For many of us, the change of seasons isn’t just a change of the weather, it’s the chance for us to make some changes in our lives as well. Whether that’s swapping clothes and shoes, making necessary seasonal home maintenance repairs or simply adopting new habits the beginning of a new season is a chance for a fresh start.
The beginning of spring is a chance for most of us to throw back the curtains, open the windows and take care of those cleaning tasks we’ve neglected during the energy-zapping winter months.
In a previous post, we talked about some essential spring home maintenance projects to tackle. Now let’s take a look at some simple spring cleaning tips that are often overlooked.
Your Dishwasher
You take care to make sure your kitchen floors and counters are sparkling, but a common area that gets overlooked? The interior and exterior of the dishwasher. Your dishwasher works hard to remove sauces and other food from your pots, pans and plates, which is why it needs a thorough cleaning once in a while. To do this, simply remove any food pieces from the bottom of the appliance and then use a specialty dishwasher cleanser. Don’t forget to wipe down the exterior of your dishwasher, too.
Your Washing Machine
Like your dishwasher, your washing machine does a lot of work to keep your clothes looking good, but we often don’t think about cleaning the inside of the machine. After all, the interior gets covered with soap and water regularly, how dirty could it possibly be?
Over time, the agitator and tub can accumulate bits of grime and dirt, which can lead to a musty smell. If the interior of your machine smells less than fresh or you simply want to keep it smelling fresh, use white vinegar and baking soda to clean it. Just add hot water to the machine, add the vinegar and baking soda, let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes, then restart your machine, and let it drain and dry.
Your Mattress
The next time you wash your sheets and bed linens, take a little extra time to make sure your mattress gets a little cleaner. While you can’t fit your mattress in your washing machine, you can clean it. Use your vacuum’s crevice tool to remove debris from the sides and surface of the mattress. If you notice any stains, simply use spot cleaners to treat them. A spray of disinfectant spray will leave your bed fresh and clean.
Your Medicine Cabinet
Take a look through your medications and properly dispose of any expired or unneeded medications.
Your Pantry and Refrigerator
Go through your cabinets, pantry and refrigerator and discard any expired food or drink. If you have unexpired canned or other shelf-stable items you won’t be using, consider donating them to a food pantry.
Your Broom
Before (or after) you tackle bigger spring cleaning projects, take a look at your broom. Chances are it likely has some dust or hair clumps stuck to the bottom. Make it look like new again by either using your vacuum attachment to remove them or briefly swishing the bristles in a bucket of warm, soapy water.
These simple spring cleaning tips can make your home clean and fresh with minimal effort. If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of tackling a big spring clean, get help. Ask friends or family members to come over for the day and work as a team. What spring cleaning tips are your favorite? Share them in the comments below.
