Enjoying great weather is a breeze, but our Karen Weaver knows it’s even easier when our homes are in tip-top shape! Karen is an artistic, DIYer with a flair for making you feel right at home. Take a few Spring Cleaning & Organization tips from Karen for your best Spring yet!

1. Open the windows

Now that it’s a little warmer out, it’s time to get more fresh air into your home. Good ventilation is key to combat indoor pollutants coming from your carpet, computer and many other common household objects.

2. Cull your winter clothes now

Have you gone through a whole winter without wearing those boots or that sweater? If so, it’s time to give them away. It will be a lot easier to convince yourself to keep things if you do this task next fall. Clean your closet out after each season.

3. Organize Your Closet

After you clean out your closet, organize it by color and how you get dressed in the morning. Your closet will look nice, and your morning routine will be easier.

4. Use baking soda on musty carpets

Baking soda is a very popular natural cleaner, and for good reason! Simply sprinkle baking soda onto your carpets for smell reduction. Sweep it around for a bit, let it sit and then vacuum it up.

4. Clear your windows with vinegar

Combine 2 teaspoons of vinegar with 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe to get rid of finger prints and other greasy buildup.

While you’re at it, could you do us a favor and skip the paper towel and use a washable rag instead? Or if you’re cleaning something so gnarly that paper towels are a must, at least compost them.

5. Create a Different Mood

It’s easy to create a different mood in your home. A change in pillows, curtains, towels, table linens & other textiles can make a big difference. Look for fresh, airy & floral patterns.

6. Make an all-purpose cleaner with natural ingredients

Tea tree oil and lemon extract have both been shown to have anti-microbial properties. So, you can make a good all-purpose cleaner by combining 10 drops of lemon extract (or zest) with 20 drops of tea tree oil in 1 quart of water. This works great to clean tile, countertops and floors.

7. Flip your mattress

Not all mattresses are designed to be flipped, but if yours is, it’s good to flip it twice a year. Why not use the equinox as a reminder?

Just like carpet, you can use the baking soda trick on your mattress to absorb oils and odors.

8. Cook up a pot of happy smells

For a more natural good-smell fix, why not boil up a pot of your favorite herbs and fruits? Try combining cinnamon and oranges or cloves and apples. You can also add a few drops of essential oils.