17 Mar Spring Cleaning: Tips to Refresh Your Home

Spring Cleaning: Tips to Refresh Your Home

Here are a few tips to help you freshen rooms, remove allergens, and brighten the look throughout your home this Spring.

Clean Your Doormats

Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside. To refresh, hose off and air-dry outdoor mats. Vacuum indoor ones on both sides — going over the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it will be easier to pick up.

Spray down windows and dust blinds

Wait for an overcast day to clean your windows and start on the shady side of the house (direct sun can lead to streaking). Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster and finish by vacuuming the fabric shades and drapes.

Wipe down walls

Keeping your walls free of greasy fingerprints, dust and stains is as easy as wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth. Be sure to start from top to bottom, and bonus points if you wipe the door frames and baseboards too!

Freshen up musty carpets

Refresh your carpets in between deep cleanings by using a portable carpet cleaner with a rotating brush. To rid your carpet of pet odors, sprinkle baking soda or carpet deodorizer on your carpet. Using a soft brush, work the baking powder into your carpet and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum the baking powder off the carpet with a fresh bag or clean dirt cup.

Steam Clean the microwave

Clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all. To clean your microwave, fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar and stick it inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for five minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe the inside and outside with a sponge.

Spruce up granite countertops

Dig out the granite polish to restore shine and help repel stains on your kitchen surfaces. For daily wipe-downs, use a specialized granite cleaner. The mild formula cuts grease and removes surface stains without the damaging effects of vinegar or ammonia, and it won’t leave behind a dull film like ordinary dish soap can.

Deep clean the fridge

In addition to wiping down your fridge’s interior shelving on a regular basis, give the removable bins and shelves a deep clean every now and again. Pop out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage.

HVAC vents

Thoroughly vacuum and dust these areas. If anyone in your household has severe allergies or asthma, consider hiring a professional duct cleaning service to remove buildup that can encourage mold growth and dust mites.

Carpets and upholstery

Floor coverings need regular attention from your vacuum – sweep up “dust bunnies” and cobwebs from every corner and mop any exposed flooring. Carefully apply sprays or cleaning products to remove stains (after testing in an inconspicuous area). It may also be time for a thorough shampooing – rent a professional machine to sanitize the padding underneath and remove moisture, there are also some good professional carpet cleaners, if you prefer that option.

De-gunk your oven

Cleaning your oven is an essential part of spring cleaning. Use your appliance’s self-cleaning function to remove stubborn, baked-on grime. If your oven doesn’t have one, place a hot, wet cloth on top of burned spots to help soften the gunk. Then scrub with a sprinkle of baking powder and a heavy duty pad. Rinse and wipe dry.

Scrub down kitchen cabinets

Unsightly kitchen grime is a mix of dust and grease that builds up over time. Run the exhaust hood over your range every time you cook to keep grease from settling. To de-gunk, use a cabinet cleaner to cut through dirt and leave wood moisturized. Do an extra pass around any places that grease collects, like door and drawer pulls.

Reorganize the junk drawer

Once you empty out your drawer, suck out dust and crumbs with your vacuum’s nozzle. Toss or relocate any items you no longer need or that don’t belong there. Everything else goes back, but this time in an organized manner. Repurpose pretty plates and bowls to store cords, stamps and other odds and ends. A nonslip liner will help keep everything in place.

Machine wash your shower curtain

Stick plastic or vinyl shower curtains along with a few bath towels in your washing machine on the gentle cycle with your favorite laundry detergent. Let it hang dry before showering. To keep the curtain cleaner longer, spritz it a few times each month with a bleach-containing all-purpose cleaner. Then just let the shower rinse it off (before you hop in, of course).

Keep drains smelling fresh

To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes tops. Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially helpful for seldom-used drains, like in guest bathrooms.

Vacuum soft furniture

Pull furniture away from walls and vacuum behind and under it. Do the woodwork and air vents while you’re back there. Then switch the upholstery tool on your machine to go over both sides of cushions and underneath them. The crevice tool is a great way to remove any gunk along the trim and stitching.

Spruce up curtains and throw pillows in the dryer

Put your dryer to work and toss drapes, curtains and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the “air-only” cycle, then rehang immediately to avoid wrinkles

Replace air conditioner filters

Spring is the perfect time to clean or replace HVAC and window air conditioner filters before you start to use them regularly in the summer months. It’s best to check with your unit’s manufacturer for the recommended way to clean filters, if they are washable.

Dust those ceiling fixtures

Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you forget about during the rest of the year. Grab an extendable duster and attack ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, moldings and more. Make sure to start your cleaning here, from top to bottom, so you don’t have to vacuum your floors twice.

Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g3345/spring-cleaning-tips/

Feel free to reach out if you need a contact for cleaning or home maintenance. As experienced REALTORS^® in Kanata and other surrounding communities in Ottawa we would be pleased to help you!

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