These are the most common spring cleaning mistakes

By Hunter B oyce The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

THE TREE LEAVES are sprouting and the flowers are blooming. Spring is nearly here, and that means it’s time to do another round of deep cleaning around the house. Before shuttering yourself away for a weekend with an arsenal of cleaning supplies, consider these quick tips on what not to do when spring cleaning this year. It just might save you time, money and a lot of stress.

• Starting without a plan

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when doing their spring cleaning is not making a plan. Blindly leaping into your spring cleaning duties can lead to missed cleaning opportunities, leaving your home with dirt and dust in unexpected places. This

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8:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Westfield South Middle School in Westfield. In addition to the garden lectures, there will be raffle’s book sales and vendors. Soil pH testing will also be available on site. For more information and to register, visit www.wmmga.org.

SPRINGFIELD Garden Club scholarship

The Springfield Garden Club is accepting applications for their annual $2,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior, undergraduate or graduate college student majoring in a full-time plant science or environmental studies program, such as horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, conservation, forestry, botany, agronomy, plant pathology, environmental control, land management or other allied will lead to more time spent cleaning, as you will have to double your efforts in any spaces where cleaning opportunities may have absentmindedly been missed. Always break down your spring cleaning tasks on paper before beginning. This way, you can be sure of what all cleaning supplies you need to purchase and what all cleaning duties you need to complete.

• Not looking up Saturday is almost over, but you’re done cleaning the kitchen. The floor is sparkling. The countertops are glistening. It’s a hard day’s work done, but something’s amiss. You look up, just now realizing that you forgot to clean the ceiling. As you wipe down the dusty fan blades and light fixtures, dirt and muck begin falling all over the living space. Now you have to start your kitch- fields. The candidate must be a resident of Hampden County, demonstrate financial need and have adequate academic standing. High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate college students are eligible for consideration. For additional information and to request a copy of the application contact Jane Glushik at SGCscholarship@gmail. com or Elizabeth Tongue at 413-627-5503. Scholarship applications are to be completed and meet the submission deadline of March 31 to be eligible for consideration.

AGAWAM Garden Club scholarship

The Agawam Garden Club is offering their annual scholarship to a graduating senior of Agawam High School or a college student who graduated from Agawam High School. One of the following majors qualify: botany, environmental engineering, environmental science, earth systems, forest en cleaning all over again. When performing spring cleaning, always start from the top of the room and work your way down. This will not only ensure that no grime or dust make their way into spaces you have already cleaned, but will also help make sure no dirty spots go uncleaned.

• Expecting to clean the entire home in one day management, natural resources, plant soil & insect science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable horticulture or food & farming, turf grass science and management, landscape design and management technology, clean energy, technology studies: wastewater, or other environmental studies not mentioned above. Interested applicants must submit the following required documents: a copy of high school transcript and a copy of college acceptance letter for high school seniors, copy of all college/university transcripts for a college student who graduated from Agawam High School, two references, and a completed scholarship application which includes a paragraph on who or what was most influential in your commitment to intended major, how this scholarship would impact your future goals, and post college graduation plans. Applications are available at the Agawam High School Guidance office or online at https://agawamgardenclub. com. Documents should be mailed to Denise Carmody, Secretary, Agawam Garden Club, 40 Primrose Lane, Agawam, MA 01001 and must be received by April 1.

Deep cleaning is a serious business, so never assume you will be able to clean your entire home in just one day. Dedicating an entire day to cleaning often leads to fatigue, which leads to cut corners and other mistakes during the cleaning process. Instead, set aside designated cleaning time each week to tackle individual cleaning goals, such as individual rooms. Within a month, your home will be sparkling like never before. 2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc. com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

WEST SPRINGFIELD Garden Club scholarship

The West Springfield Garden Club has announced that two $1,000 scholarships are available to qualifying high school senior students during the spring of 2023. Applicants must be a resident of West Springfield and be a current student with a minimum “B” average or better in science related courses. They must submit a written 1-page document which demonstrates their plans for after high school graduation in any of the below-mentioned fields and how the grant will assist in their career choice. Scholarships are available for students with a focus of study in one or more of the following areas: horticulture, agriculture, ecology, botany, environmental studies, landscape design or forestry. Eligible candidates will submit their completed application and written entry to the WSHS Guidance Office no later than April 14. Please pick up instructions and application forms from the WSHS Guidance Department. The successful candidates will be notified via mail in mid-May.

MONSON Garden Club scholarship

The Monson Garden Club has announced that two $500 scholarships are available to high school seniors who reside in Monson and plan to continue school at a 2- or 4-year college to study in any branch of the life, natural, or environmental sciences. Applications with instructions may be obtained through their school guidance office and are due by April 28.

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