Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks

The sun is shining; the birds are chirping. The air is fresh; we feel lighter leaving our jackets at home. Flowers are blooming…why does all of this give us a sudden urge to get our homes into tip-top shape? I do not know where “spring cleaning” originated but I think spring is the perfect time to get my house clean and fresh with the change of season. We are ready to open the windows and get our house ready for summer. The task can seem overwhelming but there are some quick and easy tricks to get your house spotless and ready for the new season!

Windows:

Wash windows inside and out. Wipe down the sills. Clean screens with soap and water. Remove your drapes and run them in the dryer with a damp towel: the damp towel attracts the dust. Re-hang right away. Wipe blinds with a damp cloth.

Dust:

Take the time to give attention to all those places that were neglected throughout the winter. Remove all items off of shelves and tabletops. Check out the ceiling fans, baseboards, crevices, doorways and corners…and most especially under all furniture! Always move from the top of the room to the bottom, leaving the dust that settles on the floor for last.

Garbage Cans:

Spray your garbage cans with a hose; remove the water. Then, spray the inside with a disinfectant spray. Rinse and let dry (upside down works faster!) This works for both indoor and outdoor cans.

Floors:

Deep clean your floors, including your carpets.

Kitchen:

Make your appliances sparkle! Did you know Pledge works miracles on stainless steel?! Use a toothbrush to remove clean around the burners on the stove top. Wipe up major spills and then set  the self-clean feature on your oven. Set your oven to self-clean. Clean inside your refrigerator and freezer. Organize your cabinets and pantry and throw out any expired foods.

Bathroom

Spray a generous amount of bathroom spray to your shower and bathroom walls. While the spray is sitting, clean the sinks, toilets, shower heads and faucets. Go back to the walls now that the cleaner has set and scrub away!

Bedrooms

Vacuum your mattresses and flip them! This helps to extend the life of your mattress and prevent sagging.

Outside 

Wash outdoor furniture. Mild dishwashing soap should work for most materials, but check your labels to be certain.

Safety

Most importantly, ensure fire safety. Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. This is a good time to have a family meeting to review fire escape plans.

Spring cleaning can be time consuming and can take a few days, several weekends or a week. Either way, make sure you ask your family members for help and delegate specific tasks! Having a specific plan, such as starting from inside to outside or the attic to the basement, may help you focus on one task at a time. Once your house is spotless and sparkling, you will be ready to enjoy the spring weather!