How to Actually Clean Your Mattress

'Tis the season to purge, tackle those cluttered closets, and deep clean *everything* in sight. Follow my Spring into Clean series with Brit + Co through March and April for tips, hacks, and tricks. Happy (spring) cleaning, all!

Our bedrooms are designed to be places of peace, solitude, rest, and relaxation. But when they're cluttered up with stuff, it is absolutely impossible to feel any of those feels. To turn your bedroom into a relaxing sanctuary, you're going to need to purge, and you can even donate your unwanted items to your nearest women's shelter. Once you finally declutter, you'll have a space you won't ever want to leave.

1. Books, Magazines, and Newspapers: Yes, reading in bed is fun. However, rolling over to a stack of magazines, crumpled-up newspapers, or a pile of books is no way to wake up (especially on a Monday). Remove anything that's outdated or that you're not going to read (and try to be honest with yourself). I once kept a book desk-side that detailed very technical financial models and advice. I told myself that keeping it by my bed would give me the urge to read it and all of my financial woes would be gone. Eventually, I got rid of the book and I'm doing just fine, thanks. Mind you, it did help put me to sleep…

2. Clothing You Don't Wear: If your room is full of clothing you don't need, you can't make room for the things you do. Plus, it wastes your time when trying to put an outfit together. Who wants to sift through tons of meh pieces anyway? Trust me on this: It might be a hard pill to swallow, but bidding farewell to stuff that you don't wear makes all the difference in a bedroom. You can also check out our guide on how to declutter your closet.

3. Old Pillows and Blankets: Bedding isn't wine — we don't appreciate it more as it ages. Not only do these items feel old, but they are usually stained, filled with dust mites, stinky (thanks to body oils, sweat, and dust), and uncomfortable. Treat yourself to new bedding if your current set is looking (and smelling) worn.

4. Anything Work or Business-Related: Receipts, reports, projects, and presentations have no place in the bedroom. Move your work items to any other location in your home. Honestly, there's no way to relax when you are sleeping right beside your taxes or big presentation.

5. Old Accessories: How many times have you passed over that glitzy necklace, giant-brimmed hat, or bold sunglasses that you keep telling yourself you'll wear one day? Probably a lot. That's your cue to say goodbye to these items. Bundle them up and give them to a young lady who may enjoy them for dress-up purposes, or drop them off at a donation center and allow someone else to get true enjoyment from them.

6. That Clutter-Holding Chair: The clutter chair is so infamous that it should be on the FBI's most wanted list. Getting rid of it means that means you'll no longer have a place to throw your unorganized pile of half-clean clothing. Instead, invest in a stylish ladder where you can neatly hang half-worn clothing or lay out outfits for the day ahead. If you're not sure you can break the pile habit, tell it to take a hike and place the chair (or rack, or table) outside your room.

If you're looking for more cleaning tips and tricks, tune in next week for a new video on Melissa Maker's Spring into Clean series. And be sure to check out her Clean My Space Youtube and her book, Clean My Space.

Shoot us your purging, organizing, and tidying-up questions on Twitter!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

'Tis the season to purge, tackle those cluttered closets, and deep clean *everything* in sight. Follow my Spring into Clean series with Brit + Co through March and April for tips, hacks, and tricks. Happy (spring) cleaning, all!

Every time I scroll through my Instagram feed, I am amazed by all the beautifully curated kitchens and perfectly organized fridges. In my reality (and yours?), the refrigerator is anything but. Since it holds all our fruits, veggies, and leftovers, the appliance is bound to build up some grime, clutter, and countless jars of who knows what. Before you shove those year-old condiments toward the back, make time to give your fridge the spring cleaning it deserves. Hit the reset button and pitch the following seven items (or more!), and be sure to wipe shelves down before you put everything back.

1. Old Baking Soda: Baking soda left in the fridge for the purpose of deodorizing has a shelf life of three months. Once done, it can still be used to scour a sink or exfoliate your lips, but the deodorizing power is gone, gone, gone. So set a reminder on your phone and replace it every three months.

2. Jarred Sauces: Half-used jars of tomato sauce, salsa, tapenade, and pesto need to get the boot if they've been lingering for more than six months. Let's all avoid that unpleasant experience of opening a fuzzy jar of mystery gunk, okay?

3. Tomatoes, Avocados, Potatoes, Onions, and Garlic: None of these live in the fridge. Ever. To preserve them, keep the tomatoes and avocado on the counter and the potatoes, onions, and garlic in a cool, dark place. When your tomatoes and avocados are ripened enough, you may refrigerate them for a day or so. Any longer and strange things start to happen (think: awkward textures).

4. Specialty Foods: We've all been there — a three-hour Pinterest binge inspired you to make Pad Thai and source the most authentic fish sauce and Thai chilies you could find. Next thing you know, you've got a small shelf in your fridge dedicated to all things Thai. Next month, your new culinary obsession becomes Indian and Thai food is left holding the bag (err, sitting in the fridge). Find those foods, get really honest about them, and ditch what you don't use on the regular. If it is still good, offer it to a friend who you know will be thrilled to use it up.

5. Opened Wine, Soda, and Juice: Wine should never go in the fridge (meaning, you should drink *all* the wine). But in the event you just want a glass, remember that wine doesn't keep well after even a few days in the fridge. If you intend to cook with it, sure, keep it there until you can use it up. Otherwise, dump it. Half-consumed juice and opened bottles of soda should also get tossed. Soda usually goes bad within a week and juice (without an expiration date) should be dumped after one month or so.

6. Old Condiments and Dressings: Find all of your old condiments and determine if they need to go (check the expiration date; do a taste or smell test — if you dare). Ditch anything old or expired and find ways to use up almost-empty condiments fast. You could add salad dressing ingredients to an almost empty jar of mustard. Or create marinades using the same principle. This goes for things like mayo, mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, salad dressings, etc.

7. Old Pickled Stuff: You know those jars of pickles and olives with three olives suspended in brine sitting in the back of your fridge. They're like something out of a haunted apothecary shop. So when will they ever appeal to you? Get rid of one-off pickled items by making a salad with them. A friend's dad used to make a salad for us with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, and olives, and it was divine. You can then use the brine for chicken and finally get rid of those jars. Pickled items which are store-bought are good for 1-2 years, but if you've got a few left in the jar, use it up and move on.

Aside from purging the usual suspects like deli meats, old cheese, leftovers, and cleaning the crisper drawers, ridding your fridge of these items will no doubt give you the clean and serene fridge shelves you've been dreaming of. It takes under 30 minutes to do this and it makes your kitchen feel clean from the inside out. Good luck!

If you're looking for more cleaning tips and tricks, tune in next week for a new video on my Spring into Clean series. And be sure to check out the Clean My Space Youtube and my recently published book, Clean My Space.

What cleaning tips do you hope Melissa Maker will share in her Spring into Clean series? Shoot us your purging, organizing, and tidying-up questions on Twitter!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Have you ever wondered why it seems some women always have the best friendships? We're talking about on the level of Sex and the Cityor Insecure. It's debatable whether some of those friends are toxic or not, but that's another story. The point is, it seems like some women have the best luck when it comes to building fun and supportive platonic relationships.

Are there unique qualities women in this position share? According to friendship coach Zoe Asher and licensed therapist Nicolle Osequeda, the answer is yes! Asher is host of the top-rated Accidentally Intentional podcast while Osequeda is the owner and founder of Lincoln Park Therapy Group, giving them an inside look at how people tend to approach all types of relationships!

Let's dive in!

Here are the unique qualities women with lots of friends share.

1. Women with a lot of friends value connection & community.

Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

The one thing everyone with a solid group of friends can agree on is how it feels like you've built your own supportive community. Friends are often the first people we turn to with good or bad news, or the ones we simply want to go on adventures with. Osequeda says, "Women with strong friendship circles often value connection, community, and the power of vulnerability."

There's a realization that women in this unique position are able to "recognize that life is richer with a support system," says Osequeda. This involves "people who will listen, validate, and be there through both the highs and lows" she adds. From the friend who stayed up with you all night after a bad breakup to the one who cheered the loudest at your graduation, women who have a huge friend circle know that life feels better when we can connect with others.

Based on her experience as a therapist, she's "observed how women start friendships by gradually sharing layers of themselves." This can look like "having children at the same school or bonding over shared interests," she adds. This vulnerability is important because it creates a foundation that signals to women they've found their tribe.

4. These women also don't mind making new friends.

Elina Fairytale/Pexels

While making friends as adults shouldn't be hard, it definitely doesn't mean it comes easily. From overthinking to social anxiety, there's so many reasons why we struggle. Also, this idea we're doing fine without friends isn't exactly helpful or positive. Asher says, "The CDC has said that the impacts of loneliness on our bodies are more harmful than smoking 15 cigarettes A DAY! Making time for quality friendships (and the pursuit of it) is just as important for your physical state as working out is."

Where should you start if you want to forge new friendships? Osequeda says, "Start within communities that already resonate with you — whether it’s your child’s school, your workplace, a gym, dog park or a shared hobby. Places where you already belong create natural opportunities to connect." She even suggests giving "apps like Bumble BFF or local meet-up groups" a chance because they "can also help you find like-minded friends." But don't think you're limited to this!

Though Asher agrees that women tend to approach "friendships by trying to find commonalities right from the beginning," she says you don't have to confine yourself to this formula. "The reason I don't think this is best is because we are boxing ourselves in when we do this. The greatest friends could be on the other side of the stereotypes we're creating," she notes. Taking it a step further, Asher shared her own experience with this. "I watched all 3 of my best friends get married and have kids all before I ever got married. On the outside, most women would think 'They don’t have anything in common.' But on the inside, the character traits and values we each were looking for were mutual, and that became a more important compass for our friendship than the stage in life we were each in."

She was even surprised she'd become close to her best friends because of how things looked externally. "We had nothing in common, but I'm so glad I didn't box myself in," she says excitedly.