While this winter was not awful, we are certainly glad to see it go and warmly welcome spring. Part of the ritual, as we prepare for Easter, Passover and warmer weather, and enjoy March Madness, is spring cleaning. Here are a few quick tips.
- Give your doormats a good shaking or vacuuming to get rid of the debris and dirt that accumulated during the winter.
- Clean your carpets and upholstery. Start by vacuuming, using a HEPA vacuum to remove allergens and impurities as well as dust and dirt. Then give them a deep cleaning with shampoo. Make sure you move the furniture so you hit 100% of the area. Not only will this make your carpets and upholstery look better, it will improve your indoor air quality. Finally, use a protective furniture spray and carpet sealant to guard against spills.
- Wax or apply a sealer to your floors. You can use a combination wash and wax floor cleaner to make it easy. If you have wood floors, apply a wood cleaner and then use liquid or past polish to add a new coating.
- Wash your walls, cabinets, baseboards and woodwork. You can use a sponge and hand dishwashing detergent. A sponge mop can help you reach tougher spots. And use two buckets – one for the dishwashing solution and the other for wringing your sponge.
- Clean ceiling fixtures and vents. Just use a cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.
- Clean your light fixtures. Use any all-purpose cleaner to sponge your light fixtures. Don’t forget your skylights either, which may require extended-reach dust and dirt tools.
- Clean your refrigerator coils. Use a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose. Then to remove dust from the back of the refrigerator, pull the refrigerator out a few feet and vacuum thoroughly.
- While you are at the refrigerator, clean the inside with a combination of salt and soda water. Throw out any old food.
- Clean your glass shower doors with a rain-repellent car windshield cleaner. These products create an invisible barrier that causes water, oils and soap suds to bead and roll off.
- Seal your stone countertops (even if they were sealed when installed) to prevent stains from liquids such as red wine and juice. The sealer repels stains by causing the liquid to bead instead of getting absorbed.
- Throw stuff away. Some of the easier things to get rid of are old items in your pantry and cosmetics. Harder projects include going through the basement and attic.
