5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning Tasks to get done before spring is official.
Have I mentioned that spring is my favorite time of the year? Being spoiled in March with sunny days reaching into the 70s does two things for me. First, I root through my summer clothes for a springtime dress (which leaves a bit of a mess in the closet). Second, I notice all of the spring cleaning routine things to do– windows that need washing, flower beds that need cleaning out, closets rearranged, and so on. Not to mention the sunshine seems to really expose the handprints on the wall.
But, knowing spring is just not quite here yet, I hold back the urge to start some of these spring-cleaning tasks. It just isn’t time to do some of them. But, if you are like me, you also don’t want to go into the spring with that ever-increasing list of things to do. You want to enjoy the sunshine and leave hibernation to play with the family outside. So, here are a few things to get knocked off the list while you wait for the last few weeks of cold weather to taper off.
1. Baseboards
Oh, so overlooked baseboards. So underappreciated, so necessary and so beat up. They take the brunt of the wear and tear of both the walls and the floor. They collect dust, take blows from the vacuum, and a number of other abuses.
Dirty and beat-up baseboards (and trim work in general) can really age a room. Even though they may not be what you focus on in a room, the eyes do see them.
Start here with a good wipe-down. To add a fresh aroma throughout the house, including a few drops of your favorite essential oil into your cleaning bucket. If they are really beat up, break out the paint and give them a quick once-over with fresh paint. While you’re at it, check your doors and door trim.
Tip: A quick way to paint baseboards is to take a large metal spackling knife and press it firmly at the top of the baseboard and the wall. The knife creates a backsplash to paint against. Wipe the spackling knife as you go down the baseboard to prevent any smearing of paint onto the wall.
2. Kitchen Appliances
Another large task is the larger kitchen appliances. However, cleaning appliances such as your fridge and freezer, washing machine, dryer, stove, and dishwasher are chores you can get knocked off the list while the weather is still chilly. As a matter of fact, cleaning your stove will be a job best suited for cooler weather, as it tends to heat the house up.
Your larger kitchen appliances will have taken a beating through the holiday season, so freshen them up and give them a deep clean. One of my favorite DIY cleaners is a ½ & ½ ratio of regular blue Dawn and white vinegar. It is great for getting glass, sinks, porcelain, windows and the exterior of appliances sparkling clean. This combination does wonders on greasy areas such as stoves and microwaves.
Mix the two ingredients in a spray bottle, spray, and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Wipe off with a damp rag and finish the glass off with a lint-free towel. (This cleaner is also great for the bathroom.)
Don’t forget the washing machine. Run an empty warm/hot wash with lemon and vinegar and let stand for a few hours before finishing the cycle. This will get any smells and yucky grime out of your washing machine.
These freshened-up appliances will help you cheerfully bring in the spring season, as you look forward to picnics and barbecues.