Spring Cleaning Tips to Prepare Your Home for the Warm Weather
It’s that time of year again- Time to open the windows and give everything in your house a good cleaning. Follow these spring cleaning tips to prepare your home for the warm weather.
Spring Cleaning: Infrastructure
Remember to include windows, walls, blinds, and ceiling fans
Windows
Washing windows on cloudy days may seem counterintuitive, but it’s the best time to do it. On sunny days, the windows dry too quickly and will streak. You can make your own *window cleaning solution using equal parts white vinegar, warm water, and one teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid. Use in a spray bottle or directly mix in a bucket. *Be sure your windows do not have any solar coating or tinting, as vinegar will damage them.
Walls
Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to freshen up your home, and one task that shouldn’t be overlooked is washing the walls. Over time, walls can accumulate dust, dirt, and grime, leading to a dull and dirty appearance. Cleaning your walls can restore their original color and brightness and improve your home’s overall cleanliness. First, remove loose dirt or debris with a soft-bristled brush, vacuum cleaner attachment, or dusting wand. Then, mix a solution of warm water and mild soap and use a cloth or a Telescoping Wall Washer to scrub the walls gently. Finally, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the walls with a soft towel to prevent water damage.
Blinds
Blinds are the ultimate dust collectors! Unfortunately, they’re also a pain to clean, so people often skip them. If you’d like to try tackling them during your spring cleaning this year, start by using an electrostatic duster. Then, wipe with a microfiber cloth and a mix of warm water and vinegar. As a final step, you can wipe them with a dryer sheet to help repel dust.
Deep Cleaning Blinds
Deep cleaning blinds in a bathtub is a straightforward process. Start by removing and dusting off the blinds. Protect your bathtub with a towel or rubber mat to prevent scratches. Fill the tub with warm water and add a mild detergent (we use Dawn dish soap), avoiding vinegar to prevent any potential damage or reaction with the blind material. Submerge the blinds, letting them soak for about 30 minutes to loosen dirt. Gently scrub each slat with a soft sponge or cloth, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. After shaking off excess water, allow the blinds to dry on a towel, or you can hang them outside, but not in direct sunlight.
It’s important not to let them dry completely, which can lead to water spots. Instead, wipe each slat dry with a clean towel. Once dry, rehang the blinds for a refreshed look. This method is ideal for vinyl or aluminum blinds, as wooden blinds may warp with water exposure.
Ceiling Fans
Most people switch the direction of their ceiling fans on a seasonal basis. This is also the perfect time to clean those fan blades well. You can do this easily with an old pillowcase. Slide it over the fan blade and use its inside to wipe the blades clean. Repeat until the whole fan is done. All the dust is in one place and not spreading throughout the room.
Couches and Upholstery
Different types of fabrics require different cleaning processes. Understanding these fabric codes will help you use the right cleaner for your furniture and rugs.
W: Use water-based cleaning solutions.
S: Use dry-cleaning solvents. Do not saturate. Do not use water.
S-W: Use water-based cleaners or dry-cleaning solvents.
X: Use a vacuum or brush only.
Bedding
Mattresses and pillows collect more dust than you think. Dust mites can be an allergen trigger for many people.
Mattresses
Some mattresses have a yellow tint to them. A build-up of sweat and body oils usually causes this. Mix hydrogen peroxide, warm water, and 1/4 teaspoon of mild dish liquid in a spray bottle to whiten it. Spray it on the surface of your mattress and work it in with a soft brush or terry cloth towel. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then spray it with clean water. Use a clean towel to blot dry, then let the mattress air dry completely before putting on sheets. For particularly tough stains, you can add a bit of hydrogen peroxide.
If dust mites are a concern, use a steam cleaner with a mattress attachment. This professional-grade tool offers a deep cleaning solution, effectively eliminating dust mites and other allergens. Incorporating this into your regular cleaning schedule enhances the cleanliness of your sleeping area and contributes to overall health and well-being, ensuring a restful night’s sleep in a clean environment.
Our Picks for The Best Steam Cleaners
- This Powerful Multipurpose Portable Steamer
- On-Demand Steam Cleaner & Multipurpose Power Steamer (with 18 Attachments)
- Did You Get the Dust Mites with Your Spring Cleaning?
Pillows
Down and fiber pillows can be washed with warm water on a gentle cycle in the washing machine. You’ll want to do an additional rinse to remove all the detergent and dry on low heat with reusable dryer balls to restore fluffiness.
We LOVE these Wool Dryer Balls because they’re eco-friendly, and the company also works to empower women artisans in Nepal. And who would’ve thought a dryer ball could be beautiful?
Foam pillows usually require hand washing and gentle detergent. Check the labels before putting them in the washing machine.
- Want to know how to wash any piece of clothing? Patric Richardson, aka the “Laundry Evangelist,” knows.
Pet Hair
The four-leggeds are great companions, but the fur does tend to get everywhere and can be challenging to remove. These tips make it easier.
Carpet
Run the rubber side of a window squeegee along the carpet or rug. Clean up the clumps of fur as you go, and finish with your normal vacuuming process to remove any remaining pet hair on the surface. They also sell multipurpose tools for pet hair and cleaning, so you get your money’s worth.
Furniture
Dampened rubber gloves can be used on furniture, much like the squeegee on carpets. Pet stores also sell gloves, brushes, and rakes that help to pick up pet hair on fabric. This one is a TikTok favorite!
Spring Cleaning Tips: Other Areas
Knife Block
Even if you clean and dry your knives before putting them away, giving your knife block a good cleaning once a year is still a good idea. Submerge the block in one gallon of lukewarm water and one tablespoon of household bleach for two minutes. Then remove it, turn it upside down onto a towel, and allow it to air dry.
Kids Toys
I can’t tell you how often I put my daughters’ dolls and anything else that needed a “good cleaning” in the dishwasher. Work smarter, not harder. The dishwasher is the perfect way to clean a box full of plastic kid’s toys. Choose the crystal or quick cycle and skip the heated dry. For those beloved stuffed animals, check the tag. If they can go in the washing machine, put them in a mesh bag or pillowcase and wash them on the gentle cycle.
Spring Cleaning Pro-Tip
Sometimes, you need to fill a big bucket with water – one that doesn’t fit in the tub or sink. When that happens, use a dustpan as a spout by placing it flat against your sink to transfer water to the bucket.
