April showers bring May flowers – and the new spring season means days are heating up! The warmer temperatures typically provide the urge to throw the windows open and refresh the inside of your home – but spring cleaning can easily become an overwhelming, daunting task.
Check out these spring cleaning tips from Kiper Homes to help get your home ready for the warm days ahead:
First Thing’s First
As with many projects, it helps to get in the groove of spring cleaning by starting with the easiest tasks first and working your way up to the harder ones to help minimize the total workload. Some of the easiest areas to clean include countertops, floors and windowsills. Clean up the countertops, sweep and mop the floors and wipe down the windowsills and blinds. There are a variety of tools available on Amazon to make wiping blinds a less tedious task.
Make the Dust Fly
If surfaces are not cleaned properly, it can contribute to dust build-up – as if we need another contributor to spring allergies. Be sure to properly dust and wipe everything down, such as furniture, walls, ceilings, ceiling fans and hard-surface floors, with a damp cloth and appropriate cleaning solution or vacuum cleaner with dust attachment.
All the Nooks + Crannies
Speaking of vacuums, use the dust attachment to skim the baseboards and remove the dust before you wipe them down and the extension attachment to reach under furniture and hit the corners of each room from top to bottom. Do not be surprised if you come across a cobweb or two – they love corners!
Tackle the Bathrooms
Not surprisingly, deep cleaning the bathrooms might be one of the most avoided tasks. Start by removing all the toiletries to clear the canvas. Wipe down and disinfect all hard surfaces including the countertop, sink, mirror, shower, tub, toilet and floor.
The Heart of the Home
Nearly every family member spends time in the kitchen, making it one of the dirtiest areas of the home. Start by spraying down the inside of the oven with cleaner so it can begin soaking, or fill a baking dish with half water and half vinegar, place it in the oven and turn on the self-cleaning cycle to let it run for a few hours. When you get back to it at the end of the day, it will be easier to wipe the oven of debris.
Next, wipe down all cabinets and countertops with a damp cloth – you’ll be surprised at the residue that’s ended up on your cabinets. Take it farther and remove all dishes from the cabinets to give the inside a good wipe down, too. This is also a good time to remove everything from the fridge and wipe it down.
Did you know most dishwashers have a filter to be cleaned manually? Check out these step-by-step instructions to determine what kind of filter your machine has and how to clean it, then utilize your dishwasher to clean a variety of other household items, from silicone hot plates to silk flowers. Be mindful of what goes on the bottom rack though, only sturdy, heavy-duty items. If there is ever a question, opt for the top rack. Click here to see a full list of ideas of what your dishwasher can give a good cleaning.
Clean Carpet
Carpeted areas can easily accrue dirt, dust and hair build-up and should be deep cleaned at least once a year with a steam cleaner. This goes beyond the surface cleaning vacuuming regularly provides and can help reduce allergens and general dirt in the home.
Recharge the Linens
Not only can bed linens and towels accrue build-up from cleansers, but they can also hold onto sweat, all of which make them less absorbent. Recharge your linens and towels by washing them once in hot water with 1 cup vinegar, then again with hot water and a 1/2 cup of baking soda.
Take it Outside
A major component of California living are outdoor living spaces. Be sure to pressure wash and wipe your outdoor furniture down, too so it’s ready for warm summer nights out in California rooms and around fire pits and pools.
Declutter Your Life
Once you’ve cleaned the major spaces in your home, now it’s time to declutter the remaining areas, like that closet that can’t seem to hold anything else, the “catch-all room” or the overloaded pantry. Organize these storage spaces to better serve you with labeled or clear boxes and bins.
A simple rule to follow: if you haven’t used something in the past six months, it might be time to get rid of it. The Reverse Hanger Hack is a great way to determine what stays and goes in closets.
While each household is different, we hope these spring-cleaning tips are a helpful starting point that puts a little spring in your step. Happy cleaning!