Looking for a spring board for your spring cleaning? Look no further! We’ve created a list of 6 different spring cleaning tips for you to start the new season right.
- Clean the refrigerator. And keep it clean.
Now that all of the leftovers from the holidays have been cleared out, it’s time to remove the gunk and freshen up one of the most used appliances in the home. Begin by throwing out all expired foods and removing all other food items. Next, remove all trays and shelves. Then, taking your favorite household cleaner, spray the cleaner generously throughout the interior. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Repeat the process with the shelves and drawers. Finally, replace the drawers, shelves and food.
- Change air filters and clean grilles.
To get the best of the fresh, spring air, be sure to change out your air filters! After about 90 days, the old air filters need to be replaced. Dust, allergens and dirt will eventually clog the filter and decrease their efficiency. That means more dust on hard surfaces and more microparticles hanging out in the air. Take it one step further and clean the return air grilles. Using a microfiber cloth, wipe the outside and inside of the grille to ensure no extra dust gets pushed out while the A/C unit is running.
- Clean behind large appliances.
We all are afraid to see what is going on behind the refrigerator. Don’t even mention the oven range. But in order to give your home a fresh start, it’s time to pull those appliances out and clean out whatever is living behind them. After the appliance has been removed, use a broom to sweep up as much of the dust and crumbs as possible. Then, take the hose attachment from your vacuum and remove the rest from the corners. Finally, mop up the stuck-on spills and dirt.
- Dust baseboards, crown molding and walls.
Look close enough and you can find an entire ecosystem of dust living on your baseboards! Ok, maybe not an entire ecosystem, but dust and dirt love to live on those small ledges. Take a microfiber cloth or a duster with an extension to remove the dust from the baseboards, crown molding and even the walls.
- Clean small appliances with natural ingredients.
Is your microwave still harboring last month’s spaghetti leftovers? Coffee pot dripping slower than usual? The solution is simple: vinegar. Vinegar’s acidic properties break down unwanted buildup. Place a medium sized microwave-safe bowl with equal parts water and vinegar. Heat for 3-5 minutes. With oven mitts, remove the bowl and dump the contents down the kitchen sink. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. For the coffee maker, fill the water tank half way with vinegar. After placing a clean filter, begin a normal brew for 30 seconds. Stop the brew after the time has passed and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. Once the vinegar has had time to set, continue the same brewing cycle until the water tank is empty. The clean filter will catch any hard water deposits. Run two more brews with a full tank of water each time, allowing all of the vinegar to be rinsed out of the coffee maker.
- Vacuum and dust the blinds.
It is no secret that the wind can be brutal in west Texas, leaving the wonderful gift of silt and dirt to gather inside the windows. To quickly clean the windows, take a vacuum with the hose attachment in hand and begin to remove the loose dirt. Once most of the cobwebs and dust are removed, take a microfiber cloth with your favorite dusting product and wipe away the rest. Use a similar method with your blinds. Take the brush attachment and place on the vacuum hose. Begin to suction away as much of the loose dust from the blinds as possible. Finally, using the microfiber cloth and dusting product, wipe each of the slats on both sides until clean.