Top-to-tail spring cleaning makes summer living even sweeter.
Begin your annual seasonal cleaning by setting a realistic timeline. It may be possible to get a small condo ship-shape in a day but in a large house, chores may better spread over a week. Whatever the size of the home, these tips should help:
DO AWAY WITH DUST
- Vacuum rooms from the top down—starting with the ceilings. Dust light fixtures and bulbs.
- Empty and vacuum closets. If something has not been worn in the last 12 months—and it’s not a tuxedo or a wedding gown—throw it out or donate it to a thrift shop.
- Vacuum mattresses, and wash mattress and pillow protectors on a sanitary wash setting.
- Dust bookshelves.
ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
- Keep in mind that effective cleaners don’t need to contain harsh chemicals. Consider green cleaning solutions, such as vinegar and water, or eco-friendly commercial products, such as Mrs. Meyer’s, a sustainable, plantbased cleaning line with pleasant scents that launched in Canada earlier this year.
- Steam is another eco-friendly choice. It works well on floors of all types and is terrific for freshening soft furnishings and cleaning draperies. (Drapes can also be placed in the dryer on a no-heat setting to dislodge dust.) If you launder slipcovers, put them back on while very slightly damp to avoid shrinkage.
- Vacuum window screens and wipe around sills and frames. Wash glass the old-fashioned way with a mild detergent solution rinsed with vinegar and water. Or try Hoover’s new SteamScrub 2-in-1, (hoover.ca) which comes with a squeegee made for the purpose.
- Wash greasy kitchen walls and cabinets, or consider repainting. While you’re at it, toss all your reusable shopping bags in the wash.
- Clean and wax wood furniture.