It’s that time again. Winter is over and Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to get out those rubber gloves and get to work.
There is nothing quite as satisfying as a home after spring cleaning. The freshness just makes you feel good. If you’ve got 5-10 mins to spare a day, you can have your house clean in no time!
Good Housekeeping compiled a list of the most important cleaning tasks and how to tackle them, to help you get on track to having a clean home.
Door Mats
Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside.
To refresh, hose off and air-dry mats. Vacuum indoor ones on both sides — going over the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it will be easier to pick up.
Windows
Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the house, as direct sun can lead to streaks. “Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth,” says Carolyn Forte, Director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster like Swiffer and finish by vacuuming fabric shades and drapes.”
Kitchen Sink
Got kitchen stink you just can’t kick? Try running a couple of lemon rind slivers through your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to dispel the smell.
Your Microwave
Enough with the tomato sauce stains — this trick will make cleaning ’em up easier. Place large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it sit to cool for 15 minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe out the inside and outside with a sponge.
Your Cutting Boards
If you think that nasty mark is permanent, you’re wrong. Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to remove food stains and smells. Want an extra cleaning oomph? Sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
Your Fridge
You probably wipe down your fridge’s interior shelving on the regular already, but don’t forget about the rest. Pop out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage.
Your Junk Drawer
Start small and pick your stash spot. Empty it out and suck up dust with your vacuum’s nozzle. “Toss or relocate any items you no longer need or that don’t belong there,” Forte says. Everything else goes back, but this time in an organized manner. Repurpose pretty plates and bowls to store cords, stamps, and other odds and ends. A nonslip liner will keep them in place.
Your Shower Curtain
Yep, you can wash a plastic or vinyl curtain in your washing machine. Do it on the gentle cycle with detergent and add a couple of bath towels for extra cleaning power. Then hang it to dry. To keep the curtain cleaner longer, spritz it a few times each month with a bleach-containing all-purpose cleaner. Then just let the shower rinse it off (before you hop in).
Your Tile Grout
Trust us when we say this 15-minute task makes a huge difference in your bathroom if you have white (not colored) grout. “Spray grout with Good Housekeeping Lab pick CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner,” says Forte. “Let it set for several minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush like the Casabella Smart Scrub Grout Brush and rinse.”
Your Shower/Tub Drain
To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes — longer does not work any better. Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially good for seldom-used drains, like in a guest bathroom.
Your Curtains
Put your dryer to work and toss drapes, curtains, and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the “air-only” cycle, then rehang immediately to prevent wrinkles.
Your Ceilings
Spring cleaning season is all about focusing on the spots you forget about the rest of the year. Grab an extendable duster and attack ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, moldings and more.
Your Kids’ Toys
Don’t overlook the convenience of your dishwasher. It can take on more than just plates, including your children’s (and pet’s) plastic toys. Just choose the crystal or quick cycle and skip the heated dry. For stuffed animals, check the care tag first and then gather in a mesh bag or pillowcase and throw in the washer on a gentle cycle. A quick once-over with a lint roller can help too.
Your Mattress
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to pay attention to the thing under the sheets. Press firmly with your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean the top and sides. After cleaning, rinse with a damp cloth and blot dry. Then sanitize with a disinfectant spray like Lysol. Steam from a garment steamer or iron will also kill dust mites near the surface. Vacuum afterwards.
Your Phone
Bad news: Your cell phone probably harbors more germs than your toilet seat. That’s why you should give it a once over with an alcohol wipe to zap germs, as well as other electronics, like your TV remote and computer mouse.
Your Purse
Take everything out and organize items by category, tossing any trash, of course. Sort smaller items, like lipsticks, into little pouches or purse organizers, before you put them back inside. And wipe it down the exterior with a disinfectant wipe while you’re at it. About half all women’s bags have fecal bacteria on them — and so we’re pretty sure that fact speaks for itself.
Your Vacuum
Yes, you have to clean your cleaners. Replace the bag, clean the dust cup, and replace or wash the filters. Snip threads snarled in the brush with scissors or a seam ripper. For the best carpet cleaning in the future, set your vacuum’s nozzle to the lowest level that lets you push it comfortably. For bare floors, turn off the rotating brush or use the bare-floor brush attachment.
Your Patio Furniture
With warm weather almost here, it’s time to get your outdoor furniture ready for lounging. To do this, add a squirt of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, then wipe down tables and chairs. Finish it all off with a spray of water from the garden hose.
