Spring is in the air, so open those windows and let the sunshine in. By doing a few chores everyday your spring cleaning will be done in no time.
I like to start at the top and work my way down. Start with a vacuum to remove dust from the dark corners of your ceiling. While the vacuum is out you can pick up the excess dust on your baseboards. A damp cloth with your favorite diluted cleanser is great for wiping walls and baseboards. Don’t forget light fixtures and ceiling fan blades. A little glass cleaner will have your picture frames shining and transparent again. Let’s not forget all our favorite, lovely tchotchkes — the dust has settled on them also. Tackle one area at a time, remove all décor, wipe with a dry or damp cloth depending on the material, dust the service and rearrange your décor for a fresh new look.
Windows … everyone loves to enjoy the beautiful view of our lovely Catskill Mountains … but Uggh cleaning windows is not our favorite chore! Start with removing the window plastic that you may have installed to keep out the winter cold. From there move on to washing the curtains. Please follow the cleaning instructions for your drapes as they may differ. Blinds and shades should also be wiped down. Screens should be taken off; use a brush to remove debris and then wipe with soapy water and spray clean with a garden hose. There are many solutions for cleaning window glass, commercial glass cleaner like Windex or Glass Plus, or you can try a popular homemade solution. For example add the following into a clean spray bottle: ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, ¼ cup white vinegar, 1Tbsp cornstarch (yes, cornstarch), 2 cups warm water and shake well to mix the cornstarch. Clean and dry windows with a good quality microfiber cloth or even black and white newspaper.
We have all been huddled under our throw blankets during these chilly winter months. Let’s get those blankets washed, and maybe even hung out on the clothesline to dry in the warm spring breeze. The chair and couch cushions are next. Take them outside, shake them or gently beat them to remove accumulated dust. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning spills or stains on the cushions. Barefoot weather is quickly approaching, and we want those floors squeaky clean so vacuum and steam clean the carpets or sweep and mop the floors. I also like to clean, change, or replace a few items to ensure we’re being safe, such as air filters, water filters, smoke alarms, and heating register or vent covers.
Take a deep breath … look at all you have accomplished. Exhale and enjoy this season of growth and renewal.
