7 Spring Cleaning Tasks That Are a Total Waste of Time, According to Pros

Just like that, spring cleaning time is officially upon us once again. Whether you’re an enthusiastic participant in the spring cleaning tradition or begrudgingly tackle tasks to keep your home feeling fresh, the experts have some good news for you: there are some spring cleaning tasks that you can take off your list this year.

Here are seven spring cleaning tasks that are a waste of time, according to cleaning experts.

Washing Exterior Windows

This one may come as a surprise to some people, but Henrique Conceiacao, Area Manager at Total Clean, says that washing exterior windows is actually best done in the summer rather than the early spring months.

“Cleaning windows in the spring can be a waste of cleaning time because they will just collect more pollen and dirt quickly,” he says.

Instead, wait until the worst of the pollen season in your area is over before turning your attention to cleaning your exterior windows. Chances are, without the rest of your spring cleaning checklist looming over your head, you’ll have more time to dedicate to the task at that point anyway.

Shampooing Carpets Yourself

Experts agree that shampooing carpets on an annual basis is a task they see many of their clients try to take on themselves when it should be left to the professionals. While renting or purchasing a carpet cleaner can feel like a great DIY solution, expert cleaners say that it can lead to fiber damage over time if it’s not done properly so they always recommend hiring experts to take on this task.

Instead, make spot cleaning your carpets a regular task on your cleaning to-do list so that you can catch any stains or spills early. Then, consider hiring professionals to thoroughly clean your carpets every 12 to 24 months or so.

Organizing Every Cupboard and Drawer

While it may be tempting to organize your entire house come spring cleaning time, Jennifer Rodriguez, Chief Hygiene Officer at Pro Housekeepers, says that trying to tackle every nook and cranny in your home is not a good use of your time.

“Spending hours sorting and organizing tiny items (like a junk drawer) can be less rewarding in the long run if the system isn’t maintainable,” she says.

Instead, it’s best to approach organizing strategically—focusing on creating sustainable organization systems that you can keep up with long-term. Focus on the high-traffic, high-use areas of your home during spring cleaning, and let yourself take on the smaller projects throughout the year for the best use of your time.

Excessive Decluttering

Along the same lines, Rodriguez advises that excessive decluttering is a common trap many fall into around spring cleaning.

“Trying to declutter your entire home in one go can be overwhelming and impractical,” she says. Instead, prioritize the areas in your home that need it the most, such as high-traffic areas or spots where the clutter is impinging on functionality.

Cleaning Behind the Fridge

Here’s another one that may surprise you: Delah Gomasi from MaidForYou says that removing your fridge from the fridge cavity to clean behind it is a spring cleaning task that you can skip.

“I’ve seen multiple homes where damage has been done to not only the cabinetry, but to the tiles of the kitchen from people removing the fridge to clean behind it,” he says.

Unless there’s a spill, a funky smell, or an insect problem in the area, this task is best left for when you move out of your property, or every half-decade or so, Gomasi advises.

Generalized Appliance Deep Cleans

Cleaning appliances can be an important part of many people’s spring cleaning checklists, but experts advise that you tackle the task strategically.

“While appliance cleaning is crucial, extensive deep cleaning for every appliance might be unnecessary,” says Karina Toner, Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning.

Instead, focus on specific areas that are prone to grime (such as oven interiors or refrigerator shelves), along with frequently used appliances. Essentially, use your time wisely rather than blindly cleaning just for the sake of it.

Excessive Dusting

There’s no denying that dusting is an important part of any spring cleaning checklist, and let’s be honest, it may be one of the only times that some hard-to-reach areas in our homes get the royal treatment. However, experts agree that it can be easy to get carried away with dusting every inch of our homes during spring cleaning when in reality, it’s usually not necessary.

Make the most of your precious time by prioritizing high-traffic areas in your home or rooms that are particularly dusty rather than worrying about getting every nook and cranny. Also, adding the occasional dusting to your regular cleaning list will make your life a lot easier come spring cleaning time when the tasks at hand seem endless.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.