Your Spring Maintenance Checklist
At the first signs of spring, homeowners are getting ready for this yearly observance that seems to grip us and not let go – spring cleaning.
Spring cleaning is a surefire way to rejuvenate any room.
Cleaning your home from top to bottom may never be “FUN”, but you can make the project more manageable and even enjoyable – and the end result is worth it!
Miranda Hadden, a professional organizer and owner of Alberta-based Just Declutter, says “as with any cleaning task, you need to be prepared and have a game plan.”
“You don’t have to get overly ambitious because you might lose momentum,” she adds. “I tell my clients that if the task seems to be too much, start small … you can even start with just one kitchen drawer at a time.”
Top 10 Spring Cleaning Jobs
1. To begin, Hadden always suggests working room by room and working from top to bottom and left to right. This helps one keep on task.
2. Remove items to be taken to dry cleaning or washed, such as drapes and decorative bedding. Many draperies and curtains are machine washable, but check labels first. Dry-clean fabric shades. Wipe down wooden blinds with a damp cloth and warm water mixed with a little mild dishwashing liquid – this also works well and safely on metal and vinyl blinds.
3. Damp-dust places that are not part of your regular house cleaning, such as high shelves, window ledges and art.
4. Wipe down walls and ceilings – concentrating on fingerprints and soiled areas. No need for chemicals – simply use a bit of water and baking soda to get scuff marks off. However, if you have really stubborn surface grime, especially prevalent in kitchens, tackle it with a solvent-free degreaser (it’s a good idea to test it first in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t mar the surface).
5. Clean, vacuum and treat upholstered and leather furniture to bring a new life and longevity.
6. Clean and treat wood furniture to bring it back to its original shine. Do you have heat damaged wood or stubborn rings (often caused by wet glasses) on your favourite wood table? They may be removed by rubbing a mixture of equal parts of distilled vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda with a gallon of warm water. Then wipe off and apply wood protector of your choice. Voila! Back to new.
7. When vacuuming and cleaning floors and/or rugs, move furniture that has been in place during the winter season and clean underneath; perhaps move things around to get a new perspective. Synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backings can be deep-cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine and a hot-water extraction machine. However, rugs without backings, such as those expensive oriental rugs, require professional cleaning.
8. Pull out items in cabinets and drawers, vacuum out debris and wipe down both the inside of the drawers and the items in them, then return them back in place. This is a great way to downsize and feel lighter.
9. Wash down windows and window sills. For streak-free windows, mix equal parts of distilled vinegar and warm water. Use either a dry cloth or newspaper … it really works!
10. Head outside to sweep away old man winter and spray down decks and sidewalks. A pressure washer can be rented from tool and equipment rental shops or at some hardware stores. P.S. For another sense of renewal, consider buying a new doormat to welcome in the new season