It might not seem like spring cleaning is something common to the work place. But this time of year constitutes a great time to organize and reduce clutter not only for homeowners, but also businesses.

Here are some spring cleaning tips to ensure businesses remain in tip-top shape for the year ahead:

Touch up paint and make sure the property looks presentable inside and out. Inside, touch up chipped paint by using leftover paint or purchasing the right amount of paint for the job to make sure the building presents well. Clean up the exterior of the building. Remove debris, tend to landscaping and ensure lights function properly.

Swap out light bulbs. Walk through the building and replace burnt out incandescent light bulbs with efficient light-emitting diode bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED bulbs use 25 percent to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last three to 25 times longer. Moreover, LED bulbs offer the same natural looking light as incandescent bulbs.

Ensure air filters are clean and consider upgrading old heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.According to the National Air Filtration Association, the decision to upgrade air filtration should be based on the building and architectural and engineering features as well as cost, feasibility and occupants.Effective air filtration can improve indoor air quality and in turn worker health and productivity.

Check key components and systems in the building. Switch out fire alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries or have the company that performs these services check that everything works properly. Do this in the spring and fall to ensure alarms don’t go off due to low batteries and help prevent other systems from failing, too.

Declutter storage spaces by recycling unwanted paint. Once touchups are completed, properly dispose of leftover paint cluttering the basement or storage spaces through the free PaintCare program. There are five paint recycling drop-off sites in Grand Junction and more than 190 across Colorado. To recycle small amounts, businesses can take paint to one of the local drop-off sites that can be found using the PaintCare’s site locator tool and entering a ZIP code. Before bringing paint to a drop-off site, call to check on business hours and make the site accepts the types and amounts of paint you’d like to recycle. For businesses that have a large amount of unwanted paint — 100 or more gallons — PaintCare offers free pickup services.

Make sure any remaining stored paint remains fresh for touchups.

An unopened can of paint can last a long time if it’s stored in a dry, cool, dark place. Don’t leave paint cans in sunlight, outdoors or damp locations.

When opening the can, use a paint key. A screwdriver could bend, distort, or otherwise damage the lid, making it difficult to reseal airtight. When putting the lid back on the can, tap it with a rubber mallet instead of pounding it with a hammer. If you don’t have a mallet, place a piece of wood, old book or even a thick magazine between the hammer and lid and then carefully tap it down.

Spring cleaning not only keeps businesses looking and feeling fresh, but also provides a time frame to complete maintenance projects that otherwise might be put off. This year, add these spring cleaning tips to your to-do list.

Kevin Lynch is manager for the PaintCare Colorado program. A nonprofit organization created by paint manufacturers, PaintCare sets up drop-off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal and conducts public education. Since its launch in 2015, the PaintCare Colorado program has managed a total of more than 5 million gallons of paints, stains and varnishes. For more information, visit
www.paintcare.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @WeRecyclePaint.