The temperatures are getting warmer, the sun is making more of an appearance and the thought of long days by the pool are becoming more of a reality. Spring is here, and most of us couldn’t be more excited. This time of the year is when people have an inner drive to clean out the home. Imagine all the things your home has collected over the past year: birthday and holiday presents, clutter from first days of school and dust and grime galore. Now is the time to get a hold on this mess so that you can start fresh.
If you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Here are some cleaning and organizing tips from the pros!
Wash the Windows
Now that the weather is warming up, you should wash your windows. Pick a day that’s not too sunny, otherwise the solution will dry too quickly and leave streaks. You don’t need an expensive cleaner either. Try a window washing solution from Better Homes and Gardens that includes a ½ cup of sudsy ammonia, 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 gallon of water.
Clean Door Tracks
Your sliding glass doors accumulate a lot of dirt and debris over the winter, so give these a good cleaning. All you need is a vacuum and a wet paper towel or sponge to wipe up loose debris. For hard to reach areas, use a toothpick.
Baseboards and Door Frames
If you have kids or pets, they probably released a lot of energy indoors over the winter. Give your baseboards, door frames, walls and other overlooked areas a good cleaning. Use warm, soapy water for these areas; do be careful with painted walls and follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations. If the walls are worn, consider having them repainted. H.J. Holtz and Son can take care of this project for you while you’re on spring vacation – no mess or headache for you!
Dust Light Fixtures
Use a microfiber or lint-free cloth to dust fixtures and bulbs that you can reach. If they are extra grimy, use a cloth with vinegar.
Deep Clean Carpets
Vacuuming is okay for surface cleaning, but you’ll need more than this to lift dirt and odors. Luckily, you can do this task on your own each spring by renting a deep cleaner or investing in a professional-style model for home use.
Clean Under Furniture and Appliances
You can probably imagine how much dust accumulates under these surfaces, and it will blow around your home once you open your windows and doors. Vacuum and dust under area rugs, couches, kitchen appliances and electronics.
Freshen Up Furniture
Restore old furniture with new upholstery or repaint furniture to give it an entirely new look or stain color. H.J. Holtz and Son can help with this project, too. We use high-quality paints and are experienced in a variety of painting techniques such as faux bois and distressed looks.
Get Organized
Pick one room at a time and eliminate clutter in each room. Bring a few containers with you so that you can easily put stuff to donate in one box, stuff to pack away in another, etc. Put things away in their “homes,” and use organizing systems or bins for random items.