Want to start spring cleaning early? Start with these tasks

Show small appliances some love.

Kitchen appliances work hard on a regular basis and even the smaller ones, such as your toaster and hand mixer, can benefit from a seasonal spruce-up. To banish dried-on batter, smoothie or sauce from your hand mixer and blender base, rub the exteriors with a damp cloth. Don’t forget to wipe the cords (unplugged, of course) as well, since they can also be targets for splatters.

To clean your toaster, start by unplugging it and gently shaking it upside down over the trash to dislodge crumbs. Remove the crumb tray and wipe it and the exterior of the toaster down with a damp cloth. Dry the crumb tray completely with another cloth before replacing. Finally, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down your coffee machine base. Other parts, including the carafe, lid and filter basket, can be washed in warm, soapy water.

Depending on the size of your home, this may not be the quickest task to tackle, but it is super satisfying, and a chilly day when you’re stuck inside anyway is the best time to get it crossed off your to-do list.

Start by removing dust with your vacuum’s brush attachment. Follow up by wiping down baseboards with a cloth dampened with a warm water-dish soap combo. Dry baseboards with a clean microfiber cloth. Work your way around the room to ensure you don’t miss any spots.