As a follow-up to my last month's blog of cleaning tips in general, here are the room-by-room cleaning tips I promised for your big Springtime Cleaning Over-Haul!
Room by Room Cleaning Tips:
Kitchen
- Dust refrigerator coils with the crevice attachment on your vacuum cleaner - don't forget to turn off power at the circuit breaker or fuse box.
- Defrost the freezer - turn off power, empty contents, wipe interior with a solution of 2 tbsp baking soda per 1 qt hot water.
Living Room - Swap heavy drapes, rugs, and throws for lightweight ones Bedrooms - Rotate bed and change blankets - flip your mattress and replace cool-weather bedding with warm-weather bedding - Clean pillows -most pillows can be machine washed, which rids them of mold, bacteria, and odors Bathrooms - Update first-aid kit - include a list of emergency phone numbers - Discard expired cosmetics and beauty products Closets - Replace cool-weather clothing with warm-weather items - Wash or dry-clean garments before storing them for the summer months - Donate apparel you no longer use to someone who would use them Home Office - Organize files - review insurance policies, contracts, and household inventories - Clean computers and other office equipment - use a solution of 1 drop mild dish-washing liquid per 1 qt of water - use a lint-free cloth to dry items Utility Spaces - Clean attic and basement - give away or discard unwanted items - divide the rest into 2 zones: 1 for things you'll need in the next 6 months and 1 for objects that may be unused for years - Protect items in the basement by using concrete blocks to keep them off the ground - make sure your washer & dryer are on elevated pedestals to prevent electrical shock during potential winter flooding Outdoor Spaces - Clean porch ceilings, walls, rails and steps - Scrub decks, patios, driveways, and walkways - Wash outdoor furniture - Check light fixtures and refresh with light bulbs as needed Hopefully these tips will make your annual Spring Cleaning go a little smoother! -- Lisa Doughty, Office Coordinator