simply cleaned.

Since you’re already replacing your bed pillows, you can always treat yourself to some new bedspreads as well. Spring cleaning is about freshening up your home, both literally and figuratively, so enjoy it. Mix up some nice smelling cleaners, replace what needs replaced and get ready to enjoy spring.