Spring Cleaning Made Easy
Around the House
Wash windows inside and out. Wipe down the sills. To clean window screens, rub them with kerosene on both sides, and then rinse them with soap and water. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside.
To revive drab drapes, take them down, remove hooks and run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel (to attract the dust) for 15 minutes. Re-hang immediately. Wipe blinds with a damp cloth.
Dust your home thoroughly. Take everything off shelves, tabletops and dressers to dust. Now is also the time to get to all the places you’ve been neglecting throughout the year, including ceiling fans, above kitchen cabinets and baseboards and doorways.
Wash out trash cans. To really clean garbage cans, spray them with a hose and dump out the water. Next, spray the inside with a disinfectant spray, scrub with a handled brush and rinse. Leave them upside down to dry.
Move furniture away from walls and clean underneath.
Deep clean your flooring. Have your carpets professionally cleaned and wax wooden floors.
Clean upholstered furniture. Vacuum pillows, as well as underneath the cushions. Look for stains and clean according to the care label.
Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials.
Clean inside the refrigerator. The best cleaner is a combination of abrasive salt and bubbly soda water
In the Kitchen
If there’s lime buildup around the faucet, lay paper towels over the fixture and soak it with vinegar, letting it set for one hour. The deposits will soften and become easier to remove
Use a toothbrush to remove softened food from around the burners, knobs and dials on the stove top.
Set your oven to self-clean. Be sure to wipe up major spills before setting it to self-clean.
Wash outdoor furniture. Mild dishwashing detergent should work for most materials, but check your care labels to be sure.