Let the Spring Cleaning Begin!
Spring is nearly here, just weeks away, making this the perfect time to plan your strategy for the annual spring cleaning rituals. While some jobs are small, taking little time, others are large, requiring special equipment or professional cleaning services. Let’s begin at your home’s perimeter and work our way to the heart of your home.
Windows (Including Screens, Curtains, Drapes, and Blinds)
Let’s admit, cleaning windows and screens is no one’s favorite job! It takes time and lots of elbow grease to get the job done right, but clean windows and screens will allow the natural light to brighten your home’s interior all year long. For the screens, you’ll need your garden hose to get the job done quickly. For your windows, choose a not-too-sudsy soap, sponge or soft cloth, a squeegee, and soft, lint free cloths to complete the job. You’ll be glad you did!
While you’re working on your windows, now is the perfect time to clean curtains, drapes, and blinds. Washable fabrics can go straight into the wash for cleaning, while non-washable should go to your favorite professional dry cleaning service. Vinyl blinds (the most common type) can be taken to the tub for cleaning or outside on a concrete surface or in a wide basin.
Walls
Cleaning your walls is also a time intensive project, one which you may want to hire a professional service to accomplish for you. Of course, you can do a quick spot check by removing a picture form the wall and decide if it’s indeed time to wash the walls. If discoloration is evident, the time has come. To get the job done, you’ll need a step ladder, and working from the top down, wipe the walls with a mixture of water and your favorite wall-safe cleaner. Keep some absorbent, lint free cloths on hand for cleaning up drips and drying as needed.
Along the walls is where you find vents, air ducts, and even a chimney. Spring is the ideal time to have them cleaned, replace filters as needed, and have them inspected for safety.
Floors, Carpets, and Rugs
As you know well, floors and carpets bear the brunt of foot traffic in and out of your home year round. During the holiday season, traffic is often increased, making spring the perfect time to deep clean floors, carpets, and rugs. One you have deep cleaned your hard surface flooring – wood, tiles, laminate, etc. strip, wax, and re-seal the surface in need.
Next, deep clean carpets and rugs, a task which should be done annually to keep these floor coverings in tip-top condition. You can rent a machine and do it yourself, but this may be another task, you’ll want to leave to the professionals who have the state-of-the-art equipment and appropriate cleaners on hand.
Upholstered Furniture
Like carpets and rugs, your furniture upholstery needs deep cleaning annually. Appropriate cleaning methods vary based on fabric, so you’ll find specific instructions on each piece, clearly labeled. As with your carpets, you can DIY this project or let the professionals handle the job for you.
Mattresses, Pillows, and Bed Linens
In the best case scenario, taking your mattress outside for fresh air and sunshine is an option that will kill off any dust mites abiding within. If this isn’t a viable option for you, vacuum your mattress, then flip and rotate it to reduce wear and freshen it up every spring.
Your bed pillows should be washed every six months, and what better time than spring to do so. Regular detergent in the washer is all you need. Don’t use bleach or fabric softeners as they can damage the pillow’s filling. Once washed, your pillows can be fluffed in the dryer.
Spring is also a great time to wash blankets, comforters, and quilts. Again, all you need to ensure cleanliness is your usual detergent. If you’re washer and dryer isn’t equipped for the job, head to the laundromat for front-loading extra-large capacity machines to get the job done quickly and easily.
Whatever you need to get your spring cleaning done well, the team at Signature Maids is ready to help from whole home cleaning to specialized carpet cleaning.
