Spring Cleaning - A How-To Guide
How to complete Spring Cleaning, split into 5 key areas.
Spring is the perfect time to give your home a deep clean and refresh your space after the long winter months. But where should you start? Here are the top five areas to focus on for an effective and satisfying spring cleaning session.
1. Floors and Carpets
In Toronto, winter can take a toll on your floors with salt, dirt and moisture being tracked inside.
Floors: Vacuum thoroughly from wall to wall, and then clean your floors with a real mop. (Swiffer Wet Jets are great for maintenance cleaning and small spills but sometimes the only thing that gets the job done right is a mop and bucket)
Carpets and Rugs: Thoroughly vacuum wall to wall carpeting. Take rugs outside and shake them out thoroughly. Batting them with a baseball bat can do the trick! Consider steam cleaning or shampooing to remove deep-seated dirt and allergens.
Entryway Mats: Shake out and then wash mats to remove salt and mud buildup.
2. Windows, Window Sills & Window Treatments
More natural light is one of the best parts of spring, but dirty windows can block that brightness. Give your windows a full refresh by:
Windows: Washing both interior and exterior (if possible. To remove excess grime, start first with dish soap, sponge, hot water and a squeegee. Use the hot water, sponge and dishsoap to lather up the window and remove grime. Wipe clean with a squeegee. Make it shine with a streak-free glass cleaner and a glass cloth.
Window Sills and Tracks: Don’t forget the window tracks and sills. Using a bamboo skewer for the nooks and crannies will do wonders.
Window Treatments (Blinds & Curtains): For blinds, use tongs with a cloth and gently glide over each blind to remove dust. Dust curtains or remove and launder if necessary.
4. Kitchen
After months of heavy use, your kitchen deserves a deep clean. Focus on:
Appliances: The inside of fridges, ovens and microwaves can be neglected. Spring cleaning is the perfect time. Tip: Do not use the self-cleaning feature on ovens, it can be dangerous and is not good for the oven. Use a product like Easy-Off, and let sit for at least 1 hour before using a scraper to clean. (read and follow instructions of the product)
Cabinets and Drawers: Declutter expired items, wipe down shelves, and reorganize.
Garbage, Recycling, and Compost: Clean out the outside and inside of garbarge, recycling and compost bins.
5. Forgotten Spots: Baseboards, Switches, Outlets and Light Fixtures
These often-overlooked areas collect dust and grime over time. Give them a thorough clean by:
Baseboards: Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust. If dust/derbis is caked on, wipe down with a damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaning product. You can also use a mop to clean baseboard.
Light Switches: Clean light fixtures with a magic eraser (or any dupe from Dollarama!). They really do work like magic, you will be amazed.
Light Fixtures: Use a step ladder and wipe down dusty light fixtures with a damp cloth.
Walls: Use magic eraser (or magic eraser dupes) to remove marks from walls. This oft-forgotten task will instantly freshen up your space.
