After winter, time spent indoors leaves you with a house that needs a deep tidy. Soon, warmer spring weather will draw you into outdoor activities with family and friends, so now is the time to take a look around and assess the ‘damage’ from hibernation. To help you on your way to creating a springtime ready space, we’ve put together these simple yet effective spring cleaning strategies…
1. Spring clean your home organization
Besides the beautiful aesthetic of a tidy home, the biggest and best reason for spring cleaning is the satisfying feeling of reclaiming your space. Systematically sorting through your house room by room, piece by piece you are able to redesign how you use it to its absolute optimum. Springtime is a great opportunity to not only embark upon a general tidy-up, but to install some helpful home organisation systems that will make life flow more easily and with joy in the new season.
If this all seems like a daunting task, then how about trying just a couple of easy-to-implement ideas? Just one or two small changes can make a massive difference, and could even be the catalyst for more change. Consider installing a simple tension rod below your kitchen sink to hook and organise all of your spray nozzle bottles, which will in turn assist you in achieving the big spring clean. A good old lazy susan in just about any cabinet will enable you to quickly see and access items of any kind. Out in the garage, you could attach metal “J” hooks to your ceiling beams, then use them to take clutter up off the floor, including garden tools, kids’ toys and tangles of electrical cords.
2. Easy refrigerator cleaning
Okay, we know it’s got to be done but does the idea of cleaning under your refrigerator leave you cold? Brrrr! It’s no wonder. Who wants to go through the aggravation of moving that gigantic metal beast and risking damage to the surface of kitchen flooring, sweeping out all of the crud from behind it and then heaving the monster back again? Feel like giving up before you started? Well, maybe you can. Never dread this task again once you try this simple yet effective tip: Stretch an old pair of tights or stockings over a yardstick. Then use it to reach and sweep all of the dust and debris out from under your fridge.
3. Swap grease for oil
It’s time to admit that you have been cooking on a less-than-pristine stove for, well, months now. The solution to stubborn grease is as simple as it is counterintuitive: mineral oil. Just put a few drops of mineral oil on a paper towel and rub it over your stovetop or hood. The grease build-up will disappear as if by magic.
4. Don’t let cleaning mini blinds become a maxi problem
Some cleaning gurus might recommend the dishwasher as a way to make your blinds sparkle. Before you go through the hassle of taking them down, try this much simpler cleaning solution. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl. Then dip an old sock in the solution and rub it across the slats of your blinds. If desired, use another sock to dry the blinds when you’re through.
5. Don’t let water rings spin you in circles
Let’s face it, people don’t always use coasters. What you’re left with is a very visible white ring left by the bottom of a wet glass or drinks can on your wooden table. Before you go through the aggravation of refinishing the entire piece, hold a blow dryer close to the ring for a few minutes (don’t leave unattended). Watch in amazement as that white circle disappears. Then use mineral oil to recondition the wood.
6. Say goodbye to carpet stains
If you have a busy, active family, stains are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you need to live with them. For easy removal, just mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. Apply it to the stain and place a rag that has also been saturated with the vinegar solution over the area. Use the steam setting on your iron to iron the rag for a half minute, more if the stain is very stubborn. When you remove the rag, the stain should come with it.
7. Use an unlikely substance to clean stainless steel appliances
Who knew that cream of tartar was anything more than an ingredient used to make meringues? Take it off the top shelf and apply it to any stainless steel surface. Just mix a tablespoon of it with just enough water to make it into a milky paste and apply to any stainless steel surface. When you wipe it away, it will take undesirable buildup and unsightly stains with it.
This time each year, spring gives you the opportunity to freshen, organize and renew. Since you’re already taking the time to make over your home’s interior, why not spruce up the exterior too. With all that snow, sludge and slosh that’s been accumulating on your roof, who knows what’s lurking in your gutters!
Recommended reading: Landscaping and gardening tips to help you love your yard
