Spring is almost here! Yay! That means it is the time of year to throw open the windows and start washing, sweeping and scrubbing all the rooms in your home. This is the ideal time of year to do your deep cleaning in order to keep your house looking its very best. Also, if you start now, you will be done and ready to enjoy the weather when spring arrives.
If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning your whole house, here is a handy guide to help you get started:
Kitchen
- Empty your cabinets and wipe them down. Take some time to check your spices for expiration dates and toss any that have expired. Keep a note pad nearby so you can write down what needs to be replaced.
- Clean your oven. If it is self-cleaning, make sure you have your windows open (pick a cool day for this), so that the house doesn’t get too hot. If it is not self-cleaning, create a paste with baking soda and water, cover the interior of the oven with the paste and leave it overnight. The next day, use a plastic scraper to remove the paste and grime along with it. Then wipe with a damp cloth.
- If you are able, carefully move your kitchen appliances and sweep or vacuum and mop to get rid of built-up dirt and grime.
Bathroom
- Clean the bathroom exhaust fan. It can collect dust like a ceiling fan, so give it a good cleaning to prevent mold and mildew from growing.
- Clean hairbrushes and combs by soaking them in the sink. Do the same with makeup brushes, wash them with mild soap and allow them to air dry.
- Go through your vanity drawers and get rid of any old makeup or skin care products that you no longer use or that have passed their prime.
Bedrooms
- Take mattresses off the bed to vacuum both sides of them. Then, if possible, prop them in the sunlight for a few hours. The sunlight can help kill germs. When you replace the mattresses on the bed, be sure to flip and rotate them from their previous position.
- If you don’t wash your pillows regularly, now is a great time to do it. If they are looking pretty bad, then you should replace them.
- Switch to lighter weight bedding for spring and summer. If you have been using flannel sheets and heavy comforter, change to light cotton sheets and quilt for warmer months.
Overall
- Don’t neglect your walls! They get dirty too. Use an extended duster to remove dust and cobwebs and then use a flathead mop to wipe away dirt.
- Take down curtains and wash them (following manufacturer’s instructions). Clean blinds as well. Either take them down and clean them outdoors or thoroughly clean them using appropriate cleaning materials.
- Clean your baseboards. The best way to do it is to get down on the floor and scrub them with microfiber cloth and hot, soapy water. But if getting on the floor is a deal breaker for you, they have many tools available specifically for wiping down baseboards.
Spring cleaning does not have to be an overwhelming task! Don’t try to do it all in one day. Spread it out over a few days or a weekend. And don’t do it all yourself! Get the whole family involved and you will be done before you know it!
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