MARCH Cleaning Tips

It's spring, well almost! The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, everything's fresh and new, and you can't wait to get started with your spring-cleaning. Yikes! Did I say spring cleaning? That has no part in my spring fantasy. How about yours? Spring-cleaning was a necessity a long time ago when log cabins were boarded up to keep out the winter cold. The arrival of spring presented the first opportunity to clean out all the soot and grime that had accumulated during the long winter months-hence the term spring -- cleaning. Those of you living in log cabins may want to continue this practice, but for the rest of us, well, there are better things to do.

That's not to say that there aren't certain times of the year when you'll want to clean a little more thoroughly. It may be just after Christmas, it may be right before Aunt Martha's next visit . . . it might even be spring. When you do it is entirely up to you. As for what to do, read on.

> Need Microfiber cloths, dusters, mops, etc.? I found the BEST products: HERE

Spring Forward

DON'T CLEAN YOUR CLUTTER

The hardest part of cleaning is working around the accumulation of all those things you've somehow acquired. If you really want to streamline your cleaning process, take a few minutes, go room to room and take stock of what's in sight as well as what's hiding in your cupboards. I'll bet my crown (the cheap cardboard one . . .) that you have things that haven't been used in three, five, ten years or more. Think carefully. Do you really want to keep that purple giraffe? Do you really want to clean it?

If you can't bear to part with your collectibles (I love cats and pigs-don't ask), consider storing some and displaying others, rotating your selection from time to time. You'll have less to clean.

If you have a lot of treasures, think about investing in a glass-fronted display cabinet. The glass will protect your ornaments from dust, and you shouldn't have to clean them more than once a year.

Are you really going to read all those back issues of National Geographic? Don't be timid. Throw them out.

If that cat figurine that Aunt Lucille gave you 10 years ago is missing a paw and part of its tail, look at it, smile at the memories and then say good-bye. Don't keep things that are broken and can't be repaired.

Think before you purchase the latest gadget. If you don't buy it, you won't have to clean it.

A WORD ABOUT CLEANING PRODUCTS

Gather all your cleaning products together in one container before you start your rounds-something with a handle is ideal. If you have more than one bathroom, think about purchasing a set of cleaning products for each. It may cost more at the time, but you'll save yourself the aggravation of toting products from one floor to the next.

Can't find any twist ties and the trash bag is full? Just use dental floss or a rubber band. Both are tough and water resistant, so you don't have to worry about the rain. 

Make sure you have plenty of clean cloths and vacuum bags. If you anticipate throwing out a lot of garbage, make sure you have lots of good, strong bags. Check supplies of soaps and any all-purpose cleaners that you may use. There's nothing worse than starting a task only to have to stop halfway because you don't have what you need at hand.

The most expensive products are not always the best. Try store brands and homemade solutions-they can work just as well as their more expensive counterparts.

Try not to depend on harsh chemicals. Things like baking soda, white vinegar, 20 Mule Team® Borax, Fels-Naptha® Soap, lemon juice, salt and club soda work just as well and aren't harmful to your family or the environment. Baking soda is a great deodorizer and a wonderfully mild abrasive. White vinegar is a terrific cleaner, especially for soap scum and mildew. Borax is a never-be-without laundry additive, and Fels-Naptha® Soap is great for stubborn stains. And let’s not forget the club soda, lemon juice and salt. Club soda works on all sorts of spills; lemon juice is a great natural bleach; and salt can be used on just about everything, from artificial flowers to clogged drains.

Be wary of using too many antibacterial products. Unless you’re prepping for surgery, good old soap and water work just fine. 

Look for odor eliminators instead of cover-ups. Make sure to purchase products without scent. Try using baking soda in your fridge. Pour the old box down the drain, and chase it with a ½ cup of white vinegar, and you’ll create a little volcano to naturally clean and freshen drains.

Smells in old trunks and drawers can be eliminated with a slice of white bread placed in a bowl and covered with white vinegar. Close the drunk or drawer for 24 hours, and when you remove the bread and vinegar the odor will be gone!

Fresh, dry coffee grounds will remove smells from refrigerators.

A pan of cat litter will remove musty smells in closets and basements.

Place crumpled newspaper in drawers to remove musty odors.

Put dryer fabric softener sheets in luggage, storage containers, closets and drawers to leave a clean, fresh scent.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Decide on your approach and be consistent. If you decide to clean for an hour, stick to it. If you decided to clean one room now and another tomorrow, stick to that. Indecision and distraction can really affect how well you clean. If you start out doing one thing and end up doing another, you’ll have a houseful of half-finished projects, and you won’t feel as if you’ve accomplished anything. This can be very frustrating, to say the least.

I like to start with the room that requires the least amount of effort, and that’s generally the one that’s used the least. It may be the guest room, the living room . . it may even be the kitchen. Hey -- no judgements. Think of it as a sort of warm-up. Start with the lightest task and you’ll see results fast. That will motivate you to keep going!

Generally speaking, work from top to bottom. Dust from the light fixtures, tops of furniture, etc., will fall onto the carpet and floors. So do floors last and you’ll know your house really is clean.

Remember: If this isn’t dirty, don’t clean it. 

Don’t backtrack. Finish one task before moving to another. Put on some high-spirited music to set the pact and keep you going.

LET’S GET STARTED

Dusting comes first. But don’t just pick up any old cloth, and don’t, for heavens sake, use a feather duster. They may be some man’s fantasy, but they just scatter the dust all around. Really, they’re worse than useless. I strongly recommend washable lambs wool dusters or Microfiber product. Lambs wool both attracts and contains dust, so it won’t whisk the dust around from one surface to the other. Lambs wool is also washable, so it lasts for years. (You can buy lambs wool dusters in many varieties, including dust mitts and telescoping dusters, which are great for the hard-to-reach corners.)

> Get the BEST Microfiber cloths, dusters, mops, and more: HERE

Use a telescoping lambs wool duster to clean ceiling fans.

Don’t just move ornaments while you’re dusting. Make sure to dust them too!

After you’ve dusted your electronic equipment, it’s a good idea to give it a wipe with some rubbing alcohol. Apply with a clean, soft cloth, then buff dry. Make sure to turn the power off first, though.

Once you’ve dusted, give the upholstery a good going-over. Use the appropriate attachment on your vacuum cleaner -- the small brush for cushions and arms, the long nozzle for crevices and hard-to-reach areas. If you own a sofa bed, make sure to open it up and vacuum the mattress. (Most sofa bed mattresses are one-side only, so don’t try to flip it.) Don’t forget to vacuum scatter cushions.

Climbs the walls, I mean clean the walls, by tying a towel over the head of a broom and pulling it down the wall. Shake out the towel as necessary, and change it when it becomes soiled. Work up and down the wall -- not side to side -- and use strokes that are comfortable for you. Complete one room at a time.

Walls don’t need to be washed every year unless you’re a smoker. So don’t wash walls that don’t need it. If, however, a room looks grimy, a good wall wash could save you the effort of painting.

FLOORS

Grit can scratch wood floors, so they should be swept before washing. Use long, directed strokes, moving from the corner to the center of the room. Sweep all the grit -- stuff-- into a dustpan.

Now you’re ready to wash with your favorite, gentle floor cleaner. Don’t have a favorite wood cleaner? Try tea! The tannic acid gives the floor a wonderful shine. Use several tea bags to brew a quart or two. You can have a cup if you like, but let the rest cool to room temperature before using. Wring a soft cloth out in the tea. Make sure the cloth is damp, not wet. Overwetting the floor could warp it or damage the finish. Just in case I haven’t been clear on this: Yes, I am suggesting that you get down on your hands and knees. Avoid hands & knee cleaning and use a microfiber mop.

• Start at the edges and move your hand across the floor, using a small circular motion.
• Keep the cloth well rinsed and continue until the entire floor is done.
• For vinyl or tile floors use the same cleaning method, substituting 1 gallon of warm water combing with 2 table-spoons of 20 Mule Team® Borax for the tea.
• For marble floors, use a microfiber mop. It uses nothing but water and thousands of little scrubbing fingers that pick up the dirt without scratching. It won’t leave a film, either.

AND DON’T FORGET . . .

• Give the inside of kitchen cupboards a wash with a simple solution of warm, soapy water. Anything sticky can be removed with a little baking soda.
• Grind some lemon rinds and ice cubes in the disposal to keep it clean and sharpen the blades too.
• Vacuum your mattress with the upholstery attachment, then flip it for even wear. A plastic bag, such as a dry cleaner’s bag. Placed between the box spring and mattress will help ease the stain of this task. (Best not to take any chances, so if you have young children leave out the bag and let your muscles do the work.)
• Since you’re flipping your mattress, don’t forget to wash your mattress pad, blankets, and pillows before putting the bed back together.
• Yes, even that self-cleaning oven needs to be cleaned.
• Draperies should be cleaned once a year. Please read the care label carefully and don’t try to wash curtains that should be dry-cleaned.

You can extend the life of your window coverings by vacuuming them frequently. 

• Not every room requires the same effort or attentions, so decide before you begin what clean means to you.
• If you use the space under your bed for storage, remove the storage containers, vacuum the carpet and clean the containers before you put them back.
• If the woodwork on your walls is dirty, you should carefully wash it even though you do not wash the walls.
• Take down the globes from the overhead light fixtures, wash them and put them back up. While you’re at it, when the lightbulbs are cool, dust them, too.
• If hinges are squeaking every time you open a door, lubricate them with a quick spray of silicone.
• Don’t overlook door handles -- wash and polish them. They get used constantly and seldom get washed.

Wearing of the Green Doesn’t Have to Mean Grass Stains

Now that winter white is starting to disappear, just make sure that the greens of spring don’t appear on your clothes!

Grass stains can be removed from clothing with the help of a little white, nongel toothpaste. Brush the toothpaste into the stain using an old, soft toothbrush -- rinse and the launder. Laundry stain remover will also do the trick. Work a liberal amount into the fabric with your thumb and forefinger, then wash as usual.

Grass stains on jeans should be treated with rubbing alcohol. Saturate the stain, let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then prop the jeans into the wash. Check to see that the stain has come out before you put the jeans into the dryer. Heat will set the stain and make it impossible to remove, so if you need to repeat the procedure, it’s best to find out before you use the dryer.

For grass on white leather athletic shoes, try molasses. You heard me -- molasses! Massage the stain with a dollop of molasses and let it sit overnight. Wash the shoes with soap and water the next morning, and the grass stains should come off along with the molasses.

Fabric shoes such as Sketchers can be cleaned with baking soda. Dip a we toothbrush into some baking soda and brush vigorously. Rinse well and dry out of the sun. No baking soda? Use white, nongel toothpaste instead.

If those blue suede shoes have had a meeting with the green, rub the stain with a nylon sponge that has been dipped in glycerin. Rub until the stain has been removed, then blot with a cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Brush the nap to reset in the right direction, and allow the shoes to dry out of the sun.

Grass stains on carpets should be removed with a good quality carpet cleaner such as Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover®. Just follow the directions on the can. For stubborn stains, apply rubbing alcohol; wait 10 minutes, blot, then treat with your favorite carpet cleaner.