5 Spring Cleaning Projects You Can Complete This Weekend

With warm, sunny days finally starting to become the norm as we move closer to the summer months, some of us may have caught the spring cleaning fever. An annual deep cleaning once winter’s chill has thawed will allow your home to “air out”, while the warm weather may help you find the motivation you need to get started.

There are a wide variety of spring cleaning projects you could tackle this year— here are a few of the biggest:

1. The Windows (including any screens)

• For clean windows that are streak-free, mix one part hot water with one part distilled vinegar. Moisten a sponge with the solution, then wipe down windows. Dampen a squeegee and clean from the top down, wiping off the squeegee after each stroke. Be sure to clean windows when there is no direct sunlight hitting them— the heat can cause the glass to dry too quickly, leaving you with streaks.
• To clean the screens, give them a good rinse with the garden hose. Three parts warm water and one part household ammonia makes an effective cleaning solution. Scrub in small circles from top to bottom, and rinse with the hose again when finished.

2. The Ceiling Fans

• Dust and grime can easily build up on those hard-to-reach places in your home, and the ceiling fans are no exception. An easy way to clean the blades without letting the dust fall on the floor is to wrap a pillowcase around the blade and “pull” the dust off. You can then give each blade a more thorough wipe down once the initial layer of dust is gone.

3. The Carpets

• Even if you vacuum on a regular basis year-round, a deep clean will reach into the carpet fibers to clean out any food particles or debris that your vacuum alone cannot reach. If you don’t want to hire a professional carpet cleaner, renting a professional-grade cleaner from a home improvement store will also get the job done effectively.

4. The Refrigerator and Freezer

• This one’s a no brainer. Throw out anything that’s past its expiration date or that you know you’ll never touch again and consolidate sauces when possible. Take the shelves and ice-maker out and give them all a good wipe down. Be sure you wipe any drawers and shelves too. 

5. The Trashcan

• That’s right— the trashcan. Any lingering garbage smells you’ve noticed over the winter were likely coming from your trashcan, even after you had already taken out the garbage. Give it a good scrub with hot soapy water in the backyard. This may be the dirtiest job on our list, but it’s an important one that many don’t think of.

While spring cleaning projects aren’t enjoyable for everyone, most will agree that once the hard work is finished and you sit back to admire your clean, sparkling house, the hassle of cleaning is well worth the time and effort.

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