Tips for Spring Cleaning
Are you getting ready to sell your home or just looking to freshen up your living space? Spring cleaning is a great place to start. Below are tips on how to declutter, organize, and deep clean your home to make it look its best. From tackling the kitchen to decluttering your closets, these tips will help you make your home shine. Get your home ready to impress potential buyers or just enjoy a more organized living space this spring.
Clean the Refrigerator and Freezer
Unplug and sort through the contents. Discard anything past its prime. Add baking soda to the water to deodorize surfaces.
A TIP FOR THE FRIDGE: Clean the gaskets on the doors with a gallon of soapy water mixed with one cup bleach or rub them with baking soda.
Clean Windows
Use a soft brush to clean off dust, cobwebs, and dirt. Wash windows inside and out with a squeegee and rag.Choose a cloudy day (if possible) – the sun’s heat can dry windows too fast, creating streaks. Use warm soapy water to scrub each window screen with a brush.
Dust
Get to all the places that are out of the way or hard to reach. Doorframes, fans, bookshelves (and everything on them). Work from the ceiling down and vacuum the dust that settles to the floor.
Renew Cushions
Rotate and flip mattresses. Thoroughly vacuum them and the box springs. Sofa and chair cushions should also be flipped if their design and construction allows.
Reorganize the Linen Closet
Wool blankets and down comforters should be aired, then washed or sent out to be cleaned before being put away for the season. Tablecloths should be stored un-ironed so that the fabric will not weaken along the creases.
Replace Filters
Vacuum and clean grates (and coils and condensers, if applicable) on furnaces, refrigerators, stoves, and air conditioners. Remove filters in furnaces and air conditioners, and either clean or replace them.
Deep Clean Rugs
Start with vacuuming. Many area rugs can be machine-washed. Air others on a clothesline; beat dirt and dust from them with a tennis racket, then shampoo at home or send out to a cleaner.
A TIP FOR USING THE VACUUM: Before heavy vacuuming, clean the machine. Cut away threads from the rotating beater, replace the motor’s belt if stretched and install a new bag.
Perform a Safety Check
Check smoke detector batteries frequently; replace every six months. Also check batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and flashlights; inspect pressure gauges on fire extinguishers.
Freshen Curtains
Take down shades and curtains. Most fabrics will need to be handled by a dry cleaner. Those that can be cleaned at home should be either lightly steamed in place or hand-washed. Line dry in the shade.
Sort Through Wardrobes
Separate clothes into piles: off-season, give away, dry cleaner, tailor. Make sure clothing is clean and mended before putting back in the closet or away for longer storage. Invest in good hangers and garment bags that breathe.
A TIP FOR THE CLOSET: Tuck acid-free tissue paper into the folds of clothing to prevent deep wrinkles and to keep brown spots from settling.
Clean Walls
Start by using a vacuum to remove dust and debris. Wipe down using your preferred household cleaner or soapy water.
