Although resolutions may be made in January, for many the new year starts in spring, with the annual ritual of spring cleaning. If you're not sure where to begin, this page can help you learn how to spring clean a house.
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Professional decorator Ann Myrick explains ways to prepare for spring cleaning your house in this video. She says before you actually begin cleaning, you should organize. Myrick recommends going room-to-room in your house, taking stock of what needs to be done and then writing everything down. Once you have your list you can prioritize and start cleaning.
Introduction
- A thorough spring cleaning will get both you and your house ready to throw off the winter doldrums. Get organized, toss out clutter, gather your supplies, and make a plan to get it all done. Then plan to sit back and enjoy your freshly cleaned home!
Step 1: Toss Clutter
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- Before you begin to spring clean is a great time to get rid of things you don't need. You don't need to waste time cleaning clutter.
- Ruthlessly go through each room of the house discarding old, broken, and non-functional items
- Toss things that work but you do not have a need for into bags to give to charity.
- Use the desire to reduce what you need to clean to motivate you to let go.
Step 2: Spring Cleaning Supplies
- The second step in preparing to spring clean is to make sure you have everything you'll need on hand.
Cleaning
Several bottles of an all-purpose cleaner
Toilet bowl cleaner
Oven cleaner, unless you have a self-cleaning oven.
Dish soap
Glass cleaner
Wood polish
Cleaning Equipment
Feather or lamb's wool duster
Toilet brush
Vacuum cleaner with extra bags
Broom and dustpan
Mop and bucket
Sponges, rags, and paper towels
Trash bags
Step 3: Spring Cleaning Plan
- Most people will be unable to do a thorough spring cleaning of their entire house in a day. Break up the work into available chunks, and plan on doing a room each day. Thoroughly moving all furniture, vacuuming furniture and washing walls, and removing everything from shelves and cabinets can take several hours per room.
Step 4: Spring Cleaning Tips
Team up with a friend. Have them help you clean your house, then go to theirs and return the favor. You'll enjoy it more, and do a more thorough job.
Dust from top down, to avoid dirtying areas you've already cleaned.
Allow all purpose cleaner to sit for a few minutes before wiping it up.
Don't mix cleaning products. If you accidentally combine a product containing chlorine with one containing ammonia, a dangerous gas can be produced.
Run the shower on hot for five minutes before cleaning it.
Rubbing alcohol removes spots from stainless steel fixtures and sinks, as well as haze from bathroom mirrors.
