Spring Has Sprung - Time To Refresh!

By Lila Ziegler

Every year we turn our clocks forward and look to a fresh start for the spring season. Sunshine peaking through your shutters will warm your home from the outside in, a friendly reminder to start your spring-cleaning!

Get Started On the Outside

The windows letting in that warm light may need some extra care after months of winter storms collecting soot on the glass. Before beginning your glass cleaning routine, swiftly sweep around the edges of the window to get rid of lingering dust and cobwebs. Simultaneously, check for any signs of peeling paint around the panes. Flaking paint often indicates water damage, which may mean you will need to address a leak or a draft; seal these areas carefully before cleaning the glass.

Bust the Dust

Dust is the number one battle we all must face while cleaning our homes. The best way to ensure that you are getting rid of dust, rather than pushing it around, is to use a slightly damp microfiber towel preferably with a surface sensitive cleaner in addition to your vacuum cleaner. A  pH neutral universal cleaner, such as Butlers Brand’s Universal Concentrate Cleaning Solution, is best for preventing damage to surfaces.

Although tedious, be sure to dust every surface to complete a proper deep cleaning of your residence. In order to guarantee you reach every nook and cranny, remove clutter from surfaces before cleaning and move your furniture away from the walls to not miss areas typically obscured. Once surface cleaning is complete, use your vacuum attachments to remove dust from harder to clean items such as mattresses, ceiling fans, and lampshades.  To further control the dust, be sure to regularly clean filters in air ducts, and heating and air conditioning units. In addition, a friendly welcome mat in front of all entrances will help minimize the amount of dust brought into your home upon entry.

Wax On, Wax Off

Floors are the most used and abused surface in your household. In order to rid your floors of the grime and dirt acquired through every day use, instill a no-shoes policy in your home; this will drastically cut down on the amount of outdoor dirt tracked through the residence with little to no effort.

Carpets trap dirt so you may want to accompany your regular vacuuming with a deep steam cleaning once or twice a year. It is helpful to vacuum yourself into a room and then out as this will ensure you cover the most heavily trafficked area, the entranceway, twice.

Wooden floors should be treated delicately, particularly if waxed rather than sealed. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need much water and soap to effectively clean these surfaces. If sealed, dampen the surface with a light soap and some water before wiping dry. If waxed, simply dust with a dry mop or vacuum. This will prevent any water damage on your coveted wooden flooring between waxes.

Your walls will also benefit from a cursory cleaning. Using dish cleaning soap and water, gently wipe down your walls to reveal fresh, crisper looking paint. This will give the whole room a cleaner feel in just a matter of minutes.

Closeted Clutter

The first step to de-cluttering your packed wardrobe is to get rid of items you haven’t worn in over a year. You will have cycled through all of the seasons and if your red blouse hasn’t made an appearance, donate it. When in doubt, clear it out!

Organize any clothes you are keeping by how you get dressed in the morning. This will ensure you are able to sort through all of your options hastily when getting ready to run out the door. In addition, rotate your clothing seasonally so you know what you have. The best place to shop is your own closet.

If you find that you are tight on space, think creatively when it comes to storage solutions. Ice cube trays can become earring trays, wooden shipping crates can become shoe baskets, and utensil trays can sort sunglasses. Use the back of your closet door to hang hooks for scarves, hats, and belts; this will take them out of your drawers and off of your bedroom floor. Lastly, be sure to utilize high shelves for the snowsuit you won’t be wearing in June and the prom dress you can’t bare to part with.

Time to Sanitize

The kitchen and bathroom should be thoroughly cleaned to ensure proper sanitization.

The bathroom is the last area of the home that you clean in order to prevent the spreading of bacteria. To cut down on cleaning time, let your cleaning products soak the soiled area while you complete cleaning elsewhere in your home. This will ensure that your scrubbing will be more effective and efficient. To rid your faucets, showerheads, and drains of mildew and lime deposits, fill a bag with vinegar and tie it around the effected area with a rubber band. This will easily break down the bacteria, wiping off clean to reveal a shiny, like-new fixture.

In the kitchen take everything out of your refrigerator and pantry, cleaning the shelves and cabinets as you go. Exercise caution when selecting the product you are using to clean your fridge; avoid a thick soap, this may leave a scent or coating that your food can absorb. Alternatively, use a mixture of water and baking soda to effectively clean the area and minimize odors.

The best way to organize your refrigerator is from the bottom up, with the food most easily spoiled, such as poultry and fish at the bottom in the coldest area and more safe products, such as bottled beverages in the warmer area, at the top or on the door. Only reshelf food that you will likely consume within the next six months, and of course trash any expired items. It is helpful to continue rotating your food so the most recently purchased items are at the back of the storage area and the items that are soon to spoil are at the front. This will help reduce waste and provide a physical example of what you are and are not consuming regularly. 

To get down to the dirty in your kitchen and bathrooms, toothbrushes are a great tool. The small bristles will allow you to target the harder to reach areas such as under the tank of your toilet, grout stains, and in between oven knobs. Lastly, run your appliances such as washers, dryers, and dishwashers with a mix of vinegar and baking soda to give them a refresh and clear out any built up grime.

Once your home has been cleaned from top to bottom, you are ready for spring to be sprung! Open your windows to let in some fresh air and if you are looking for a sweet aroma, boil a pot of water withlemon, rosemary, and vanilla to welcome visitors.