There’s just something therapeutic about spring cleaning. Whether it’s that feeling of an open house or the smell of flowers in bloom, spring cleaning is not only great for the home but for your heart, soul, and health, too. We’re feeling the spring cleaning bug and wanted to share with you our favorite 2019 Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks!
Baking Soda, Vinegar, or Lemon Juice are Lifesavers
We’ve all seen or made vinegar and baking soda volcanos, but did you know these simple household ingredients will help your home sparkle?
The gentle abrasion of the baking soda helps to remove grime and odors from just about everything, while the acidity of the white vinegar or lemon juice help to cut grease and make wiping up messes easy. Also, lemons naturally bleach certain surfaces, so it’s an excellent option for bringing back the brightness of your appliances and counter-tops. Magic erasers are also a great sponge option for many of these cleaning tips.
Fresh Air
This is a great time to open the windows and let the fresh air in. It’s also important while you’re cleaning to keep the air flowing to avoid headaches and illness from the intensity of your cleaners (even natural cleaners can smell a bit strong). Open those windows, put on some music, and enjoy the spring air.
Musty Carpets
Baking soda naturally helps kick odors. Sprinkle it on affected area carpets, and let it rest while you clean the rest of the house. When you’re finished, vacuum the baking soda up off the carpet. If you’re experiencing pet odors, spray the area with a 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water blend. Let it dry before you do the baking soda sprinkle. The vinegar will neutralize the ammonia scent left by most pets – although nothing works as well as an annual professional carpet cleaning.
Kitchen
Microwave
In a microwave-safe dish, combine 1 part lemon juice and 1 part water, and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Leave the hot container in the microwave for 5 minutes letting the steam break down the gunk. After 5 minutes, carefully remove the dish, and use a sponge or washcloth to wipe away all the grime. If your microwave has a turntable, pull it out and run it through the dishwasher regularly to keep it clean.
Stovetop
Because there are many different types of cook-tops, it’s important to use the right techniques. Make sure to research how these tips will affect your surfaces before you implement them.
Here are some easy ways to clean your stove-top with items you likely already have in your house:
- A wet dryer sheet will soften up cooked on grime, and make it easy to wipe up.
- Hot lemon water solution will help brighten the surfaces and cut grease.
- Magic erasers will help remove any discoloration from strong foods.
- Burner pans and guards can be washed in the dishwasher or replaced if they’ve been damaged.
Small Appliances
Toasters, coffee makers, and other counter-top appliances tend to get a buildup of grease from the various meals prepped in your kitchen. They’re easy to overlook but simple enough to clean. Hot water and lemon juice will cut the gunk, and a magic eraser or soft sponge will help wipe them clean.
Large Appliances
These tasks may require a second person to help you move the appliances. The amount of food, toys, and small bits of life that get swept under the large appliance in your kitchen is astounding. Pulling out the fridge, oven and any other large appliances (if you can) and cleaning around them can help.
To start, sweep everything out, and then spray the floor with lemon juice and water to act as a degreaser. Mop it up, and let it dry before you push the appliance back. While the floor is drying, use a magic eraser and hot lemon water solution to scrub the sides of the appliance, especially where it meets the countertop. Food crud tends to build up here.
Dishwashers need to have the filters cleaned, and then a cleaning cycle run. Put a shallow glass dish full of white vinegar in the top rack, and baking soda in the detergent dispenser, and run a hot cycle. This will freshen up the system. Make sure to wipe down the seals with a hot cloth to remove any stuck food.
Many of these cleaning tips work great in the bathroom, too.
Declutter
Bedrooms
Go through your clothes and remove anything that’s damaged or not regularly worn, and send them off for donation. If it’s important to you, research where you donate. Many thrift stores dedicate their profits to various charity organizations, while others do not. Pick one that works with your preferences.
Out of season clothes should be packed up and put in a safe storage location for next winter. In Oregon, it’s smart to keep at least one set of cold weather clothes available all year.
In kids rooms, go through toys, throwing away broken pieces and donating toys they’ve outgrown.
Common Spaces
Store things in bins or baskets. By keeping it out of sight, it looks tidier. Blankets look Pinterest worthy tucked into a basket under an end table. Books should be stacked on shelves, with just a few out for easy access on the coffee table or end table. A basket on the coffee table or entertainment center can help contain the TV remotes, and a basket or drawer on the entertainment center hides away console controllers.
Windows
Cleaning your windows is one of the biggest culprits of chemical irritation when using traditional cleaners. Using a spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water creates a natural cleaner for your windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces. Use crumpled newspaper or a microfiber cloth to wipe your windows, patio doors, glass tabletops, mirrors, and other glossy surfaces.
Clean Your Carpets, Rugs, and Upholstery
After you have deep cleaned your home, it’s time to deep clean your carpets, area rugs, and upholstery. We’re firm believers in cleaning top to bottom, so it’s good to save the carpets for last. And of course, we recommend that you hire a professional cleaning company instead of using the machines you can rent at your local store.
We use a truck mounted hot water extraction system and have over 40 years of experience. There’s simply no amount of that winter dirt and grime we can’t tackle.
Call Today
Once you’re about halfway through your spring cleaning checklist, give us a call and schedule your cleaning. We can’t wait for you to usher in spring with a clean home. We will help you!