Spring Cleaning

Tuesday's Tips

 by Barbara Latta

Spring is in the air and so is pollen and dust. Despite spring fever and the urge to lie under a tree and soak up the warm air, this is also a good time to clean and refresh the house. Here are a few ideas to help wash away winter.

• Clean windows with dish detergent mixed with water. Wash the windows with a micro fiber towel full of the solution and squeegee off the excess. For the outside of windows hard to reach, use  purchased cleaners  in a bottle that attaches to a garden hose.

• Use a clean broom to go around corners and ceilings to wipe away any accumulated cobwebs that may have wintered in hideaway places.

Time for spring cleaning

• Change air conditioner filters, vacuum air ducts. If needed, hire a professional duct cleaning service.

• Disinfect sponges by placing on the top rack of dishwasher.

• Run an empty dishwasher on a cycle with a small amount of bleach to kill bacteria.

• Get rid of clutter by cleaning out closets and drawers. Throw out or give away anything not used in the last year.

• Go around each room and pick up anything that doesn’t belong there and place in a designated box. Later take the items from the box and deliver to the proper place.

• Shake out rugs that cannot be washed. Leave outside to air out.

Starting now on spring cleaning can prevent the to-do list from getting too long.

What tips do you use for freshening up living space after winter?