As you know Spring Cleaning is more than the usual daily and weekly maintenance. Ceilings and walls tend to get skipped over on a regular basis. This is a great time to use those old sheets you’ve been meaning to get rid of too. Cover your furniture with the sheets, for protection, and turn off the ceiling fan and overhead lights. Working from the ceiling down use a long handled duster and work to the floor. Next wipe down art and other hanging decor. Once every thing is wiped down, give some attention to your baseboards with a damp cloth.
Don’t forget about your light fixtures either. For glass globes, make sure they are cool and the lights are off, then gently wipe with a damp cloth. Conversely, avoid using liquid cleansers or water with fabric shades since this can damage them. Instead, remove them from your fixtures and carefully use a lint roller to lift off debris.
Windows
While windows are a common target of spring-cleaning, many people often stop at just the panes. However screens, tracks, and frames can have a buildup of dust and grime from the past year. Screens can easily be washed in the driveway or even in the shower. Spritz them with a dishwashing spray. I love Dawn spray foam. Use a gentle brush and go over them and then rinse. They will dry quicly on their own, then simply reinstall.
Circling back to your windowpanes, go beyond just a quick clean with Windex. To make them really shine, scrub them on both sides with a mixture of two cups of warm water, a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar, and half a teaspoon of dish soap. Use a long-handled window mop with a squeegee to simplify washing their exterior-facing surfaces, and switch to a damp cloth for the insides. Finally, wipe the glass with a dry microfiber cloth to eliminate both moisture and streaks.
Matresses & Upholstery
Let’s not beds and upholstered furniture. Remove all items from the bed, couch, and chairs then use an upholstery attach on the vacuum to sweep the fabric surfaces. Don’t forget to get in the crevices of the couch. I’m fortunate that the couch we had made has washable covers. I can unzip them, toss them in a cold gentle wash, then let them air dry and put them back on. I wish I could toss our mattresses in the washing machine, but I settle to clean them with a sprinkling of baking soda and rub it in with a soft bristled brush. I leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, but vacuum well.
On a side note, leather furniture. We have a gorgeous mid-century modern chartreuse chair. I mix a few drops of a dish soap into a bowl of warm water. I dip a soft microfiber cloth into the solution and wring it out well. I gently wipe the surface of the leather. I make sure to wipe it dry with a clean microfiber, and follow up by applying a leather conditioner by following the product’s instructions.
Finish With a Great Clean Up
Now it’s time for floors. Do a widespread sweep, mop, and vacuum. This includes behind and under furniture and appliances. Having extension wands helps access these areas. I also wipe down the walls behind appliances, as well as the back of the appliance.
Spring Cleaning may not be the most fun thing you do this season, but it does give a sense of accomplishment and your home will feel fresher and more relaxing.
Lora Knows Home 