Spring Cleaning – Ugh!
By
Eleni Latini
Posted: 2019-05-08T01:36:00Z
Spring Cleaning – Ugh!
Think of it as a chore with a great outcome
Whether you live in a house or an apartment, setting aside time for spring cleaning is a must. Not only is it important for the upkeep and maintenance of your home, but spring cleaning is the perfect time to renew your space and your spirit. Here is a Checklist that covers the basics of Interior Spring Cleaning, room by room, and why it is important to your personal health and the value of your home. Once done, you will be ready to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather of spring!
Kitchen:
Don’t skip the refrigerator:
- You use this everyday so be sure to take some time to clean it. Springtime brings lots of fresh veggies and fruits and with all the farmer's markets that pop up in your neighborhood, you are going to want to have a clean fridge. Be sure take all food items out of your refrigerator and wipe down the shelves with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Have any stubborn stains? Use baking soda to remove them. Let everything dry before replacing the items.
Clean the Cabinets:
- Our kitchen cabinets spend all year collecting dirt, dust, food splatters, grease, and other residues, so it is important to give them a solid cleaning. If you have metal, plastic laminate, painted wood, or vinyl cabinets, you can clean them warm water and dish soap. Don't forget to get into the edges and sides of your cabinets.
Cooking Appliances:
- Start from the top and work your way down. Using whatever you cleanser you normally use, clean your stovetop and burners, followed by wiping down the outside of the oven to make sure to eliminate any grease or residue that has accumulated. Remove all the racks from your oven, wash them, and then clean the inside of the oven before putting them back.
- Be careful if you are using the self-cleaning feature on your oven. Temperatures can go upward of 500 degrees, and if you have a buildup of grease, it could cause a fire.
Finishing Touches:
- Wipe down and shake out the crumbs in your toaster or toaster oven
- Clean your microwave
- Disinfect and wipe down your countertops
- Sweep and mop
- Clean out spice cabinets and pantries and remove expired items
Bathroom:
Deep Clean your Shower:
- You may use your shower and bath to get clean, but it deserves some TLC as well! Start from the top and wipe down the shower door, floor and wall tiles with an eraser sponge like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Use a soft scrub brush and a mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water and clean your grout to make sure no mold builds up. Wipe down the shower head and the faucet handle. If you have a shower liner, now is a good time to replace it.
Vanity:
- Spray any tile, countertops, faucets, toilet and bowl with all-purpose cleaner and let sit for at least 15 minutes before wiping them down. Spray your mirror with a glass cleaner, also starting from the top and wiping your way down.
Living Room:
Furniture Care:
- Dust using a Swiffer Duster or Microfiber cloth, working from one side of the room to the next. Wipe down everything, from your TV and cable box to end tables and lamps, and end with window casings and fireplaces. Polish any wood furniture and use a dry cloth to clean any glass to prevent streaking.
Vacuum Everything:
- Vacuum soft furniture, around the base of the walls, curtains. End with the floor to pick up all the dust and crumbs that could have fallen from the cleaning process.
Whew! You’re exhausted but feel proud of your accomplishment. You deserve a sunshine break, a glass of wine or a cone of ice cream.
Elena Latini is a graduate of Loyola University Marylands. She works for The Philadelphia Contributionship as their Marketing Assistant. She is responsible for their Social Media, manages their Digital Marketing, creates and runs their Analytics Reporting, monitors their Advertising and creates branded Graphics.