Now that it's officially Spring, it's time to change over to the spring cleaning mindset. And we all know that spring cleaning is not like regular, everyday cleaning--it's all that and so much more. Some of us look forward to decluttering and sprucing up the place, while some of us dread the very idea of it.
If you've been cooped up inside a lot this past winter (especially thanks to a certain blizzard named Stella), the last thing you want to do is stay inside and clean all day, right? Well, the good news is you don't have to start right now; however, it's never a bad idea to at least start making your list for tasks you do want to accomplish. Tackling these projects one at a time is a manageable way to spruce up your home interior before summer.
Besides--is there anything more satisfying than crossing items off your list with a big, black X?
What to Clean Inside the House
Cabinets
Even for those of us who frequently clean up the kitchen space, it's really easy to overlook the cabinets--especially if they look clean. However, over time, your kitchen cabinets can collect a lot of build-up, especially if you don't use your exhaust hood (or if it isn't working properly).
Things splash, things spill, and hands (of varying degrees of cleanliness) touch the knobs hundreds of times a week. Multiply that by the last time you gave them a thorough scrub down--and that could be a lot of dirt, grease, and grime buildup.
Cleaning can take some time, depending on how large your kitchen is and how dirty they are. You can buy commercial products to do the job (like orange oil wood polish, which we use in my house) or you can try your hand at a homemade cleaner (some people swear by baking soda and coconut oil).
Windows
If the sun is starting to shine in your neck of the woods, you want to let that sunshine into your home! And the best way to do that is by giving your windows a thorough cleaning. Winter can be rough on your windows--between the salt, snow, rain, dirt, and maybe even dog slobber, you can find yourself looking at the world through the equivalent of dirty, smudged glasses.
If your windows have screens, you can clean those with warm water, a mild dishwashing detergent, and a brush. You can save this task for an overcast day so you don't have to worry about the sun drying the glass cleaner before you're done wiping it off.
Floors
If you and your family, friends, neighbors, or pets have been tracking in snow, slush, and rock salt into your house all winter, definitely consider giving your floors the ultimate cleaning. If you have carpets and rugs, thoroughly vacuum and shampoo them. Most carpets can be cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine, although rugs without backings (like Oriental rugs) need to be cleaned professionally.
Non-wood floors, like vinyl and linoleum, can regain their shine with a wax or polish designed for their surfaces. You can also usually find an appropriate treatment specifically designed for stone or tile floors. Hardwood floors should only be wet cleaned every 1 or 2 months and spot-cleaned as needed.
Tile
Besides the tile on your floor, clean the tile in your bathroom or kitchen backsplash with a neutral ph cleaner (or a little bit of baking soda in a lot of water). If your grout stains are that bad, you can also call in a professional service. While you're doing some deep cleaning is also the perfect time to reseal the grout lines between the walls, floors, and countertops.
Appliances
Much like your cabinets, just because your appliances look clean, doesn't mean they really are. Or are as clean as they could be. What type of appliances you have at home will dictate how you should clean them, but here's a simple guide for some of the common ones:
- Stainless steel: though modern and sleek looking, stainless steel can show grimy fingerprints like it's nobody's business. Use a cleaner (whether commercial or homemade) that is specific to stainless steel appliances. Don't overdo it at once, or else you'll have a grimy surface anyway. If you can get in the habit of doing this once a week, your steel will always sparkle.
- Dishwasher: a dishwasher can only clean your dishes so much if the machine itself is dirty. Remove any feed remnants from the washer then run a cycle with a specialty dishwasher cleaner. You can do this about once a month.
- Refridgerator: clean both the inside and the outside since things spill, expire and get forgotten about very easily once they make their way to the back of the fridge. Washing the shelves with warm soapy water should help eliminate any gunk you might find. Wipe down the rest with a sponge before you put any food back.
- Oven: if there's any food residue left in your oven that's starting to smell when you turn it on, it's probably time for a cleaning. Most ovens have a self-cleaning setting, but if you want something a little more hands-on, you can clean it yourself. Baking soda is a popular option if you want to avoid harsh chemicals.
- Coffee maker: If your coffee tastes a little off lately, it might be time for a clean. Besides washing the removable parts after every use, you should give your best morning companion an interior cleanse once a month to decalcify the machine.
Bedding
While you should be washing your sheets and pillowcases, it's easy to forget about the pillows, comforter, or duvet. These should be washed at least a couple times a year. Check the labels to see if they can be washed in a washing machine, or if they require dry cleaning. If your machine is on the small side, you can take them to a laundromat, as the washers and dryers tend to be much larger and won't take as long to clean.
You also shouldn't forget about your mattress! Vacuum the surface with the upholstery and crevice tools and spot clean as necessary with a disinfectant spray to sanitize.
Walls and Ceilings
You can use a vacuum to remove dust--because it's a proven fact that dust bunnies and spider webs repopulate when you're not looking. Especially check the corners for unwanted dust. If your paint is looking a little dingy, spot clean the walls with a cloth/sponge and some water. You might need to add a little mild dishwashing detergent for stains (or maybe a lot for those really stubborn stains). While cleaning, keep an eye out for areas that need some touch ups. Ceiling fans and light fixtures are also known hoarders of dust.
Shelves and Bookcases
The best way to thoroughly clean shelving is to remove everything (and then everything before you put them back). A feather duster will work well to dust books and knickknacks.
