Spring has finally arrived, and while Mother Nature is still giving us cold rainy and windy weather on some days, spring is definitely in the air. Now is the perfect time to start your annual spring cleaning time. Let us help you with these easy and quick spring cleaning and decluttering tips that will make your home sparkle and shine.
Junk Drawer
Once you empty out your junk drawer, suck out dust and crumbs with your vacuum’s nozzle. Toss or relocate any items you no longer need or that don’t belong there. Everything else goes back, but this time in an organized manner by repurposing old bowls and plates you no longer want to store cords, stamps, and other odds and ends. A nonslip liner will also help keep everything in place.
Stainless Steel Appliances
To make your stainless steel surface sparkle again, mix a solution of 1 qt hot tap water and 1 tsp dish detergent. Using a microfiber cloth, rub the detergent solution onto the marks in small sections, going with the grain. Rinse with clean hot water and dry immediately with a clean cloth.
Shower Curtains
Stick vinyl or plastic shower curtains along with a few bath towels on the gentle cycle with your favorite detergent. Let it hang dry before showering. To keep the curtain cleaner longer, spritz it a few times each month with a bleach containing an all-purpose cleaner. Then just let the shower rinse it off before you hop in.
Shower Drain
To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will start to foam and bubble. Let it stand for no more than 15 minutes. Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
Shower Head
Looking for more natural ways to clean your bathroom? Vinegar can dissolve the mineral deposits that accumulate in showerheads over time, causing reduced pressure and water flow. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and leave it overnight to get rid of buildup. Just be sure to run the shower before you hop in, or you risk smelling like vinegar all day!
Vacuum
Yes, you have to clean your vacuum. Replace the bag first, clean the dust cup, and replace or wash the filters. Snip threads snarled in the brush with scissors or a seam ripper.
Furniture
Pull furniture away from walls and vacuum behind and under it. And while you are at it, do the air vents and the woodwork while you’re back there. Then switch the upholstery tool on your machine to go over both sides of the couch and chair cushions and underneath them. And the crevice tool is a great way to remove any gunk along the trim and stitching.
Curtains
Put your dryer to work and toss drapes, curtains, and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the air only cycle, then rehang immediately to avoid wrinkles.
Bookshelves
Take a few minutes to organize your coffee table books, bedside novels, or favorite magazines. You can alphabetize, coordinate by color, or sort by size. However, be sure you dust the shelves before putting anything back in its place.
Ceiling Fixtures
Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you forget about during the rest of the year, so grab an extendable duster and attack ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, and moldings.
Kids’ Toys
Don’t overlook the convenience of your dishwasher, especially if you have a box full of plastic children’s toys that need a quick clean. Just choose the crystal or quick cycle and skip the heated dry. And for stuffed animals, check the care tag first and then stick them in a pillowcase before throwing in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. A quick once over with a lint roller can help too.
Bedding
With pillows and comforters, you only need to clean these items two or three times a year, so they should be at the top of your list during spring cleaning season. But make sure you check the manufacturer’s label before tossing them into the washing machine.
Closet
Go through clothes and shoes from the season that’s just ended and remove anything stained, in need of repair, or worn out. Make another pass through spring and summer clothes as you take them out of storage. Try on anything you’re unsure about before giving it ample closet space.