How to Save Money While Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning doesn't just mean taking a few days to scrub your house down – it can also be a way to save you and your family some money! When you think of spring cleaning, what comes to mind? Washing the windows, cleaning the gutters, and mopping the floors? Well, we're here to give you some ideas you may never have thought of doing this spring.

Take inventory

We've all gone out shopping only to return home and realize we've just purchased an item we already own! If only we had stopped to take a look at what we had before we left the house, right? Well, we think that you should be taking advantage of the "Season of Cleaning" and take inventory of everything that your family already owns. This can apply to food, small appliances, clothing, or anything you might see on sale during a trip to the mall and bring home thinking you need one. Do you think your kids need a new winter coat? Dig through the closets and make sure you're not forgetting about those winter coats hiding in the very back! You'll end up saving a lot of money by making sure you know what you truly need before making any unnecessary purchases.

Have a yard sale

While you're spring cleaning this year, you may find yourself discovering many items you no longer need or want. Instead of tossing them in the trash, host a yard sale instead! Garage sales, depending on how much you're able to sell, can be a great source of extra money that could be used to pay off bills from the holidays, or simply to give you extra pocket money for that month. We suggest you price your items reasonably. Keep in mind that the type of people shopping at your sale are most likely "budget-loving" people and will not want to pay $100 for a chair – even if you think it may be worth a lot more! If you have children, you should especially consider having a yard sale in order to teach your children how the purchase and sale of goods works! Give them the opportunity to make change during a few of the smaller purchases. A $2 dollar being purchased with a $5 bill is the perfect opportunity to teach simple math and money skills.

Deep clean

Cleaning out your refrigerator may already be on your to-do list this spring, but have you ever thought about BEHIND your refrigerator? Over time, dust can collect around the coils on your refrigerator and cause it to run inefficiently. To alleviate this problem, you can pull your refrigerator away from the wall and use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum to gently clean the coils. We recommend that you briefly unplug your refrigerator and turn off the water while you're cleaning – you never know what could happen! This simple cleaning tip will extend the life of your refrigerator, increase the efficiency, and save you money in the long run.

After you've seen the difference in cleaning your refrigerator, see what other appliances in your home could use a little more than the normal cleaning. Have you checked your dryer lint compartment lately? You might surprise yourself with what you find deep down inside of it. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't have an effect on your home. Dryer lint has been known to cause house fires if it's not regularly emptied! Your family's bank account, and safety, is worth an extra look at your everyday appliances!

Please note: If you're unable to pull an appliance away from the wall, or are unsure of the safest way to clean an appliance, please consult a professional. Cambridge wants you to have a clean home and save money, but we don't want any of our readers to get hurt in the process!