As soon as the weather starts to get warmer and the flowers begin to bloom, you can feel your energy increasing. All of a sudden, the winter doldrums are gone, and you can feel the motivation pumping through your veins. This is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning. Capitalize on the inspiration now so that you can enjoy your sparkling, clutter-free home for the rest of the year.
Go through your house, following the steps below, to streamline your spring cleaning this year.
Bedrooms
Does your fitted sheet constantly frustrate you by shifting around and releasing itself from the mattress? Sew a short piece of elastic diagonally across each corner. You can also buy sheet suspenders, which clip onto the edges of the fitted sheet and keep them on your mattress.
Remove all of the linens from your bed and wash them. Before you put them back on, vacuum your mattress using the upholstery attachment.
Dust or vacuum blinds and curtains. Don’t forget to wipe down fan blades.
Lift the mattress and box spring off of the bed. Lean them against a wall. Vacuum thoroughly under the bed.
Bathrooms
Before you start deep cleaning, you should declutter. Remove everything from the tub, shower, and sink. Toss anything that you don’t need.
Once the surfaces are clear, you can wipe them down with a good disinfectant. Don’t forget to shine the faucets and knobs.
Want to go all-natural? A mixture of white vinegar and water is a powerful substitute for chemical-based cleaners. You’ll find plenty of uses for it.
If mineral buildup is making these accessories look cloudy, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a plastic bag. Wrap the bag around the showerhead or faucet, securing it with an elastic band. Wait at least one hour and up to overnight. Then, remove the bag, and wipe the faucet clean.
Clean the garbage cans outside using a mixture of one cup water and ½ cup vinegar. Rinse them and let them dry in the sun.
Launder bath mats and fabric shower curtains. Replace your shower curtain liners.
Scrub the exterior of the toilet. You might need to use an old toothbrush to get in all of the crevices. Don’t forget to unsnap the hinge covers at the back of the seat and clean inside of them.
Kitchen
Fill your kitchen sink to the brim with water. Add a few cups of white vinegar. Allow the solution to soak for an hour. Then, drain the sink. Rinse it with fresh water, and dry it with a microfiber towel so that it shines. Run a few slices of lemon rind through the disposal to remove foul odors.
Get rid of the caked-on stains in your microwave. Place a mug filled with water and a few tablespoons of vinegar inside. Run the microwave on high power for about three minutes. When the water is boiling and the microwave door is steamy on the inside, turn it off. After waiting 15 minutes, open the door and wipe down the interior of the appliance.
Clean out your fridge. If that task seems daunting, do it shelf by shelf. Start by removing old condiments and food. Then, remove shelves and drawers. Wash them thoroughly in warm, soapy water.
Run the oven’s self-cleaning function to get rid of burnt food spills and grime. If you don’t have that option or want to avoid the fumes that the self-cleaning function produces, wash the oven with baking soda and vinegar.
Clean the garbage can with a cup of hot water mixed with ½ cup of vinegar. Do this outside with a scrub brush. Then, hose it down and let it dry.
Hallways
Replace the doormats at the entrances to your home. Place one outside and another one inside to trap more dirt.
Your air filters for your HVAC system are probably in a hallway. Change them. You should be changing them every one to three months.
Vacuum all of your air vents, including the ones that cover the filters. If you notice that they’re especially dusty, you might want to call a professional to assess your indoor air quality.
Attic
Many people neglect the attic during spring cleaning. You use it as a storage space, and you don’t go into it frequently. Therefore, it could use some attention at least once a year.
Go through your boxes, and make sure that they’re all labeled. Look for evidence of rodents. If you notice droppings or chewed boxes, you might want to call a pest control service. Consider transferring items from cardboard boxes to plastic storage containers.
Check any HVAC system components that might be in your attic for wear and tear. If you don’t know what you’re doing, contact a reputable HVAC company for regular maintenance.
For all of your cooling and indoor air quality needs, contact Variable Comfort Solutions at 304-443-9255.
