Spring is here, finally, and that means it’s time for some spring cleaning. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to take you all weekend, with help from these spring cleaning tips for the homeowner, you can tackle your home in hours instead of days. While some tasks are easy to do yourself, some of the larger lifting should be left to professionals.
DIY
Clean out the Fridge – Ideally the refrigerator should be thoroughly cleaned every quarter, but that isn’t always feasible. No judgement, just get to it now. Pitch anything that is out of date or hasn’t been used in several months. Empty the refrigerator of all its contents so you can easily scrub down the shelves, sides and compartments. Use warm soap and water to remove any spills and don’t forget to replace box of baking soda. Replace food items and you’re good to go.
Wash the Windows – If you have combination windows that can be removed or that fold out you’re going to have an easier time. If your windows are expansive you’ll probably need to hire a window washer. For DIY window cleaning use a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar and one gallon of water. Wipe on window to loosen and remove dried on soil. Dry with crumpled newspaper or shammy to prevent lint accumulation. Choose an overcast day to wash windows so the heat from the sun doesn’t dry out the cleanser causing streaks.
Window Treatment – Use a travel steamer to freshen fabric curtains. Use duster or vacuum with dust attachment to clean blinds.
Refresh your Mattresses – Wash bedding including duvet, duvet cover, skirt and sheets. Pillows should be laundered every three months and replaced every few years. Sprinkle baking soda on bare mattress and let sit while you launder the sheets and duvet. Before replacing sheets use a hand held vacuum to remove the baking soda.
Pantry – Similar to the fridge, toss anything that has expired or hasn’t been used in 6 months. Anything open for more than two months should be pitched, especially if you live in a humid climate.
Under the Kitchen Sink – If it hasn’t been used in a year, get rid of it. Cleansers can last, but if you don’t use them, like their scent or they just don’t work like you’d like them to, then get rid of them and free up some space.
Laundry Room – The laundry room can be the room in your house that boarders on hoarding because no one sees it and if they do, expectations are low. Get rid of cleansers, detergents etc that haven’t been used in a year. If it’s collecting dust you aren’t using it and if you aren’t using it, you’re not likely to in the future. If you’re like most people you probably have a pile of clothes that need mending and a pile of clothes for donation. If you haven’t done any mending in a year then figure you’re probablhy not going to and either donate the items or toss them if they’re beyond reasonable repair. Donate the items you’ve set aside for donation (and don’t forget to itemize them for taxes next year!).
For the Professional
Gutters – You may feel perfectly secure climbing a ladder to clean out your gutters or you may have a helpful neighbor kid who’s happy to help. If not, call a professional and even consider installing a gutter guard to prevent debris from getting in there in the first place.
Carpets – You can rent a carpet cleaning machine at the hardware store but those can be difficult to use and difficult to get up and down any stairs. This time of year there are often great deals on carpet cleaning services that can be found on Groupon. When you consider the cost to rent the machine and the time it takes to clean the carpet yourself (as well as drying the carpet) you may actually save by hiring a professional. Besides they’ll move the furniture out of the way and replace it when finished.
