READY FOR SPRING?
As winter fades, March is the perfect moment for a fresh start. It’s the season for clearing out closets, tending to early garden plans, and giving our homes—and routines—a little extra attention. This month, Talk of the Town embraces the spirit of spring with ideas for resetting your wardrobe, giving back, and getting a jump on the growing season.
With warmer weather on the way, this is the time to reset your wardrobe. After months of heavy layers, boots, and sweaters worn on repeat, cleaning and reorganizing your closet can make getting dressed feel lighter, simpler, and more enjoyable.
Begin by giving winter pieces a proper send-off. Coats, sweaters, and scarves should be washed or dry-cleaned before being stored, even if they don’t look dirty. Lingering oils, odors, or invisible stains can set over time, attracting moths and shortening the life of your clothes. After items are cleaned, take a moment to refresh them—remove sweater pills, replace missing buttons, or set aside anything that could benefit from a quick tailoring visit.
When it’s time to store winter wear, choose a cool, dark, well-ventilated space. Breathable cotton garment bags or fabric storage bins are far better than plastic, which can trap moisture. Tuck lavender or cedar sachets among folded items to keep everything smelling fresh and pest-free. For bulky knits, vacuum-sealed bags can save space, though it’s best to avoid them for delicate natural fibers.
Spring cleaning is also a chance to declutter with intention. If you haven’t worn something in a year, it may be time to let it go. Items that are permanently stained, damaged, or no longer fit your style can be donated, recycled, or discarded responsibly. The reward is a closet that feels curated, breathable, and ready for the season ahead—making room not just for spring clothes, but for a spring mindset as well.
Early spring is an exciting time for gardeners. While the last Chicago frost is usually not until late April, hardy cold-tolerant vegetables can be planted this month as soon as the soil can be worked. A little patience—and attention to the forecast—goes a long way at this time of year.
Kale and spinach are both well-suited to early spring planting. Both thrive in cool temperatures and can tolerate light frost. They also do beautifully in containers with good drainage and quality potting mix, so even the smallest outdoor urban space can yield a fresh harvest. If temperatures dip unexpectedly, a simple fabric cover or moving containers closer to a building can offer protection.
Other cool-season crops such as lettuce, radishes, and peas can be sown in early spring, giving you fresh salads and snappy veggies well before summer hits. If you want to get a jump on summer vegetables, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, and squash can be started from seed indoors in March—and transplanted into the ground once warmer weather arrives in May.
Spring gardening is as much about anticipation as action—planning beds, prepping containers, and enjoying the first green shoots of the year sets the tone for a rewarding season ahead.
Spring cleaning isn’t just about refreshing your own space—it’s also a chance to give back to the community. As you declutter closets, rooms, and storage areas, donating gently used items can make a meaningful difference, keeping useful goods out of landfills while supporting neighbors across Chicago.
World Relief Chicago works with refugees and immigrant families rebuilding their lives. Their current top needs include strollers, adult bicycles, tower lamps, and other furniture items. Drop-off locations are available in both Chicago and DuPage County.
In the Brighton Park neighborhood, the Chicago Furniture Bank helps bridge the gap between those who have extra furniture and those who need it most. Beds, couches, tables, chairs, lamps, rugs, and even artwork are assembled into full furnishing packages that turn empty apartments into livable homes.
Operated by Howard Brown Health with locations in Lakeview and Andersonville, Brown Elephant Resale Shops accept fashion, furniture, and household goods—with proceeds supporting LGBTQ+ healthcare and services for the uninsured and under-insured.
If your spring cleaning involves major renovation work, you can donate building materials, cabinets, furniture, and appliances to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They have two Chicago stores and all proceeds fund their affordable housing efforts across the city.
Spring cleaning often focuses on the big tasks, but small, overlooked items can make your home feel truly refreshed.
Clean your kitchen sponge: One of the most bacteria-laden items in the home, sponges can be sanitized by soaking in a mild bleach solution, rinsing with vinegar, or microwaving (while damp) for one minute.
Wash reusable grocery bags: Fabric and insulated bags collect bacteria from food packaging and repeated use. Toss washable bags in the laundry and wipe down insulated ones with warm, soapy water or antibacterial wipes.
Refresh cleaning tools: Replace or launder cleaning cloths and mop heads, and wipe down vacuum attachments to start the season with cleaning tools that are actually clean.
