The breezes are becoming mild and with the sun shining outside its hard to focus on work indoors. But it’s a traditional ushering in of Spring to give your home a thorough freshening and cleaning. There are plenty of areas that need to be deep cleaned and I know I for one am never at a loss for things to clean but sometimes an area gets neglected. Here are 10 common areas that can be glossed over during your spring clean.
Spring Cleaning List – The 10 Neglected Areas
1. Trash Cans– Even when they always have a bag in them trash cans get get messy from overflow and odors. Take all your cans-kitchen and bathroom outside, spray them thoroughly inside and out with your favorite antibacterial cleaner, allow it to sit for 10 minutes, rinse well, and dry.
2. Medicine Cabinets- When you do your spring cleaning its also a great time to go through your medicine cabinets and clean out expired medicines. There are a couple ways you can safely dispose of them. Do not flush them down the toilet as they can contaminate ground water. If they are prescription medications remove the label and destroy it, then you can either crush the pills and place in a bag with soil, cat litter, coffee grounds, or wet newspaper and tie it up or find a pharmacy that accepts medicines and will properly dispose of them for you. Here are more tips for organizing your medicine cabinet.
3. Blinds-I don’t know about you but blinds in my house are frequently neglected. Dust builds up and they begin to look shabby. I try to hit them every 6 months or so but it doesn’t usually happen. I make it a point to give them a thorough dusting during my spring cleaning. Knock down cobwebs in the corner, and run a duster between each slat, rotate blinds and dust the other side.
4. Behind Appliances- Pull out your refrigerator, stove, washer, and dryer. Sweep and mop well to remove dust, and dirt that has built up.
5. Under the Sink- Combine duplicates or throw out empty bottles of cleaner, wash used dust rags and replenish if needed ( old t-shirts cut up make great dust cloths). If you have collected multiple glass flower vases throughout the year now is the time to repurpose or donate the extra’s. Wipe off the shelf and replace items. Here are more tips for 0rganizing under your kitchen sink.
6. Oven- Coat interior with oven cleaner. While it is soaking, remove knobs and soak them in a bowl of half water and half vinegar to remove grease and grime build up. Scrub the top of your stove and around where the knobs were. If your oven has a bottom drawer pull it out, take it outside and scrub thoroughly. Pull oven away from wall and wipe down sides where food often spills and drips.
7.Mattress- Strip sheets off mattress, sprinkle a box of baking soda all over to cover completely. Allow it to sit for an hour or more. Vacuum off completely. Spray the mattress with Febreeze or spray with straight rubbing alcohol ( it will smell strong but when it dries the smell evaporates). Allow to dry and make up the bed. How to make homemade Febreeze.
8. Dishwasher- Empty dishwasher, take apart bottom components-sprayer, grate and filter. Remove any food particles from holes in the sprayer, wipe food from bottom of dishwasher. Soak items in a sink of hot water with 2 cups of vinegar for 30 minutes, Replace parts. Place a shallow bowl with 2 cups vinegar onto the top rack and run an empty cycle. This will freshen and sanitize as well as cut grease in your dishwasher.
9. Door Jambs and Trim- Use a duster with a telescoping handle or stand on a sturdy stool. Dust across the top and then down on door frames. If they are really dirty, wipe them down with hot soapy water.
10. AC Vents- Dust and allergens cling to the vents and every so often need to be cleaned more thoroughly than a quick feather dust. Remove vents and soak in a sink of hot soapy water, use a toothbrush if needed.
More Spring Cleaning Checklists
Spring Cleaning Checklist – A Room by Room Guide
J Blankenship says
So, IN ENGLISH, what is that home made febreze recipe?
Alea Milham says
It appears that link was hijacked. Here are directions for homemade Febreeze here: http://premeditatedleftovers.com/naturally-frugal-living/how-to-make-homemade-air-freshener-spray/
Verena says
I’d probably use vinegar instead of Febreeze on mattresses- no toxic or allergenic fragrances, and as with alcohol the odor disappears. Otherwise great tips!