Spring Cleaning?
I’ve already started with our La Costa home–in serious fashion.
Our weather in generally balmy and “spring cleaning” could happen almost any month of the year. But this year I am truly ready for the new and out with the old!
Refrigerator? Ours is GONE!
All refrigerator drawers and shelves seem to collect gunk and goo unless one keeps it clean on a near daily basis. We can swipe them with a wet cloth on the fly, but at least a couple times a year we need to remove all the contents and give those shelves and drawers a really good scrub. These bulky pieces are too large to fit in most sinks, so consider taking them outside. Use a biodegradable cleaner and wash them out over your lawn so that the water does double duty–especially in our drought-stricken state.
Our old double door stainless refrigerator is being replaced by a BLACK 3-door Samsung (counter depth) model that will allow no foods to hide in deep recesses–resulting in fewer rotting groceries. That is taking spring cleaning to the ultimate!
Rugs
Have area rugs covering tile, stone or hardwood flooring? Smaller ones may be due for a good beating. Of course, you can vacuum them as well, but sometimes a good shaking or whacking with a broom or rug beater can really knock the dirt loose. Make sure you have a sturdy clothesline or balcony rail to hang them over. Letting them air out in the fresh outdoors can help get rid of that musty winter odor too.
Blinds and Shutters
Though wonderful for controlling sunlight, blinds and shutters can be a housekeeper’s nightmare. Dusting each of those slats, or even using specialty tools doesn’t always work. If you have removable bllinds you can, at least once a year, lay them out on the lawn and give those blinds a good spray with an eco-friendly degreaser. Then, use the hose and a spray nozzle to wash off all the grime. Dry them in the warm sun before hanging them back up. Shutters are another story–and should be dusted at least once every couple of months,
Comforters and Duvets
Take your large blankets, comforters, duvets and quilts and wash them in your own large capacity washer or take them to a nearby laundromat. But, rather than pay for all that drying time, bring them home and hang them out on a sturdy clothesline or railing to dry outdoors. Giving them a good airing out can give them a lovely freshness that dryers and dry cleaners can’t offer.
Trash cans
Even when you use bags, your trashcans are subject to grime and gunk. Line them all up on the edge of the patio, fill them with organic dish soap and perhaps put the kids to scrubbing with big sponges. If a water-fight ensues, all the better! Once the cans are clean, let them dry and deodorize outdoors.
If you manage to get all your carpets, trashcans, quilts and blinds drying in the sun, it might be a good time to mop those floors, dust the overhead fans and tackle the windows. Of course, spring-cleaning all goes more quickly if you are able to round up the whole family to help for just one day a year. I’ve not always been so successful with that venture.
If, however, you’re getting ready to sell your Carlsbad or Encinitas home, there are some other items you should consider tackling too. Give us a call and we can tell you just where you need to invest the most time and effort. We might even offer a few Feng Shui pointers!