Spring cleaning is the time of year that many homemakers dread, or, on the contrary, if you are the person who fancies some deep cleaning every now and then, this time of year might be a dream come through.
Spring ushers in new life, warm weather, longer days and fresher air, which makes it the perfect time to scrub down, dust off, wash up and organize.
Today, we give you 28 items around the house you should spring clean this year. From cabinets to faucets and drains, you have a lot of work to do, so let’s get started.
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel should be shiny and glittering, hence it defeats the purpose of having them to begin with. Use a light mist of wax-based aerosol spray to clean, but don’t overdo it, this can leave them grimy. Repeat at least 4 times per month going forward.
2. Windows
Don’t just focus on the insides, do a thorough window cleaning outside as well. Watermarks from rain, sprinklers, and dust can gather overtime making them look dirty and unkempt.
3. Cabinets
Over a period of time, build-up can collect on your cabinets, whether in the Kitchen, Dining Room or Bathroom. Get them looking brand new with a Cabinet Cream.
4. Silver
Use a toothbrush (a brand new one, of course, lol) with some Hagerty Silver Cleaner to shine and restore your silver. It is not too abrasive and is also water-soluble.
5. Refrigerator
This means giving it a good clean inside and out. You would be amazed at the germs and bacteria that can be making a home in your fridge. Remove all items and clean the inside and outside with some light bleach water, then [if you have a stainless steel fridge], shine the outside with some wax-based aerosol spray.
6. Oven
Ever turned on your oven and smelt something burning? This simply means its time for a very deep cleaning. Chip off loose pieces, spritz burnt food with ammonia, then sprinkle a little baking soda and a few drops of white vinegar on the bottom, allow it to bubble up, then scrub away with a sponge.
7. Counter-Tops
Counter-tops are an important part of the Kitchen and should be cleaned almost every day, but for your spring cleaning session, consider getting it sealed to prevent stains. Repeat this at least twice per year.
8. Dishwasher
Your dishwasher is the tool that keeps your dishes clean, therefore, it would be a travesty if it is not always clean. Remove the dishes, clean out the bottom and run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner. Repeat once every month.
9. Wood Floors
You might be wet-mopping your wood floors every week, but this could actually be doing more bad than good. Your wood floors should only be wet-cleaned once every one to two months and spot clean as needed. Ensure you are using trivets or sauces under houseplants to prevent water damage as well and use furniture protectors to prevent scratches.
10. Faucets
You can use a wax-based aerosol spray to clean your faucets all around the house. Soap scum and dirt build-up over time.
11. Bathtubs
Bathtubs are a breathing nest for all kinds of muck and germs, after all, you are ridding yourself of bodily sediments there. To thoroughly clean, sprinkle the tub with baking soda and spray on a vinegar-and-water solution. Let the mixture bubble for several minutes, then scrub with a soft cloth or sponge until a paste forms. Let the paste sit for 15 minutes, then wipe and rinse. Repeat once monthly.
12. Face Sinks
Face sinks are similar to bathtubs, use the same cleaning method to keep it sparkling.
13. Shower Curtains
Remove shower curtains and give them a wash in the washing machine with some bleach and laundry detergent. Shower curtains are breeding grounds for bacteria when not cleaned regularly. Repeat once monthly.
14. Window Curtains
Window curtains are statement makers, they can make or break your interior or exterior decor, but they are also a haven for dust, insects, and cobwebs when left unattended. Remove once every quarter and machine wash, iron, and re-install.
15. Carpet
You might be surprised, but less trafficked areas of your carpet only need to be cleaned once or twice per year and every 18 months for a bedroom, according to Paul Iskyan of Rug Renovating. For the more trafficked areas, bring in the professionals three to four times per year, or once you start seeing visible dirt.
16. Tiled Surfaces
Clean bathroom and kitchen tiles with a cleaner that has “neutral pH” on the label, like this one. As a substitute, you can also: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into 2 gallons water and mix very well. Then apply the liquid with a string mop or sponge mop. For grout, use the same baking soda and water mixture.
17. Closet
Organization in the home first starts with your closet. Put shoes and clothes in order (by color, make, etc.) and give away clothes you no longer wear, if they are in good condition.
18. Bedding
Clean your pillows and comforters. You should already be changing sheets and pillowcases every other week.
19. Mattress
This is the only time of year you might get to show your mattress some love. In this case, use a vacuum to remove lint and dust, then spray all over with some disinfectant (very lightly, you don’t want your bed wreaking of chemical). Leave to dry then add your sheets. You can also flip your mattress to use the underside.
20. Washer & Dryer
The washer and dryer are what you use to keep most of your house items clean, but they can also get dirty. Over time they gather lint and hairs from clothing and can cause buildup, which is then applied to your newly washed laundry each time. Use your vacuum nozzle to vacuum your dryer and spray some disinfectant in both your washer and dryer, then wipe.
21. Bookshelves
Remove books and dust. Then rearrange books by subject and size. Books you no longer use, consider donating to a library.
22. Painted Walls
Spot cleaning your painted walls with some water and a cloth/sponge is a quick and easy way to keep them sparkling. Of course, only focus on areas that need attention.
23. Brooms
No more dust bunnies! Place brooms in some soapy water or use your vacuum’s nozzle to zap away loose particles, just remember to clean out your vacuum’s attachment afterward .
24. Area Rugs
Good news! You don’t have to clean your area rugs every year. They can be cleaned every four to five years, according to Philip Costikyan of Restoration by Costikyan. Over cleaning leads to wear and tear in no time. So after you clean it this spring, you can forget about it for the next half-decade. How awesome!
25. Wall Pictures
Use a Swiffer to dust wall images. They are a haven for dust.
26. Patio Furniture
Outdoor season is here, so give your patio furniture some well-needed attention. Wipe them down with some water and dish detergent. Cushions can be vacuumed and sprayed with some disinfectant.
27. Drains
One of the most forgotten places when cleaning are drains, yet they are one of the most unpleasant places in your home. Dirty drains can lead to clogs, pungent smells and even drain flies. Use this homemade method to clean your drains:
- Pour a pot of boiling hot water down your drain.
- Dump in about 1/2 cup baking soda. Let that sit for a few minutes.
- Then, pour a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup very hot water down on top of the baking soda.
- Cover with a drain plug (to keep the reaction down below the drain surface) if you have one and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Flush one more time with a pot of boiling water.
(via Crunchy Betty)
28. Air Vents
Here’s how you clean your air vents:
- Turn off the power connected to the heating and air conditioning system.
- Unscrew the air duct covers or grilles from the walls. Use your brush to clean the grates thoroughly. If they’re very dusty and grimy, you may want to use soap and water to make them gleam.
- Vacuum the ducts as much as possible. Consider renting a heavy duty vacuum for this purpose. The standard household vacuum isn’t powerful enough to clean deep into the crevices of the ducts. Make sure that the vacuum you rent has a long hose to reach deep into the ducts. This is important, as there may be mold and mildew growing inside the air ducts. If you want the ducts to be cleaned more thoroughly, consider hiring a professional to do the job.
- Clean the grilles in your ceiling. If you can’t reach them with the vacuum or screwdriver, use a broom to attack the dust. Remember that if you haven’t cleaned them for a long time, you will want to protect yourself from all the dust and debris that will fall down by wearing a dust mask.
(via How Stuff Works)
Happy Spring cleaning!
