Spring Cleaning Time!

The polar vortex seems to have finally left and with the warmer weather come thoughts of spring cleaning. Spring cleaning isn’t quite the ritual it once was, but there’s still a basic human need to open up and spruce up our homes when the weather gets warmer. To help you scratch your itch to spring clean, here are some spring cleaning tips for those pieces and parts of your home that are most neglected throughout the year.

Before you begin, turn up the tunes with a Pandora or Spotify spring cleaning playlist--now you’re ready to tackle your spring cleaning list:

Walls: Dust your walls with your vacuum brush attachment, then clean using an all-purpose cleaner and rinse. Don’t use a spray cleaner, which will only leave streaks on your walls. Instead, soak a cloth in cleaner, then wipe. To rinse, follow up with a clean cloth soaked in plain water. Repair your walls by patching holes and dings and touching up paint. 

Baseboards: Dust with a microfiber cloth or use your vacuum brush attachment, then spray with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe clean. Clean your baseboards after you clean your floors since cleaning floors tends to kick debris up onto baseboards. 

Windows: Use a microfiber cloth soaked in a solution of ¼ cup vinegar, ¼ to ½ teaspoon dish soap, and 2 cups water. Don’t be tempted to use more vinegar--too much can make windows appear cloudy.

Window screens: To deep clean your window screens, you should remove them. Place outside on a tarp or other clean waterproof surface, then use a garden hose, an all-purpose cleaner, and a soft brush (gently on the screen) to clean. Repair any tears. When removing your screens and hardware, label their location as you go to make re-installing them a breeze.

Shelves: Remove all items from shelves and dust both the items and the shelves. Use museum putty to secure items that tend to fall over.

Driveway: Use a pressure washer to give your driveway (and garage floor) a good cleaning. It’s amazing what a difference a sparkling driveway makes to your home’s curb appeal. Try using Coke or Pepsi to remove oil and grease stains. It’ll take a little elbow grease, too, but the acidity of dark colas helps remove oil stains, as well as other tough stains, such as rust.

Siding: Using warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush attached to a long handle, clean your home in sections small enough to keep soapy water from drying before you can rinse. Pressure washers can make the job easier, but if you’re a power-washer newbie, you risk stripping off paint or damaging your siding. Try one of the newer, lighter, electric power washers, which are easier to handle, or stick with the old-fashioned method. Either way, wash from the bottom up to help prevent streaking. 

Upholstery: Vacuum your sofas and chairs. Spot clean or steam clean as needed. To spot clean, use “whipped detergent” (a mixture of half dish soap and half water). Beat to a froth. Soak a cloth in the mixture, wash the stain, then rinse with a cloth soaked in fresh water. Freshen dusty pillows, throws, and curtains by tossing them in the dryer on low or no heat. Or, take them outside on a nice day to fluff and bask in the sun as an energy-saving alternative.

Ceiling fans: Spray the inside of an old pillowcase with cleaning solution, then slip the bag over each blade and wipe clean. Before you go up a ladder to clean your ceiling fan, check to see if the fan is turning in the right direction to keep your home cool. If you feel a breeze underneath the blades when turned on, your fan is set for summer. If you don’t feel a breeze, change the direction.

Air conditioners: Change your air conditioner filter, or clean it by soaking it in a vinegar-and-water solution for 1 to 4 hours (depending on how long it’s been since you last cleaned). Let dry completely before replacing. Let the filter dry outside in bright sunshine to kill bacteria and to help remove odors.

Now that your home has had a thorough cleaning, it's time to relax, kick off the shoes, and begin thoughts of planting your summer garden!

Andy Tabor, Realtor, GRI Prudential Lucien Realty

Mobile: 216-235-5352
E-Fax: 216-456-2353

www.lakewoodohiohome.com 

Helping clients become homeowners and profitable investors since 1978.

Andreas Tabor

Andy Tabor is a REALTOR with Prudential Lucien Realty since 1978. Having lived in Lakewood most of his life and having raised his family here, he enjoys promoting the opportunities that "Living in Lakewood" has to offer.
www.lakewoodohiohome.com 

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Volume 10, Issue 8, Posted 2:32 PM, 04.15.2014