Cleaning House

Spring Cleaning

March 21, 2012

Today marks the first day of Spring! However, at our house, spring cleaning has been well underway since January. No, not induced by unseasonably warm weather but rather this hormonal mother. It’s called nesting, friendlies. And I’ve got a SERIOUS case of it. At least our little dollhouse is thankful for my rampages.

1. Change Bed & Shower Linens
Tuck away the heavy blankets in exchange for a lighter set of bedclothes. It’s so fun to have 2 sets (spring/summer & fall/winter). Don’t forget to wash the winter sheets before storing away. And what about your shower curtain? When was the last time it took a trip to the washer? Thought so. Most shower curtains and liners like THESE are washable.

2.Window Cleaning Tips

A change in seasons means it’s the perfect moment to let more natural light into your home. Dust and grime can accumulate over time, obstructing your view and dulling the ambiance of your space. Fear not; a few simple steps can restore that sparkling clarity to your windows. Firstly, invest in high-quality window cleaners designed to dissolve stubborn stains and leave your windows gleaming. Make sure to choose a cleaner suitable for your window type, whether it’s glass, vinyl, or any other material. Start by dusting off loose dirt and cobwebs using a soft brush or a microfiber cloth. Then, spray the window cleaner generously on the glass surface. Let it sit for a moment to break down the grime. Moreover, for a thorough and occasional deep cleaning to maintain the exterior appearance, consider contacting a pressure washing Manchester service. They can effectively clean exterior surfaces, including windows, to ensure a pristine and bright look for your home.

3. Musty Closets?
Closets have a tendency to get a bit musty, especially those that aren’t used regularly. A quick trick? Make a bundle of chalk using a rubber band and then tied with ribbon. Hang in an exposed space within the closet. The talc absorbs humidity which causes musty odors.

4. Dust Lamp Shades & Ceiling Fans
Using a hose attachment from a vacuum cleans most lamp shades. But some need extra TLC, including our friend the fan. Use a lint roller to snatch up sneaky dust that’s accumulated without it falling all over everything. Adorable teacup lamp found HERE.

5. Easy Orginization
Take everyday household items that aren’t being used and put them to good use. Take a mason jar and votive candle holder for instance. Fill the jar with cotton balls and top with a candle holder filled with q-tips. Your bathroom just got cleaner and cuter at the same time!

6. Removing Stainless Stains
Isn’t that ironic? Stainless steel becoming stained? Somehow hard water and use after use creates them. Use a washcloth dipped in distilled white vinegar to gently rub them away. Copper can be cleaned too. Take half a lemon and sprinkle with salt. Gently rub away the tarnish with the lemon and dry with a clean washcloth.

7. Everyone Should Own One
He stands besides Husby as my right hand man. And he’s called the ionatorHOM. I can’t live without him. Clean virtually ANYTHING (all metals, glass, electronics, appliances, washing produce, removing mild stains, hardwoods, pacifiers, yada yada yada) with ONLY tap water. Not kidding, friendlies. How can simple tap water get something clean? It’s new technology that ionizes water making it a cleaning master. I’ve thrown practically ALL of my other household cleaners AWAY. I wrote about him in THIS post and THIS site where you can buy one (note: the one listed on their site is the professional series. you can order the ionatorHOM by calling the number listed). Psst! Can’t buy an ionator but want a green clean approach? Make your own cleaning products as seen in THIS post.

8. White Washcloths
Not only are they good for cleaning my face but also my house. They work better than paper towels and can be reused when laundered. Guess what else works well? Cloth diapers/burp cloths. You know the kind made by Gerber. Taking a cue from the concept of reusable and eco-friendly alternatives, consider exploring the world of reusable bamboo towel. These innovative towels, available in various forms, seamlessly bridge the gap between functionality and environmental consciousness. Just as white washcloths demonstrate their resilience in both personal care and household tasks, reusable bamboo towels offer a sustainable solution for everyday spills and messes.

9. Removing Stains from Clothing
Unlike chlorine bleaches, Biokleen Bleach Plus doesn’t damage clothes while still working just as well. Added bonuses? It works on colors and uses Earth friendly ingredients. Leave it to Martha to give you all the nitty gritty about what to use on the long list of stains. Get her printable chart HERE.

10. Little Gems
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser one of the only cleaning products other than the ionator that I use. It’s great for cleaning scuff marks off wood floors, baseboards, and doors. Even works on getting crayon off the wall. Efferdent, kinda sounds like a swear word, doesn’t it? Well it’s great for getting hard to clean glass vases, bottles, and spray bottles clean. Just add hot water and drop one of these babies down the hatch.

11) Fridge Basics
Clean spills or leaks immediately instead of waiting for your spouse. Chances are he’s waiting for you to do it! Besides, the longer you wait the more bacteria grows and contaminates surrounding food. Clean out expired items or leftovers every time you go grocery shopping. Designate shelves as food categories (top for dairy & drinks, middle for fresh produce, bottom for raw meats stored in original packaging and wrapped in another bag), bi-monthly removal all shelves and clean with warm soapy water. Hardened crustys can be cleaned using a sprinkling of baking soda and the warm soapy water.

1. Bed Mattress – vacuum both sides & spray with THIS.

2. Hair Brushes – remove all hair. wash on the top rack of the dishwasher.

3. Trash Cans

4. Tops of cupboards, tall furniture, and refrigerator

5. Credit & Debit Cards (how many hands touch these daily?)

6. Doorknobs, Hand Railings & Light Switches

7. Exercise Equipment/Yoga Mats

8. Blinds & Window Ledges

9. Underside of Rugs (not only the floor but the backside of the rug itself)

10. Salt & Pepper Shakers (studies claim the dirtiest objects in homes).

 

  • Jaclyn Thayn March 21, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    The OCD clean freak is loving this post! Cant wait to get started on my stained stainless pots and pans! Thanks for the great tips:)

  • Caitlin Brashier March 21, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Seriously, look forward treading your blog everyday! I just pinned this on Pinterest and directed people to a fun loving mom who makes everyday special! And clean too, ha! Thanks for sharing your good ideas and tips for living the good life=with family first! LOVE it and your blog!

  • Allison March 22, 2012 at 2:22 am

    I’m getting antsy just reading this Missy! I feel the need to spring clean in a big way!

  • Lilli Toby March 23, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    I love anything that has to do with cleaning. I hate a dirty home and I love to spring clean.. Love this post.