For millions of people, the beginning of spring means that it’s time to give their homes a thorough cleaning. How you prepare your house, though, makes a big difference in the results you get. Try the following six tips to make your home clean and lovely.
Open the Windows for Fresh Air
Most people don’t realize that the air inside their homes contains much more pollution than the outdoor air. Outside air has the opportunity to move freely, which helps distribute pollutants instead of letting them accumulate in one spot. Inside, pollutants don’t have anywhere to go.
Some of the most common sources of indoor air pollution include:
- Candles
- Air fresheners
- Cleaning products (many are full of ammonia)
- Smoke from cooking
- Carpet (many contain volatile organic compounds, VOCs, that can cause serious health issues).
As soon as the weather gets warm enough, open a few windows to circulate your indoor air. If you have a box fan, put it in the window to blow indoor air outside. After the winter months, your home and family deserve fresh air.
Wash Your Window Exteriors
Wash your window exteriors so you have a clear view of the budding flowers and active birds. Don’t count on heavy rain to do the job for you. Rainwater often contains dirt and pollutants that will make your windows even dirtier. Grab a squeegee and get to work!
Pull Back the Furniture and Dust Everything
Regular dusting can make you feel like you have a clean home. Unfortunately, the areas you don’t see collect dirt, dust and other irritants throughout the year. Spring cleaning gives you an opportunity to address the issue and eliminate those dust bunnies.
You will need to pull all of your furniture away from the walls to find hidden dust. You won’t believe the messes you find along your floor molding. Sweep or vacuum the debris to make your home cleaner and healthier.
If members of your household have allergies, you should consider doing this several times a year. You should also find an allergen-friendly sofa that won’t cause unpleasant reactions.
Clean Your Gutters
Many areas experienced increased rainfall during spring. Clogged gutters can’t direct the water away from your house. As a result, you could get a flooded basement that costs you thousands of dollars to fix.
Clean your gutters at the beginning of spring so they can usher rainwater away from your foundation. A little work will significantly lower your risk of flooding.
You might find that you can clean your gutters with a water hose and ladder. Don’t take any chances that could lead to injuries, though. If you feel uncomfortable doing the job on your own, hire a professional. They don’t cost as much as you might think.
Clean Your Outdoor Furniture
As the temperatures rise, you will start looking forward to spending more time outside. Whether you store your furniture for the winter or leave it sitting outdoors, you need to clean the items before using them.
How you clean your furniture depends on the material it’s made of.
For outdoor cushions, mix one tablespoon of borax and one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent into a quart of warm water. Use a spray bottle to saturate the cushions and let them sit for about 15 minutes before you rinse them with water from a hose.
Clean canvas seats by taking them off the furniture and washing them in your washing machine. If you cannot remove the fabric, scrub it with water and laundry soap.
If you have plastic lawn chairs and tables, you can use an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt. Treat white plastic furniture a little differently, though, by mixing a gallon of warm water with three tablespoons of dishwashing detergent that contains bleach. The bleach will help your furniture look white and clean for the upcoming summer season.
Keep Your Home Clean All Year
Trying to tidy your home at the beginning of spring gives you a chance to start over. It’s even better to keep your home clean all year. That way, you can deep clean each room efficiently.
Some hacks for keeping your home tidy include:
- Using lemon oil to clean the inside of your microwave.
- Spreading baking soda on carpets to remove odors while you vacuum.
- Unclogging your sink with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
You will still want to tackle some problem areas during your spring cleaning, but keeping up with chores during the year won’t leave you feeling so exhausted.
Conclusion
Few things feel more enjoyable than relaxing in a clean home on a warm, spring day. What steps will you take to make your house even more pleasant this season?
