Best Spring Cleaning Tips for Inside the House.

Spring Cleaning Tips

Picture a warm springtime sun streaming through your windows. Little blue birds are chirping away in your backyard as squirrels bound from tree to tree and flowers start to blossom. No, it is not a scene from Cinderella, but rather the first hint of spring.

Spring always puts me in an “out with the old, in with the new” state of mind. It’s a time when the weather warms and windows and doors are left open, rugs are aired out, dusting is done, furniture is vacuumed, and the house is freshened with the warm spring air.

Spring cleaning is not really a necessity for some of us, but rather an option to say good-bye to winter and hello to the warmer months ahead.

Let us give you some of our spring cleaning tips.

Air it Out

When a warm spring day presents itself, go throughout the house and start opening windows and doors (at least the ones that have screens and can be left opened).

Not only will your house appreciate it, your spirit will to. The fresh, warm spring air will wake up your senses and make cleaning an easier chore.

Strip and Wash the Bedding

Prior to stripping bedding, take out the spring and summer sheets and wash them so they are fresh.

Go through each room and take the winter sheets, blankets, and bedspreads or comforters off the beds.

Make a pile of all the washables and another pile that will need to be taken to the laundromat (some washing machines just aren’t big enough). Start by washing sheets then blankets (like colors together) and move up to bedspreads.

If you can, instead of putting bedspreads in the dryer, you could freshen them up by hanging them out to dry in the warm sun. We actually made a clothes line and use it whenever weather permits. If you do hang out to dry, go out and shake it up a few times and rehang.

After removing the winter sheets, this is a good time to vacuum the mattress and polish or clean the bed frame.

Work from Top to Bottom and Back to Front

Get your cleaning supplies together and start on the top floor of the house working your way down or from the back of the house forward.

We keep cleaning supplies on each floor so we eliminate having to carry those around.

Dust and vacuum each room starting at the back of the room working towards the door. When you dust, don’t forget to get the cobwebs that very likely could be hanging from the ceiling.

When you vacuum, move the furniture around so you can get behind and underneath everything – dust bunnies beware. If furniture can’t be moved around, at least try and vacuum under beds, dressers, etc.

Mopping the Floors

All floors that can be mopped, should be mopped. Use a nice fresh scent that will accentuate the fresh smells coming in the house from outside.

Before cleaning, be sure to carefully vacuum (except marble) or sweep or dry mop dirt, dust and debris away.

Ceramic, Vinyl Floors

Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with one-gallon warm water. For added freshness, you can also add about 15 drops of essential oil. Some nice ones are lavender, orange, lemon, or lime. You can even make your favorite blend and add to the mix.

After mopping, use a shine mop or clean towel to dry floors.

Stone Floors

Mix together two gallons warm water with one tablespoon Murphy Oil Soap. Again, you can add essential oils if you wish.

After mopping, rinse again with plain water and then dry.

Marble Floors

Marble floors are soft and porous so when you clean be sure to dry the floors after and never use anything like ammonia or acidic cleaners. These can etch and damage the floor.

Really, if floors are not that dirty, all you need is a clean mop and warm water then dry completely when done.

Another option for marble is to use one tablespoon Murphy’s Oil Soap with one gallon of warm water.

However you choose to clean marble floors, do not use an excessively wet mop. It should be damp. Be sure to dry completely when you’re done washing.

Cleaning Furniture and Carpets

Spring cleaning is a good time to do deep furniture and carpet cleaning. You can do this by hiring professionals, or renting a steam cleaning machine.

If you do it yourself, know what is recommended for the item you are cleaning and make sure you follow all directions to get the best results.

Some furniture you may be looking at cleaning are:

• Chairs
• Sofas
• Dining room table and chairs
• Bed frames
• Desk

Wipe down furniture (including legs and make sure they are on nice and tight), vacuum furniture (including both sides of cushions and under the cushions). If you have removable seat covers wash these as recommended (be careful about putting these in the dryer as they could shrink).

If you notice any stains, treat accordingly then polish wood items and clean leather and so on.

Appliances and Refrigerator

Not only will you mop the kitchen floor but before you do this, get some help to move the stove and refrigerator and give the floors underneath, walls and sides of cabinets a good scrubbing and also the outside sides of the appliances. You might think you’re a clean cook but stuff gets down and around.

Give the inside of the refrigerator and freezer a thorough cleaning. Throw out any old food or expired foods.

While you’re in the kitchen you can also clean the microwave, toaster and whatever much used appliances you have.

Blinds and Drapes

Take down blinds and drapes, wash what you can and take the others out to be cleaned. Its amazing how much dust and debris clings to these over the winter months.

Rotate Your Clothing

Spring cleaning is more than just a thorough house cleaning. Winter clothing needs to be stored for next season so you can make room for your summer clothes.

Before you hang up new clothes and put them in your drawers, try them on and make sure they fit and that you still want them. If they don’t fit or you don’t want them, donate or give them away.

I’m going to say this again, it’s a beautiful, warm day – hang your clothes in the fresh air before putting them away.

The Honey Do List

Spring cleaning is not necessarily a one-person job. Over the winter months you may have taken stock of certain areas of the home that need special attention.

By spring you can give your husband the honey do list and get him involved too. Spring cleaning will help your home go into the warmer months clean and fresh.