Spring Cleaning You Forgot

4/18/2016 (Permalink)

Cleaning supplies.

It’s easy to remember to go through the house and vacuum, dust and polish but what about the deep dark corners of our lives that always seem to be forgotten? No excuses this year! Here is a list of the most forgotten places we all need to go through, organize and clean out.

1)      Wallet and Purse. Go through and make sure there are no expired coupons you no longer need or that library card you never use and throw them out. Ladies, do you have a bunch of stuff in the bottom of your purse that isn’t necessary? Ease that weight on your shoulder and clean it out! If it’s not something you use every day or every week, chances are, you don’t need that item to be in there.

2)      Car. Cleaning the inside of your car can be tedious but you’ll feel much better driving around in a clean car afterwards. Throw out any broken sunglasses, trash or things that just don’t belong in the car and put them in their proper place in the house. This means going through your console, glove compartment and the trunk. If you are going to keep spare change in the car, get a plastic bag to put it in and place it in an easy to reach place for tolls. Go through your trunk, retire your winter gear and prepare an emergency bag to keep in your trunk full of things like warm socks, water, granola bars, a blanket and a lighter just to be safe. Don’t forget the side pockets! After all this is done, go over the upholstery with a vacuum, armor all the dash and clean the windows. This is also a good time to schedule a day when you can switch your winter tires to summer.

3)      Junk Drawer. We all have at least one junk drawer in the house. Clean it out and get rid of those odds and ends you always said you would fix but never do and things you just don’t need anymore. Use plastic trays and small bins to organize what’s left. It’s probably still a junk drawer but at least it’s an organized one now.

4)      Medicine Cabinet. Go through and check the expiration dates. Throw anything out that can’t be used and write a list of things you need to replace to get at the store. Organize by bottle size or by use.

5)      File cabinet. Shred anything that’s more than 6 years old and you don’t really need. Pay stubs, electric bills etc. Take this time to make sure everything is properly labeled and put it in its rightful place. This will make it easier to file things away right after you open them rather than stack a big pile somewhere to “someday” take care of.

6)      Last but not least, the garage and the shed. Throw out any broken tools, duplicates and rusty equipment. Test the lawn mower out, gas and oil it up. Get rid of any pool toys with holes in them. Get a fresh propane tank for the grill and clean the inside of it out. Summer will be here before you know it and the more you prepare now, the more you can enjoy it when it gets here!

Happy cleaning! 

Spring Cleaning List

3/22/2016 (Permalink)

Cleaning supplies.

Spring Cleaning List

It’s that time of the year again when we all decide to go crazy and deep clean our homes like our moms taught us to! Here is a list of things to clean so you don’t forget any nook or cranny in your spring cleaning adventure. Here’s to a happy, clean home!

General Cleaning for all rooms:

-Dust your light fixtures

-Blinds

-Baseboards

-Trim around doors and windows

-Wash the curtains

-Wash blankets and pillow covers

-Dust knick knacks

-Clean light switches and cover plates

-Clean doorknobs and cupboard handles

-Move things and dust/sweep/vacuum behind them

-Dust vents

-Dust banisters and wipe with damp cloth

-Dust picture frames and wall hangings

-Window sills

-Mirrors

-Wash/beat out rugs

-Wash the walls

-Clean and wash pet beds and toys

-Clean kids toys

Bathroom:

-Clean around and behind toilet

-Clean inside of toilet bowl

-Mirrors

-Around the sink

-Clean bathtub and shower walls

-Throw out anything that hasn’t been used in a year

-Replace shower liner

-Clean showerhead and fixtures

-Wash bathmats

-Wash brushes and makeup brushes

-Replace toothbrushes

-Go through first aid supplies; throw out expired prescriptions and medicine and make an inventory of items you need to restock up on

Kitchen:

-Clean inside and outside of all appliances such as microwave, toaster, coffee pot, Keurig, etc

-Clean stove, dishwasher and oven

-Wipe down walls

-Throw out expired food

-Wipe down all surfaces in refrigerator and freezer

-Wipe down outside of fridge and vacuum coils

-Clean grease from stove hood

-Wash cabinets inside and out, wipe down backsplash and walls

-Clean out and organize plastic wear and make sure there are lids to match appropriate containers

-Get rid of old, rusty pans you don’t use and any appliances you haven’t used in over a year

-Dust any décor on counters, window sills and walls

-Wipe down counters and in and around the sink

-Wash or vacuum floor depending on type of surface

Bedrooms:

-Wash all sheets, comforters, duvet covers, pillowcases, pillows and curtains

-Throw out any clothing that has a stain, a hole or that you haven’t worn in a year

-Dust ceiling fan and light fixtures

-Clean under and behind beds, dressers and furniture

-Clean winter wear and pack for storage

-Bring out summer clothes, wash if necessary and throw out or donate anything that you won’t wear

-Go through jewelry box and donate or throw out anything that is broken, mismatched and you don’t wear anymore

-Go through bedside table throwing out items you don’t need and reorganizing

Living Room:

-Vacuum in between couch and chair cushions, behind and underneath couch and chairs

-Wax, dust and polish all furniture and fixtures

-Clean out fireplace

-Dust electronics

Office:

-Dust all electronics and blow out the dust

-Reorganize drawers and throw out/donate anything you don’t need or use anymore

-Go through computer, ipods, etc and organize folders, documents and pictures. At the end of this, back everything up on an external hard drive

-Perform computer maintenance

-Shred old/unnecessary documents

Garage:

-Clean out all tools and donate/throw away anything that is broken or that you have a duplicate of

-Organize tools and outdoor equipment

-Bring out summer sport equipment and store winter equipment

-Wash bikes off, fill up tires and oil gears

-Wash cars and clean out interiors

-Sweep out floor and power wash

House Exterior:

-Power wash siding and decking

-Empty out gutters

-Dust light fixtures for cobwebs

-Sweep leaves off deck and porch areas, sidewalks and driveways

-Stain and seal deck/porch if necessary

-Re mulch garden and plant new flowers and plants if desired

-Inspect exterior for damage and cracks

-Spray pest control around house

-Have pool serviced

-Clean out and organize shed

-Inspect all pool toys. Throw out ones with holes and clean those you plan to keep

Outdoor Equipment:

-“Summerize” and put away all snowblowers, shovels, plows, snowmobiles, etc.

-Prep lawn mower for use

-Test hoses for leaks

-Inspect grill, clean out and check propane tank

-Wash, clean and wipe down outdoor furniture

-clean AC unit of leaves and debris

Utilities:

-Replace A/C filter

-Clean ducts

-Start dehumidifier

-Check basement and damp areas for mold and mildew

-Check and replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

-Check fire extinguisher

-Inspect water heater

-Clean out dryer exhaust vent

-Clean all vents and fans

Happy cleaning!

Ways to Keep Dust Down in Your Home

2/29/2016 (Permalink)

Dust.

Dust is made up of a lot of unsavory characters; dead skin cells, fabric fibers, dust mites, animal dander, dirt, hair, pollen, mold spores and a bunch of other unknown components depending on where you live, work and play. Dust is not only a visible nuisance but can also cause health problems such as allergies. Below are some of the top ways to keep dust down in your home and increase your quality of living.

Vacuum. The more you stay on top of vacuuming, the less dust you will have in your home! Vacuum at least once a week, if not more to cut down on the amount of dust floating around. Remember to vacuum upholstery such as couches and curtains that hold onto dust particles as well. Be sure to empty the canister, replace the bag or better yet, get a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to trap tiny particles.

Dusting. A simple dusting can go a long way. Microfiber cloths work best but if you don’t have one handy, run any cloth under a bit of water to use. Microfiber and damp cloths capture and collect dust instead of just spreading it around your house like a dry cloth would.

Declutter. The more things you have to collect dust, the more dust you will have! We all have knick- knacks of some sort but try to minimize them or keep them covered in a glass case if possible. Books can be pushed to the front of the bookshelf to minimize dust collection there as well.

Air filters. Change your air filters in your heating and air-conditioning system once a month to cut down and catch dust particles before they spread throughout the home. Try a pleated or paper filter that carries an electrostatic charge which attracts dust.

Closets. One of the biggest components of dust is fabric fiber shed by your clothing. Keep your closets clean and organized by using clear plastic bins. This way, you can easily see what is in them and you’ll be able to move them around to dust. Store seasonal clothes in plastic bins and garbage bags to prevent their fibers from shedding when they aren’t in use. Another good rule to follow is keeping your closet floor clean. Too often we have items on the closet floor that never get moved and therefore, never get cleaned and hold dust. Would you vacuum the floor more if there was nothing in your way? Probably.

Bedding is another big culprit of dust and dust mites. Change and wash your bedding once a week and don’t forget about those pillows either! Pillows can be taken to the dry cleaners, hand washed or, if you have a new dryer, check for a setting meant for pillows and bedding specifically.

Cut back on carpeting. Hardwoods and tiles don’t collect dust like carpets do. Even if you vacuum regularly, dust can get deep down in the carpet fibers and stay suck there irritating you and your family. If you have rugs, make sure you take them outside and beat them. Beating rugs often loosens up trapped particles that a vacuum can’t get to.

Doormats help trap dirt before it gets throughout the house. Invest in a bristle top mat outside the door and another mat right inside the door as well. Don’t forget to vacuum and beat the dirt out of the mats once a week for best results.

Pet care. Grooming and washing pets regularly can cut back on dead skin cells, hair and dander throughout the house. Using a cover for your cat’s litter box can also help significantly.

Filter the air in the house while you clean by turning your thermostat to “fan on.” This filters the air even when the heating and air conditioning system aren’t on. Just make sure you turn the fan off after about 15 minutes as they are not meant to run all the time.

Using all of these tips combined or even a few at a time, the amount of dust in your house should decrease and provide you with cleaner, fresher air quality. Keep the dust down and breathe deeply!

Tips to Keep Your Carpet Looking Brand New

2/22/2016 (Permalink)

Carpet.

Carpets can be one of the most difficult things to preserve and keep that clean, brand spanking new look because we walk and put weight on them every day. Regardless of how much we abuse them, there are some precautions you can take to keep your carpets in top shape.

Regular vacuuming is key to preserving your carpets. When dirt and dust get pushed into carpets, they bend, twist and sometimes break the fibers if they aren’t removed. This is what results in that dull dirty look you may see in some spots if you don’t regularly vacuum you carpets. Try to vacuum twice a week in heavy traffic areas and hit the baseboards and any crevices with a brush once a week.

Area rugs and runners can also help keep your carpets clean, especially in high traffic areas. This will minimize soiling and crushing plus cut down on the amount of time you spend vacuuming.

Professional carpet cleaning can breathe new life into old carpets. Routine maintenance is key. Carpets should be professionally steamed cleaned about every 6-12 months to up their life expectancy.  

Cut snags. Snags should be cut immediately with scissors to prevent further damage. Do not vacuum over snags as they may get stuck in the clean and unravel more of the carpet.

Rake dents. Those dents under your couch or other furniture can easily be taken care of. Use a wet rag to saturate the spot where the dent it and gently rake your fingers back and forth. Make sure to do this gently to prevent breakage in the fibers.

Removing stains when they first happen can prevent a lot of frustration later on. Common liquid stains can generally be removed by blotting and dabbing the stain with water at first and then applying a type of carpet stain remover solution. You can always try white apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, shaving cream and grease cutting dish soap lying around the house if you don’t have any chemicals handy.

Last but not least, be more attentive to the types of carpets you are purchasing in the first place! They make carpets with stain repellant which make it had for dirt and stains to stick to the fibers. You can also buy darker carpets with patterns so when stains do show up, it’s much harder to pick them out.

Follow these tips and your carpets should remain brighter and cleaner for longer.