Wash Behind Your Ears!

How many times do you start a new project or cleaning task, and end up missing some of the smaller things that end up making a big difference...kind of like washing behind your ears (or so every mom says!)?

Along those lines, here is my list of frequently missed items from Spring Cleaning:

Remove all draperies and wash/dry clean them.

Wash/dry clean throw pillows (if you have made covers like I have), or, if they are spot clean only, it may be time for new throw pillows!

Clean all of your garbage cans - I prefer taking the household cans and putting them in the bath tub to clean.

Clean under your kitchen sink, (I REALLY need to do this one!).

Then there are the BIG boys:

Clean or have your carpets cleaned.

Clean or have your windows cleaned.

Spring is officially here, and although the weather isn't as warm as we all want it to be, getting the deep cleaning done will make it easier to be that free spirit when the spring warmth hits us!

Keep the tools in good repair

I know that I speak endlessly about my love for all cleaning things Shark, so when my Shark Sweeper appeared to die today I was shocked.  I knew it had plenty of charge, so what was going on...

When was the last time you did a cleaning or some maintenance on your vacuums and sweepers?  My Shark was full of my girls' red hair!  After a minor "surgical" repair, my Shark was back in business!

I can't be the only one right?  Perhaps your vacuums could use a little work as well?  It will certainly make that Spring Cleaning much easier to have working tools!

Next step in your Spring Cleaning

Are you ready to throw open those windows and enjoy the fresh Spring air? I am! Only problem is that the air might not be so fresh coming through filthy window tracks and door ways. If you think I am being overly OCD about this area, it may have been a while since you opened your windows and took a peek. YUCK!

First thing is to get out the best vacuum you have and get the smallest attachment. Take some time and really get out as much of the loose dirt that you can, it will make things MUCH easier when we start adding moisture.

While the vacuum and attachments are still out, use it on top of all doorways and door frames. Obviously if there is stuck on dirt, a clean rag or Magic Eraser will be necessary.

Now, getting the gunk and grime out of and off the window tracks and doorways does require some time and elbow grease, but it can be very rewarding.

If you have a Shark Pocket Steamer, this is my favorite place to use it! Shoot that steam right into the window tracks and entry ways and you will blast yourself to shinny happiness.

If you don’t have a steamer, you can still get it just as clean, just use more elbow grease. Get out your cleaning toothbrush, rags, and HOT water with cleaning solution and go to town.

While steaming out the tracks, also go over the screens. If you feel up to it, pop them out, and scrub them on the driveway like my mother used to do. That is a bit much for even me, though if you are up for it, more power to you!

My last touch on window trim and doorways may be a bit over the top for you, but it can really be the icing on the cake. Touch up/re-do paint on the trim, and re-caulk any necessary areas.

With a little effort you’re going to open up those windows and doors, and be greeted with the CLEAN Spring air.

Spring Clean those Bathrooms!

Cleaning the bathroom is a necessary evil, but knowing that does not mean that it doesn’t need a Spring cleaning touch up along with the other rooms.

Because the bathrooms are cleaned so frequently, Spring cleaning in these areas is relatively easy. I was able to get all three of my bathrooms done on Saturday! Here is the to do list for Spring cleaning all of the bathrooms in the house:

• Wipe/swiffer down all walls, where all of the hairspray and cosmetic gunk can get stuck. Remove all clocks, and decorations to get behind them as well. Use HOT water and a cleaning solution with towels/rags.

• Wash decorative towels

• Wash all rugs/toilet covers

• Clean out sink and tub drains

• Remove everything from under the sink, clean and replace

• Wash vents

• Wash garbage can

To Spring clean the toilets:

 

• Steam clean all around and behind the toilet. Re-caulking if necessary will give a clean look as well. If you don’t have a steamer, the hottest water you can handle (use those rubber gloves) with a cleaning solution will work as well.

These small touch ups will go miles to improve the cleanliness of one of the most used rooms in the house.

Clean In Your Sleep!

There are very few things that can clean themselves while you are sleeping, but here is one of them.  Have you ever cleaned your washing machine?  Not cleaning the top when it gets dusty, or the detergent dispensers when they have too much residue.  I am talking about washing the actual agitating parts, the ones that actually clean your clothes?

I had never really thought about it until I got my Whirlpool Cabrio washer several years ago.  I LOVE this washer, it was the largest capacity washer I could find, and it does an amazing job.  It has so many settings, and includes a setting to wash your washer! 

If you do not have this setting on your washer, you can just run it through a normal cycle, on hot, using only bleach.  It really does make a difference in your laundry cleaning, and you can run the setting while you are sleeping!

Finding the Hidden Dust

Where does all of this dust come from? Do you ask that question frequently? I do! No matter how great of a dusting job you do, it will ALWAYS come back, and unfortunately much more quickly than you want it to.

Other than the routine dusting that we all try to get to, the only way to address the dust is to find where it likes to hide, the places that we don’t always think of.

By getting to those areas during Spring cleaning, it will cut down on the dust throughout the rest of the year as well.

Spring Cleaning presents the opportunity for us to get around to cleaning the areas that we don’t always think of, but know we should get around to.

My to do list for Spring Cleaning in regards to dusting is as follows:

• Pull out and clean behind the:

Stove

 Fridge

 Washer

 Dryer

Large pieces of furniture

• Vacuum corners of ceilings and baseboards with vacuum attachments

• Pull off all vents and clean/vacuum them out

• Dust tops of all cabinets and fridge

• Remove light fixtures, wash, and replace

• Dust all fans

• Vacuum lap shades with vacuum attachments

I find dusting to be tedious and frustrating, but when it comes to Spring Clean dusting, it can be quite rewarding.  It will amaze you how much cleaner your home will feel when you get to these frequently skipped areas.

Spring Cleaning, Must Have Supplies

It is almost Spring, time to prepare for the big Spring Clean. Having all of the necessary supplies on hand will make for a more productive cleaning session, so here are the basics you will need:

1. Cleaning toothbrush
2. Tooth picks

3. Vinegar

4. Anti-bacterial cleaning solution

5. Abrasive cleaner and a good scrubbing sponge

6. Glass cleaner

7. Quality vacuum with attachments

Optional Items:

1. Rubber gloves (protect that manicure!)

2. Steam Cleaner (I LOVE my Shark Pocket Steamer)

3. Swiffer type of mop and plenty of rags

Most of these basic items you will have on hand, and although you can get the job done without the optional items, having them will make the chores MUCH easier. Spring Cleaning for me is about getting to those areas that we don’t always get around to, and doing a deeper clean on those that we clean more frequently. Come on, dig in and get a good Spring cleaning done, it will really pay off when you are spending all of your free time outside when the good weather finally arrives!