Save Money By Spring Cleaning!

Spring cleaning may not be everyone's favorite thing to do... but we all like saving money! Cleaning up can make energy and gas costs go down, and taking care of appliances will make them last years longer. Plus, you may uncover some unneeded clutter that can earn you a return this spring! Ready to start? Let's get your living space in order and enjoy some extra cash, too! 

Prolong The Life Of Your Appliances 

Keeping appliances in top shape with regular maintenance means you can extend their life by years and save on energy costs! Pay special attention to: 

Refrigerator Coils
Unplug and dust out your refrigerator's coils! You'd be surprised at the dust that accumulates over time making it work harder to keep food cool. Clean coils can save you about 6% in energy costs off your fridge's electric bill this year and make the whole unit last longer! Use a vacuum attachment or brush to clean out the dust bunnies and wipe the coils with soapy water if they're cruddy. 

Vacuum Maintenance
Vacuums can last a decade or more if properly cared for. Wipe down the canister inside and out with a damp rag, use an old comb to get string, hair, and debris from the rollers, and check the belts for wear and tear to replace them as needed. Last, check hoses and attachments for clogs or holes in the tubing. Small leaks are easily fixed with a little duct tape! 

Replace AC Filters
The general rule is to change (or clean) your filters every 3 months, and it's for a good reason. Dirty filters lower indoor air quality and make the AC unit work harder. Not changing filters regularly can inflate energy costs by between 5-15% and put extra wear & tear on the whole system. Replacing filters a few times a year is oodles cheaper than shelling out for a new HVAC or suffering through allergy season.

Take Care Of Your Vehicle & Save At The Pump!

Do you carry extra stuff around in your trunk or back seat? All that additional weight makes you use more gas, so take out any junk you don't need to shave a bit off your fuel consumption. The same goes for bike racks or cargo containers. They can increase drag and weight, slowing you down. Only use them if you need them!

Regular maintenance will also keep your car running smoothly and save you about 4% on average for fuel. Bigger repairs can save even more – up to about 40% for larger repairs like a faulty oxygen sensor. Go ahead and make sure everything is working as it should this spring, and also check that your tires are properly inflated and you're using the right oil for your engine. 

Save Money With Homemade Cleaners

You don't need to spend a fortune on cleaners to get your home clean & shiny. Often homemade cleaners work just as well and are less toxic than store-bought detergents and polishes. Here are some common cleaners you can use right out of the kitchen! 

• Baking soda & water makes a wonderful cleaning solution that deodorizes and cleans appliances, countertops, and even ovens. Dissolve 1 part baking soda in 5 parts water for an all-purpose cleaner, or flip that ratio to make a mildly abrasive paste that shines up stainless steel beautifully.
• Coconut oil worked into wood with a cloth makes a quick and easy furniture polish.
• Cold black tea wiped over wood furniture can polish & restore a bit of color.
• Lemon juice & vegetable oil brightens up hardwood floors. (1 part lemon juice to 2 parts oil.)
• Coconut oil & baking soda combined into a paste can clean away sticky residues.
• Toothpaste is another mild abrasive that is great for polishing silver.
• Ketchup can also polish copper!
• Olive oil dissolves tar.

Find Some Extra Cash In Your Closets!

If you haven't used something in the last year or two, you probably don't really need it. All those extra clothes, appliances, gadgets, games, and more are doing you no favors sitting around collecting dust when they could be making you money (or helping out someone in need) instead!  

Spring is a great time for a yard sale, and going in with some neighbors can make the event even bigger to get more customers and sales. Online marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace are often busy this time of year with people looking to unload or snag a good deal. Or if you don't want to deal with actually selling, you can always donate to charities and get a deduction on your taxes.