16 Spring Cleaning Tips

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Spring is here, which means it’s time to get your home in tip-top shape. A good, deep spring clean-up is a tradition that not only promotes wellness by keeping your environment clean and organized, it also helps carry the fresh-start feeling brought on by a new year well into the summer.

Follow this checklist to clean your home and get all of your appliances and rooms in order.

1Windows – Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the house, as direct sun can lead to streaks. Raise your blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster. Finish by vacuuming the fabric shades and drapes.

2. Microwave – To finally clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all, Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar and stick it inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for five minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe the inside and outside with a sponge.

3. Countertops – Dig out the granite polish to restore shine and help repel stains on your kitchen surfaces. For daily wipe-downs, use a specialized cleaner, like granite and/or stone cleaner and polish.

4. Fridge – In addition to wiping down your fridge’s interior shelving regularly, give the removable bins and shelves a deep clean every now and again. Pop-out the door shelves and bins and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage.

5. Pots and Pans – Remove softened, burned-on residue by adding water and dish liquid to your cookware and letting it simmer on the stove. Use a scrub sponge or pad to remove any remaining stuck-on bits.

6. Indoor Furniture – Pull furniture away from walls and vacuum behind and under them. Don’t forget to do the woodwork and air vents while you’re back there. Then switch the upholstery tool on your machine to go over both sides of cushions and underneath them. The crevice tool is a great way to remove any gunk along with the trim and stitching.

7. Outdoor Furniture – With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to get your outdoor furniture ready for lounging. To do this, add a squirt of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, then wipe down tables and chairs. Spray them down with water and then let air dry.

8Bookshelves – After all of those cozy winter reading sessions, your library may require some cleanup. Take a few minutes to organize your coffee table books, bedside novels, or favorite magazines. You can alphabetize, coordinate by color, or sort by size. Make sure you dust the shelves before putting anything back in its place.

9. Ceiling fans – Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you forget about during the rest of the year. Go ahead and grab an extendable duster and clean ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, moldings, and more.

10. Bedding – It’s also time to tackle bulky items you typically avoid, like pillows and comforters. You only need to clean these items two or three times a year, so they should always be at the top of your list during spring cleaning season. Make sure you check the manufacturer’s label before tossing ’em into the washing machine.

11. Mattress – Press firmly with your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean the top and sides. After vacuuming, sanitize your mattress with a disinfectant spray like Lysol. You can also use a garment steamer or iron to kill dust mites near the surface. Vacuum afterward.

12. Closet – Go through any clothes and shoes in your closet and remove anything stained, in need of repair, or worn out. Make a second pass through spring and summer clothes as you take them out of storage. Try on anything you’re unsure about before giving it closet space.

13. Washing Machine – Before you start to notice an odor in your appliance, freshen it up by adding bleach and turning on the special washer cleaning cycle on your machine or using a washing machine cleaner.

14. Dryer – According to the national fire protection association, More than 15,000 fires start in-home laundry rooms every year. Beyond removing the fuzz from your dryer’s filter after every load, pull out hard-to-reach lint with the crevice tool on your vacuum to suck up debris. Vacuum under, around, and behind the dryer as well.

15. Phone and Other Electronics – Your cell phone probably harbors more germs than your toilet seat. Once you power down your phone, wipe it with a microfiber cloth followed by a Lysol wipe. Let it air dry for five minutes before wiping it dry with a paper towel or microfiber cloth once more. This same method works well with other electronics, like your TV remote and computer mouse.

16. Vacuum – Yes, you have to clean your vacuums as well. Replace the bag, clean the dust cup, and replace or wash the filters. Snip threads snarled in the brush with scissors or a seam ripper.

Follow these spring cleaning tips to make your season change a breeze. And, if it’s warm enough, open the windows, and let the fresh air in as you freshen up your home. When your work is done, not only will the sun be shining, but your house will too.