Do you start to get the itch for spring cleaning, or to get rid of multiple items you no longer use? Spring cleaning has been a term used for generations and it can refer to yardwork, deep cleaning your home, and even cutting things out of your lifestyle. In this blog, we want to discuss the emotional and physical health benefits of spring cleaning and why this little phrase causes so much hype each year. 

The History Of Spring Cleaning

There are many speculations and possible origins of what we now call spring cleaning. In the past, many religions or groups of people would cleanse or clean out homes and synagogues after the harsh winters. The first origin that experts think could have contributed to the term spring cleaning is Persian New Year. Preparing for Persian New Year involves a practice called “shaking the house” where everything is deep cleaned from drapes to furniture.

For those who had wood-burning stoves and were more or less hunkered down for the winter, cleaning after the cold weather subsided meant airing out the home, clearing soot, and restocking food supply.

Another religious connotation is the Jewish practice of preparing for Passover. During the week-long observance, followers are to abstain from anything leavened or fermented. It is also common to clear the house of any leavened items. 

In European homes during the 19th century, those in wet climates would use the spring weather to air out and clean their homes. This time was perfect for opening windows and doors to let air through without worrying about too many bugs or creatures entering the home. 

No matter what origin first started spring cleaning, today it can refer to many different areas of our lives. The process of cleaning after a long winter mostly confined to our homes is a good way to mentally reset. 

Health Benefits From Proper Cleaning

Most homeowners and business owners participate in a deep spring cleaning because it is a good excuse to improve the health of the space. Cleaning rids your home of allergens, pet dander, bugs, fumes, dirt, and other build-ups that can cause health concerns. 

Some specific benefits of thorough cleaning include less risk of injury because of less clutter, providing physical movement for your body, improving your focus and mental clarity, improving the air quality in your home, and removing harmful bacteria that can make your family, you, or your pets sick. 

Cleaning your home will also keep it from deteriorating faster or having your items damaged. Areas like your floors, windows, furniture, light fixtures, and the exterior of your home need to be cleaned in order to receive their full lifespan.

Psychological Improvements

Having a clean home that is clutter free can improve your mental health and clarity. Working to maintain your home, decluttering items you no longer need, and taking time for yourself will all help improve your thought processes. 

People also tend to have what is called the fresh start effect which makes them have the itch to start spring cleaning. The start of a new season can help us to track the ebbs and flows of our motivation. Having warmer weather, longer days, and bright sunshine can help boost people’s morale and ability to deep clean their homes. 

People also like to see themselves in a good light and continuously improve. By telling ourselves that the spring version of us will be better than the winter version, or the common phrase “New Year new me” we put ourselves in a position to take a positive step. Spring cleaning can help set us up for a happier few months by helping us feel accomplished. Even if you don’t deep clean your whole house, hiring a professional or donating used items can help us feel productive. 

Items To Include On Your Spring Cleaning List

It can often feel overwhelming to start your spring cleaning, but even just small improvements like cleaning spaces you don’t normally clean or cleaning out your closet are good places to start. Below are some items to add to your spring cleaning list and ones that Sierra Vista Maintenance can help you tackle.

• Wipe down doors and baseboard
• Declutter your closets and donate clothes
• Dryer vent cleaning
• Clean your washing machine
• Deep clean ceiling fans
• Exterior and interior window cleaning
• Replace lightbulbs
• Deep clean your oven
• Vacuum or dust lamp shades, blinds, and drapes
• Rotate and clean your mattress
• Change batteries in smoke detectors
• Clean out your gutters
• Disinfect common surfaces (keyboards, door handles, coffee tables, handrails, etc.)
• Clean and sanitize your shower head
• Store winter clothes
• Clean out email, hard drives, file cabinets, and junk mail
• Update first aid kits or emergency packs
• Wash rugs and mats
• Clean your fireplace and chimney

Home Cleaning With Sierra Vista Maintenance

Sierra Vista Maintenace has many services to help improve the comfort of your home. Spring cleaning or any time of the year is just as important to us as it is to you. Maintaining your home starts with quality services from a top-of-the-line company. Schedule an estimate or an appointment with us today! 

Doing research about a cleaning service for your home is a good rule of thumb to make sure you get what you pay for. Chimney sweeps will help improve the health and safety of your home, but only if you hire a professional company. There are some aspects that you should look for in a chimney sweep company and some questions to ask before you let them into your home. Any home cleaning company will treat your home with respect and provide great customer service. 

Sierra Vista Maintenance is proud to be a home cleaning and chimney sweep company. We look forward to improving your fireplace, chimney, and all the parts that help to keep soot and smoke out of your home. 

1- Inspection Of Multiple Parts Of The Chimney

A thorough chimney cleaning will involve inspecting all the parts, and cleaning the entire chimney and around your fireplace as well. A professional chimney sweep company will work to clean your chimney base, chimney flue, liner, cap, chase covers, flashing, fireplace damper, and more.  If a chimney sweep does not clean all of these parts or isn’t aware of what these parts are, it might be in your best interest to choose a different company. 

2- What Certifications Does The Cleaner Have

Chimney professionals will often have certifications or licensing that sets them as legitimate above telemarking companies or others. If you are wanting to know whether a chimney sweep company is worth hiring look to see what certifications they have or what groups they are a part of. CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America), NFI (National Fireplace Institute), or F.I.R.E (Fire Investigation Research and Education) are all good resources to look for. 

3- Don’t Hire One That Shows Up Uninvited

Companies that want to gain money quickly will travel door to door and try to promote their services. These companies often don’t have the tools or insurance to protect them and could cause expensive damage to your home. Those that show up uninvited are often part of a scam and will cheat unsuspecting homeowners out of their money. They may offer services, but at a ridiculously high price, or not offer the quality that your chimney deserves. If a chimney sweep company shows up to your home or business uninvited, it is a good rule of thumb to steer clear. 

4- The Use Of Professional Equipment

Another key sign of a good chimney sweep company is the use of professional equipment. If a company shows up with no equipment, they may not be the best party to be working on your home. Equipment will help keep your home safe and healthy and will also protect the technician. Some equipment may include replacement caps, chimney brushes, a camera to look down in your chimney, tarps or other protective layering, and regular tools like wrenches or pliers. 

5- Know What Prices Are Fair

Chimneys that have gone years without service may be more pricey to service. Quality chimney services can range from $70 to over $200 depending on the area you live in and where your chimney is located. Talking to the company you hire about pricing will eliminate the possibility of surprises and help you to know exactly what you are paying for. 

Chimney sweep companies can offer inspections and cleanings and charge separately for them. When you hire a company, ask what services you are getting and the total cost for the services. Different companies will offer different pricing, so ask around and do some research on what quality company fits your budget. 

Chimney Sweeps With Sierra Vista Maintenance

Our company has been in business for many years, but have recently expanded our chimney cleaning services to help more homes and businesses in the Sacramento area. Keeping your chimney clean and serviced will help protect your home from fire damage, smoke and soot smell, and unwanted critters in your home. 

During the colder months, cleaning your chimney may not be at the forefront of your mind, but spring cleaning is a great time to ensure that your home is free of excess soot and dirt build-up. 

Sierra Vista Maintenance offers multiple cleaning services to help get your space ready for spring. Dryer vent cleaning, window cleaning, roof inspection, pressure washing, and other commercial services are just some of what we offer to our clients. Learn more about what we offer on our services page. 

Home window washing and cleaning is a common chore that will need to be completed in order to protect your home. Window cleaning in spring or fall can help improve the look of your home. Spring cleaning is often a time when homeowners focus on their windows, but when is the best time to complete window cleaning? Hiring a professional company to clean will usually come with bi-annual cleaning options, where they are cleaned during the spring and the fall. Sierra Vista Maintenance wants to help you complete window cleaning in spring to set your home up for success in the warmer months. 

DIY Or Hiring A Professional

For homeowners that are looking to clean windows themselves, there is really no right time to clean them. Cleaning the interior panes of your home can be done any time of the year, while the exterior is probably best cleaned when there is no snow or ice present. Cleaning in colder temperatures or extremely hot temperatures can lead to illness, injury, or excess window streaks. 

If you hire a professional to do annual or bi-annual cleaning, it is recommended to schedule these appointments in the early spring and early fall. These times of the year often have the mildest temperatures and weather conditions. Having a window cleaning service during a storm is not ideal, so proper planning will ensure you get the best results from window cleaning in spring or fall. 

The Perfect Temperature

As mentioned above, mild temperatures are best for window cleaning. Overcast days or early mornings provide the best temperature for proper window cleaning in spring. Lower temperatures can cause cleaning solutions to freeze to the windows and make it difficult for window cleaners to safely navigate your roof. 

Scorching temperatures can cause heat exhaustion or make the cleaning solution dry too quickly, leaving residue on your windows and making the cleaning process much more difficult. While removing pollen or dirty rainwater are important when cleaning windows, performing window cleaning in spring is best to find mild days. 

Dealing With Weather

Rain storms, windy days, dust storms, snow, or other weather conditions can drastically affect your window cleaning appointment. Window cleaning in spring can deal with some bad weather days, but the majority of the days during the spring season, especially in our service area of Sacramento, spring is the ideal time to keep your window cleaning appointment on schedule. 

If the weather is a factor on the day of your cleaning, rescheduling the appointment for a few days later will ensure that your windows stay in the best condition possible. 

Benefits Of Window Cleaning In Spring

There are multiple benefits of having your windows cleaned, regardless of the season, but having window cleaning in spring will give you the following benefits.

For homeowners that have double-pane windows, cleaning them in the spring is much easier because they can be disassembled easily and laid out to dry. With warmer temperatures comes faster drying time, which makes our cleaning process much more efficient. This gets your home back to functioning order much faster than during colder months. 

Cleaning when the weather is warm is much more pleasant. Sierra Vista Maintenance enjoys cleaning in the warm California weather and the spring temperatures are the most comfortable. Hiring a professional in the spring or adding window cleaning to your spring cleaning list will help keep you healthy and comfortable. 

Many homeowners look forward to nice weather to host family and friends or enjoy time in their backyards. Completing window cleaning in spring will help prepare for summer entertaining. Having clear windows improves the curb appeal of your home and will give you more confidence to have people around or in your home. 

Hiring a window cleaner will help check something off your spring cleaning list and help you give your attention to other items. Professional window cleaners can clean your home most times of the day, which gives you the freedom and peace of mind to tackle other projects. 

Spring is a common time for pollen and sap to build up on your windows. Scheduling a window cleaning in spring will help remove this build-up before it becomes too big of a problem. This will give you clear windows going into the summer and allow more natural light in your home. 

Hire Sierra Vista Maintenance For Spring Cleaning

Our team is dedicated to home cleaning success and wants to make your home the safest and healthiest it can possibly be. Each member of Sierra Vista Maintenance has the experience and skills to work on your home and provide an efficient service. Window cleaning in spring will set you up for success for the rest of the warmer months and keep your home looking sharp.