Refreshing Your Home for Spring

Image:

It's been a long, cold, messy winter for most of the U.S., and most of us are looking forward to warmer temperatures so we can let some fresh air in the house. Part of spring's theme is "freshening up," and that’s usually on our minds when we think of spring cleaning.

Beyond the Basics
When you clean house, you put things away, wash dishes, dust the furniture and windowsills, vacuum and clean bathrooms. Sometimes you take shortcuts and sometimes you are more thorough, but there are a couple of times a year when you actually get down and dirty to clean the deep stuff. In addition to the basic cleaning, the guide below is a handy way to remember those chores you might otherwise forget:

Kitchen:

• Clean the oven, then use an oven liner mat to make oven cleaning easier in the future.
• Clean out the refrigerator and get rid of expired jars and bottles of food.
• Clean behind and on top of the refrigerator.
• Wipe down the outside of the cabinets. You might be surprised at how much grease and dirt can accumulate there!
• Wipe down anything on the countertops—spice racks, canisters, small appliances…anything that can accumulate grime over time.

Bathrooms:

• Wipe down the outside of the cabinets.
• Clean the light fixtures.
• Toss any expired medications or beauty products.
• Restock first aid kit.
• Wash the shower curtain and liner, as well as any rugs.

Bedrooms:

• Turn your mattresses – This should be done twice a year for even mattress wear.
• Wash the mattress pads on all the beds.
• Wash the curtains.
• Clean out your closets.  Now is a good time to donate anything you did not wear all winter or items that no longer fit.
• Dust lampshades. Use a lint roller to make this job easier.

Living Room:

• Turn and vacuum furniture cushions.
• Dust lampshades.
• Vacuum or dry mop under and behind furniture.
• Wash the curtains.

Laundry Room

• Clean behind the washer and dryer.
• Wipe off the tops of the washer and dryer.
• Vacuum the dryer hose.

All Over the House

• Wash the windows. (You already have them open—why not wash them?)
• Get rid of cobwebs – This should be done more often, but it's hard to remember to look for them!
• Dust baseboards.
• Wash throw rugs.
• Take garbage cans outside and wash them with hot soapy water.
• Clean door knobs and light switches.
• Sweep all the sand and salt out of the garage.
• Pay special attention to flooring at doorways—your family has probably tracked in sand and salt from outside.

When you're all done, go out to dinner! You've earned it—and besides, you don't want to mess up your nice clean kitchen immediately!

• Spring Home Maintenance

  

  Now that your house is all clean and ready for spring, it’s time to take care of your car. From washing and waxing to topping off fluids, there’s plenty to do!

  Get Tips

• Spring Car Maintenance

  

  Now that your house is all clean and ready for spring, it’s time to take care of your car. From washing and waxing to topping off fluids, there’s plenty to do!

  Get Details

• Spring Storms

  

  Spring storms are unavoidable in the Midwest. Review these tips to figure out how to prepare so you’re as prepared as you can be when the time comes.

  Get Ready