Spring Cleaning

Cleaning is a year-round necessity, but there are almost certainly some places in your home that could use some extra attention. Spring is a great time to do the deep cleaning that will give your space a fresh start for the season. Not to mention, if allergies typically bother you at this time of year, a cleaner home environment can only help you!

 Consider the following list:

1. Give the place a good dusting – especially in areas that are harder to reach and may not get dusted regularly, like light fixtures, the tops of ceiling fans and windows. Work from the top of the room down to avoid re-dusting what you have just cleaned. And take everything off the shelves – even books – making sure to dust each object with a clean cloth. 

2. Check out ceilings and walls for unwanted marks and wipe them away with an all-purpose cleaner. Wash windows and wipe down light switches, and door and window hardware, too. 

3. Curtains and blinds can accumulate a lot of dust as well – put the curtains through the laundry (unless they are dry-clean only), and wipe down the blinds. Window screens should be removed and gently scrubbed with warm, soapy water. Thoroughly rinse before replacing. 

4. Vacuum and mop floors, as the surface demands. And shampoo the carpets and rugs – these can really build up a lot of unseen dirt. Couches and other upholstered furnishings can also benefit from vacuuming, and cleaning as recommended on care labels.

5. Clean your baseboards with a bristly brush attachment on the vacuum, followed by a wipe-down with an all-purpose cleaner. 

6. Finally – and as a safety consideration – wipe down smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries to ensure they are in good working order.