Easy Spring Cleaning Ideas to Freshen Up Your Home

Now that spring is here, it’s time to dust off those winter cobwebs and bring some freshness into your home. Even if you have kept a regular cleaning regime during the colder months, opening up a window and letting the sunlight in will reveal where the dust has been hiding all winter. Here are a few ideas for making your home spring ready.

Windows

Multiple rainy days have left their mark on your windows. Wash them on a cloudy day so the sun doesn’t dry the cleanser before you can wipe it off, and start on the shady side of the house. A simple way to spot streaks is to wash with horizontal strokes on one side and with vertical strokes on the other, this way you will know which side has the streaks. Wait for a sunny day to dust the windows because the sunlight will reveal where the particles have settled.

Start dusting

On a sunnier day, open your windows and start dusting the areas that might have been neglected during winter, such as lamp shades, drapes and in between the blinds. Speed up the cleaning process by using a lint roller on the lamp shades and throwing the curtains and throw pillows into the dryer to freshen them up. Once they’re done, rehang them immediately to prevent wrinkles.

Carpets

Steam mops and vacuums are useful for carpet cleaning, and if it has developed a smell then use baking soda as a deodorizer. Even white carpets can be renewed with a simple solution of white vinegar in warm water. Pour mixture into a bottle, spray it onto any distinctive stains, rub with a sponge, and pat dry with paper towels.

Mattress

Once spring arrives, you will want to switch your bedsheets from warm wool to breathable cotton, so your bedroom is not too stuffy. Now would also be a good time to pay attention to the mattress under the sheets. Using your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools, press firmly into the mattress to clean the sides. Spray with mild soap to get rid of stains, leave them to dry, and then sanitise them with a disinfectant spray.

Oven

Between Christmas, and several winter casseroles, your oven probably went through a lot over the winter months and has built up a lot of gunk and grease. It may be a daunting task, but it’s time to clean out the burnt on residue. Gently chip off any loose pieces, then get rid of any other burnt on food with ammonia spray. Then sprinkle on some homemade oven cleaner, as this will have less toxic ingredients that are safer for your home.

Clean your tools

Your best efforts with spring cleaning won’t amount to much if the tools you are using are not clean. Pull the dust and hair clumps from your broom and dustpan brush, refresh your mop with a new, clean mop head, and tune up your vacuum cleaner by replacing the bag and washing the filters.