Spring is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to deep clean your home. According to an American Cleaning Institute survey, as many as 72 percent of households complete spring cleaning every year, with cleaning windows, blinds, curtains, clothing, closets, and drawers at the top of their to-do lists. Learn how to control the chaos and dust bunnies in every room of your home with the following spring cleaning tips:
1. Windows and Blinds
Let the light in this spring with sparkling clean windows. Instead of using a newspaper or a cloth, Martha Stewart suggests using a squeegee with a rubber edge, along with dish soap and water to wash your windows. When cleaning wood blinds, it’s recommended that you use a sponge and a few drops of wood cleaner, and aluminum blinds should be scrubbed with water and a noncorrosive cleaner, and then dried with a towel to prevent rust.
2. Fabrics and Upholstery
Change up your home decor by adding new bedding, pillows, dish towels, bath towels, and tablecloths with bold colors and patterns. Your sofa is exposed to plenty of spills throughout the year, so take this time to spot treat it. Start by vacuuming it with an attachment. If you have a microfiber sofa, you may need to use a dab of hand sanitizer to remove stains, while others may require a specific stain-removing product. If you’re unsure, check the tags on your sofa or call a professional cleaner for advice.
3. Rugs and Carpets
Vacuum once a week, and be sure to take your shoes off indoors to keep the dust and dirt away. When spring cleaning, use a steam cleaner to remove any stains. Dust off your area rugs and hang them on a clothesline or railing to air out, advises Good Housekeeping.
Don’t neglect your rugs when spring cleaning.
Image Source: Flickr
4. Dust
Dust mites tend to settle in the places that you don’t normally think of cleaning. Using a duster or damp rag, dust off all of those neglected surfaces and objects such as baseboards, light fixtures, ceiling fans, wall frames, decorative objects, and book displays. Don’t forget to replace your air filters every three months in order to keep your home dust- and allergen-free, and wash your bedding and stuffed animals weekly, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
5. Clothing
Now that winter is over, it’s time to switch out your wardrobe. Wash all your winter sweaters, hats, gloves, and coats, and stash them away in storage containers for next season. Weed through the items that you no longer wear and donate them if they’re still wearable. Organize your closet so you can access your spring and summer clothes more easily, categorizing them by clothing type or color.
6. Kitchen
Throw out any foods that are expired or past their prime, and clean out your refrigerator and pantry. Empty your refrigerator and scrub down every shelf, door handle, and surface so it’s free of spills and grime. Wipe clean or replace your shelf liners, and reorganize your pantry shelves so that every item is easy to find. HGTV recommends using a mixture of salt and soda water for a natural, effective cleaner.
Likewise, go through your kitchen cupboards, get rid of any broken or unused dishes, and clean the shelves. Stack and arrange your dishes in an orderly fashion so they look clean and organized, but can still be grabbed quickly and easily.
Take time to deep clean your kitchen and organize your cabinets.
Image Source: Flickr
Assess the state of your home and come up with a battle plan, then tackle one cleaning project at a time so you can do a thorough job without feeling overwhelmed. Restock any cleaning supplies and tools you might need, and follow these spring cleaning tips to make your home feel like new.
Featured Image Source: StockSnap
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