Thursday Mar 21st, 2024
Spring is here, and it’s time to get started on that scrolling to-do list you’ve been composing all winter. From finally giving away that donation box in the basement to wiping out the crumbs and dust that have found their way into your cabinet drawers, there are many small tasks to tackle. But cumulatively, these tasks make a big difference. To help you prioritize your to-do list, Gem City Cleaning Solutions made a list of six spring cleaning tasks that are worth the time.
1. Dust What’s Up Above
Start high. End low. Vacuum or dust mop your ceiling to catch any cobwebs. Then use a fan duster of micro-fiber cloth to clean off your ceiling fans.
If you have light globes, take them off and carefully rinse them. Make sure you also dust off any track lights or recessed lighting.
Your bathroom exhaust fans may also need some attention. However, cleaning these can be more difficult. First, you’ll want to be sure the fan's power is shut off. Then, remove the vent cover. Typically, you can gently pull it down and squeeze the metal mounting wires together to release the cover from the mount. If your vent has a light, be sure to disconnect the wire first. Then, simply dust it off and wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
If there isn’t a light on the vent, you can clean it with soap and water. Make sure the vent cover is completely dry before reinstalling it.
2. Dust Your Blinds
Window blinds are dust magnets. And, there’s no getting around it; they’re a huge pain to clean. But, aesthetically and health-wise, the task is worth the time. To speed up the process, carefully use a vacuum brush attachment to get rid of the heavy dust. From here, proceed from top to bottom, left to right, with a microfiber cloth or duster.
3. Replace and/or Clean Filters
More appliances have filters than you might expect. Start by replacing your furnace/air conditioner filter. If you have dehumidifiers or air purifiers, then you’ll also want to check those filters. Often these appliances have reusable filters that can be cleaned with a vacuum or soap and water.
With your air quality on lock, let’s think about your drinking water. Whether you have a refrigerator that dispenses water, a reverse osmosis system, or a Brita, it may be time to change the filter.
4. Make Donation Boxes
Many of us have too much stuff. Clothes, trinkets, and other random kitchen utensils can start to accumulate into a mountain of clutter. To give you a better sense of your spring cleaning priorities, start by decluttering your home by making a donation box.
We recommend going room by room. Start with closets. A new study found that many people wear less than 50 percent of the clothing they own. Next, head into your kitchen. It’s more than likely that you’ll have random gadgets and small appliances you never use that’ll free up valuable space if you can part with them. Are you still using that George Forman Grill? How about the breadmaker? Quesadilla maker?
Finally, head into the basement. Sort through your storage shelves, old totes, and closets. Our basements often get filled with stuff we don’t want but haven’t found the time to get rid of.
Once you have your donation boxes ready to go, find your local Salvation Army or City Mission. Not only will you be clearing out clutter, but you’ll be helping someone else in need.
5. Give Your Cabinets Some TLC
With the doors and drawers closed all the time, it’s easy to forget about your cabinets. Start by taking everything out of your cabinets and purge yourself of what you don’t want or need. Then, take a close look at your shelf liners. If they’ve seen better days, toss them and get something fresh.
While the liners are out, wipe out crumbs and dust them with a microfiber cloth. Next, wipe down the face of your drawers, doors, and hardware. We recommend using a 1:1 vinegar-water mixture. Important Note: Do not let water pool around the hinges or in crevasses.
If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, complete the kitchen, then move into your bathrooms. Work through the same process.
Bonus points: Get yourself some drawer organizers.
6. Wash Your Bulky Bedding
Many people don’t have a washer that can handle comforters and pillows. If you don’t have a large-capacity washing machine, pick a day to go to the laundromat or drop your bedding off at the dry cleaners. Otherwise, you risk doing damage to your machine and potentially your comforters and pillows.
No Time? No Problem.
With warm weather often comes a lot more to do. If a thorough cleaning simply isn’t in the cards, reach out for some help. Gem City Cleaning Solutions offers flexible cleaning packages that can be tailored to your specific needs. Visit our contact page to book an appointment online to get started.