The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising and the snow is melting. There’s no doubt spring has arrived, and with it, a subconscious desire to clean up and get everything back in order.
Before the hot weather sets in, the months of April and May are the ideal time for a big spring cleaning. It’s the perfect opportunity to sort through your closets and thoroughly clean your condo. If the idea of attacking this great cleanup seems overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, here are some great tips and suggestions.
Before starting
- Make a list of everything you have to do. This will allow you to better organise your time and you’ll have the satisfaction of crossing things off your list as your cleanup advances.
- You can also do your cleanup room by room. Instead of trying to do everything in one day, divide your spring cleaning over the course of several weekends by attacking one or two areas at a time.
- Make sure you have all the products and accessories needed for your cleanup before starting: soaps, vinegar, rags, paper towels, broom, vacuum, garbage bags, gloves, etc.
- During and after your cleaning you should open up the windows to air the space out. After being holed up all winter it’s good to let some fresh air into your condo.
- To make things a little easier, put your friends or family to work with you. Your spring cleaning will be more pleasant and take much less time.
Carpets
We’re constantly walking on our carpets and not wiping our shoes before placing them at the entrance. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to give those carpets a thorough cleaning.
For small carpets, for example those located in front of a door, first shake them off to remove dust and dirt, preferably outside. If you have larger carpets, you can rent a carpet steamer/cleaner that can also be used to clean armchairs and sofas.
Stubborn stains can also be taken care of using a stain remover or baking soda to absorb grease. Just sprinkle a little on the spots and let it sink in a few hours before using the carpet cleaner.
Bedding, cushions and armchairs
In the bedroom, take the opportunity to clean the bedding. Turn over the mattress before vacuuming it and then clean the comforter, pillows and covers.
Vacuum cleaners can also be used on sofas and armchairs and under the cushions. If the cushions have covers, remove and wash them.
Windows and mirrors
If it’s too difficult to wash the window exteriors because you’re high up, you can still wash them from the inside.
A mixture of water and vinegar is a simple solution to make windows and mirrors shine. Good tip: don’t wash the windows in the sun and use newspaper to wipe them after, it leaves less residue than rags or paper towels. For the eager cleaner, a hair dryer can be useful for a truly touch-free dry.
For blinds, everything depends on their condition. You can either simply dust them, give them a little sweep, or if they are really dirty, use a small damp cloth or water and vinegar spray to wipe them down. Curtains can simply be dusted with a vacuum cleaner and smoothed with a steam iron.
Closets
We accumulate all types of clothes and accessories throughout the year. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to do some sorting. It’s also the time to swap out your winter clothes for stuff more suitable to the summer season.
Kitchen
The kitchen is a room that requires a little more effort. It’s the time of year to get rid of grease stains that accumulated on cabinet doors or outside drawers. Also don’t forget to give your kitchen cabinets a good dusting, above and inside.
The refrigerator and freezer should not be neglected. Dispose of obsolete or expired products and clean the drawers and shelves with a mixture of hot water and vinegar. Remember to also clean the outside of the refrigerator, not to mention the top, the back and the coils behind.
Spring Cleaning also means cleaning the oven, microwave and exhaust fan. First check whether the exhaust fan filter needs to be replaced. Remember to also clean and disinfect the garbage bin. You can also clean the dishwasher, both inside and outside. For the inside, simply activate the clean cycle while it’s empty and use the appropriate dishwasher detergent.
For large, stubborn stains, some lemon juice in warm water will work miracles.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, first tackle the medicine cabinet and drawers. Take all the products out of the cabinets first and discard the items that have expired or are never used. Then you can clean the mirrors and the bathroom fan and make the faucets shine. The shower and/or bath is the final step and they need to be thoroughly cleaned. If necessary, redo the grout as well.
Floors and walls
A spring cleaning is not complete without doing the walls, baseboards and floors. Beyond simply sweeping or mopping quickly, make sure to wash the baseboards well by thoroughly wiping them down with a small wet cloth. Wipe the walls and ceilings to remove all dust, using a sweeper or broom covered with an old sweater. Wipe down walls that often get touched.
Fans and fixtures
Often neglected during regular household cleanings, we breathe in dust and dirt from the ceiling and air vents. A damp cloth can be used for this. The same thing should be done with hanging lights and lamps.
It’s also a good time to check if the air conditioner filter needs to be cleaned.
Balcony
Wait for a beautiful day to clean the floor, walls, patio furniture and flower pots. Use lukewarm water with a little dishwasher detergent.
Heading: Source
