Tips to Make Your Spring Cleaning Easier

Spring is just around the corner and we’re all looking forward to warmer and longer days, time outside and spring cleaning (not!) Although there are many things we anticipate doing and enjoying once spring is here, spring cleaning isn’t necessarily one of them. Once it’s done, the clean house is great, but getting it done is a long, tedious project.

Due to the fact that during the winter months your house has been used, abused, tracked up, and closed up, spring cleaning is necessary. Whether you enjoy doing it or not, the end result is always great!

Everyone has a different idea of what it means to do spring cleaning, so there is no way any one article can address all that needs to be done. So I have compiled a few tips you can start on now and get a jump start.

Pre-Spring Cleaning Tips:

A great place to start is in the kitchen…

• It’s time for the left overs that got left behind to leave the fridge. Get rid of old, opened bottles of condiments, “dead” vegetables, and any other “unknowns” you may find. Remove the bins and shelves and give them a good wash, and don’t forget to wash down the walls, the door, the handle, and if you have a water dispenser, clean that area well too. Hint: try combining salt and soda water for hard to clean surfaces.
  • Once that’s done, pull the fridge away from the wall and get rid of dust and dirt build-up.
  • Don’t forget to clean the condenser coils. If dust is allowed to build up on them, it will impact how efficiently your fridge will run and could cost you big money in repair bills. Here’s a great article on how to do that .
• Not only will your microwave get dirty with spills and splatters, but it can start smelling musty. Try this trick to freshen it up…Cut 1 lemon into halves and place in water in a microwave-safe bowl. Put your microwave on high and cook for about 2 minutes. Not only will your microwave smell fresh, but the steam from the water will soften any food that has been cooked on the walls, making them easier to clean.

Spend some time in the bathroom…

• Due to stray hairs, bathroom drains often get clogged and slower draining, clean them out with your favorite drain cleaner to clean them out…even if they don’t appear clogged. By pouring boiling water down your drains every couple of months will help keep them draining freely.
• Clean out the medicine cabinet…get rid of old, expired prescription drugs (ask your local pharmacist the best way to dispose of them safely). It’s also a good time to throw away old toothbrushes that should be replaced and old make-up. (Although make-up doesn’t show an expiration date, it does expire due to the build up of bacteria)
• If you use a shower curtain, it’s probably time to either replace or clean the curtain liner. If all it needs is a light cleaning or freshening up, you can put it in your washer with a few towels to help scrub it clean, then simply hang back up to dry.

Things to do throughout the house…

• Now is a great time to clean out those garbage cans that have been the home to all kinds of garbage. Weather permitting, take them outside and hose them out. If necessary, wash the insides with warm soapy water. Let them dry outside for a little freshness. When you bring them back in, to keep them smelling fresh, sprinkle a little baking soda inside.
• Got ceiling fans? Clean the dust and build-up off the blades using furniture polish, they’ll look better and smell better.
• Do you have window screens that have collected dust and dirt? (Haven’t they all?) Use a piece of carpeting to wipe them down. You’ll be amazed at how well that works.
• Your drapes and curtains may not be dirty, but they are sure to be dusty. Take them down and throw them and a wet towel in the dryer for a few minutes. They’ll be fresh and ready to hang back up right away.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be done all at once, and you don’t have to wait until it’s officially Spring. Use these tips to get a jump start on it so you can actually enjoy Spring once it arrives.

Whether they are open or closed, there is no better way to let spring in than by having clean windows.

Let me help you with that part of your spring cleaning.

Contact me for a Complimentary quote. The products I use are safe and effective. I’ll make your windows shine and you won’t have to lift a finger.