Monthly Spring Cleaning: 12 Essential Items to Focus On
Gear Up for Spring Cleaning: A Comprehensive Guide
Spring is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to give your home a thorough makeover. Here's a list of insider tips from professional cleaners to help you master spring cleaning like a pro!
12 Expert Cleaning Suggestions for a Fresh Home
- Advice from The Cleaning Coach, Leslie Reichert
- April Lane, Owner of April Lane's Home Cleaning
Ceiling Fans
Conquer dust on a ceiling fan with an extendable microfiber duster. Prevent dust balls from scattering with a protective sheet below the fan. For a more unique hack, slip a clean pillowcase onto one blade at a time and slide it back off, gathering dust as you go. Don't forget to wipe other fan parts, including light bulbs, with a dry microfiber cloth. Tackle glass shades by soaking them in warm, soapy water and thoroughly drying before replacing. Set the fan to counterclockwise rotation to create a cooling breeze in the warmer months.
Windows, Curtains, and Blinds
Achieve a streak-free shine on windows by briefing 15 minutes in a cool dryer with fabric treatments removed from their frames. Use an eyeglass-grade microfiber cloth to clean windows and woodwork trim after removing window treatments from the dryer. Dampen a regular microfiber rag with water for wiping down blinds, particularly in kitchen and bathroom areas, before hanging immediately to avoid wrinkles.
Pleated Shades and Wall Art
Vacuum pleated shades and honeycomb shades using a long-bristle attachment, starting from top to bottom. In areas with grease and steam, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean blinds. When cleaning wall art and framed mirrors, gently wipe the frame and surrounding wall with a microfiber cloth. Avoid directly spraying glass cleaner on the glass and instead opt for a fine microfiber cloth or spraying the solution directly onto the cloth.
Lampshades
Use your vacuum's long-bristle attachment to clean the top and bottom bands of lampshades, followed by brushing up and down the entire surface. If vacuuming is too much effort, a lint roller can be used instead.
Plant Maintenance
For shiny leaves on plants, gently clean them with a damp cloth or paper towel, holding the leaf base for support. For fuzzy plants, use a soft paintbrush. Wipe down plant pots with a microfiber cloth throughout spring cleaning.
Baseboards
Cleaning baseboards might seem tedious, but the results are undeniably satisfying. Begin by vacuuming dust from the surface using the brush attachment. Wipe down baseboards with a cloth dampened with warm water and dish soap. Dry thoroughly with a clean microfiber cloth, completing a thorough baseboard cleaning.
** Kitchen Cabinets**
Cleaning kitchen cabinets gently is essential to preserve their appearance. Use a warm water and dish soap solution to wipe down cabinet interiors and exteriors, as well as handles or knobs. Use a separate, slightly damp cloth to rinse and another dry cloth to finish drying.
Dishwasher Care
To maintain and clean your dishwasher, apply non-abrasive cleaner to a damp microfiber cloth and clean the inside of the dishwasher door. Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar into the reservoir or place a small bowl filled with vinegar on the bottom rack, then run an empty cycle to remove mineral buildup.
Cleaning Small Appliances
Small kitchen appliances like toasters, hand mixers, and coffee machines deserve some love too. Clean surfaces using a damp cloth, remembering to wipe down cords unplugged for thorough cleaning. For baked-on spills, use a toothbrush or other soft brush with soapy water.
Mattress and Headboard Cleaning
Vacuum wooden headboards, footboards, and mattress frames. Upholstered pieces can be vacuumed using a long-bristle attachment from top to bottom, focusing on tufted or pleated areas. Sweep the long-bristle attachment along the sides of the mattress and box spring, paying close attention to the welting at the edges where dust can accumulate.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Cleaning your dryer vent is vital for preventing fires and reducing dry times. Remove the tubing from the dryer and vacuum or use a brush to remove lint. Regularly clean the lint screen by scrubbing it with a soft brush and soapy water before drying completely and replacing it. Thoroughly clean the dryer vent at least once a year to ensure optimal dryer performance and safety.
Enrichment: Spring Cleaning for a Fresh Home
Spring cleaning involves diligently maintaining and decluttering various areas of your home. Ensure you use appropriate tools like microfiber cloths, brushes, vacuums, and essential cleaners for optimal results. Pay attention to overlooked areas like baseboards, vents, and behind furniture for a truly thorough clean.
Additional Resources:
- Learn how to clean living room furniture
- Discover the best kitchen appliance cleaning methods
- Find tips on deep-cleaning your bathroom
- Explore spring cleaning tips for bedrooms and outdoor spaces.
1. With spring upon us, prepare your home's kitchen counters by employing the Arcisi method, rotating your cabinet handles in a counterclockwise direction for a unique and efficient cleaning routine.
2. For a spotless home, consider the benefits of a realsimple approach to cleaning blinds by dampening a regular microfiber rag with water and using it to clean blinds in kitchen and bathroom areas before drying and immediately hanging them to avoid wrinkles.
3. In your spring cleaning endeavors, don't forget to clean your home's arc-shaped window arcsi with an eyeglass-grade microfiber cloth and a custom hack using a clean pillowcase to gather dust on ceiling fan blades.
4. As you tackle the bases of your home during your spring cleaning, remember to use a long-bristle vacuum attachment on your lampshades to clean top and bottom bands and upright surfaces, ensuring a truly clean home from top to bottom.
