Spring is here?! While there is still snow on the ground here in Salt Lake City, Utah where we are headquartered, it IS technically spring. Though there is blizzard like snow blowing sideways as we write this post, there are some little signs of spring, like crocuses pushing through the soil and robin’s singing in the trees again.
There’s a chance you might be making your spring to-do list and while we think that window cleaning should be a top priority on your spring cleaning list, here are a few other ideas we scrounged up on the internet. These first two are interesting…. and the last two we are definitely going to try out.
Truly: this one we would never think of ourselves…
Keep crumbs out of hard-to-reach places
If there's a gap between your stove and your kitchen counters, there's a good chance food bits have made their way into this tight, dark space. Use the crevice tool on your vacuum to reach into this space, then place a stove gap cover between the counter and stove to cut down on the debris that falls out of view. Did you even know a “stove gap” existed?
And just in case you are really bored
2. Freshen white sneakers
A bright new pair of white sneakers goes well with almost any outfit, but those cool new kicks can also be magnets for dirt and debris. Here's how to clean white shoes, like Vans, using a simple DIY mixture:
In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of baking soda, a half tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a half tablespoon of warm water until it forms a thin paste. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the shoes, then rinse well with a damp cloth and allow to air-dry away from the sun. For leather sneakers, skip the hydrogen peroxide.
3. Organize the fridge
Large refrigerators are great for big families, but they can get cluttered fast. To keep your fridge organized, remove the packaging from multipacks of drinks and single-serve yogurts, use roll-out refrigerator bins to keep small items together and, to help reduce food waste, rotate older food items to the front before adding new groceries.
4. Keep storage spaces organized
If you use your garage or an outdoor shed as a storage space for things that don't fit inside the house, consider adding this step-by-step strategy to your spring cleaning checklist. Start by organizing all your items into three piles: keep, donate and toss.
After you've removed the donate and toss items, vacuum and clean the floor thoroughly. Then begin sorting the things you'll be keeping. Organize smaller items by product type in labeled bins and store them on shelves along the walls to maximize floor space.
5. Clean your doormats
Trap more dirt by using two mats at exterior/outside doors: one mat outside and one inside. Vacuum indoor mats on both sides. Going over the backs of the mats will push trapped dirt out onto the floor, where it will be easier to pick up. To refresh outdoor mats, hose them off, then air-dry.
6. Wipe down the walls
Rid painted walls of greasy fingerprints, dust and stains by wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth or a clean, damp microfiber mop. Be sure to start from the top and make your way to the bottom; bonus points if you wipe the doorframes and baseboards too. In between springtime deep-cleans, do spot-cleanings with a damp microfiber cloth whenever you see stains and marks. Tile walls in bathrooms can be cleaned the same way, though you may want to pair the damp microfiber cloth with a disinfecting bathroom cleaner to take care of any germs too.
For walls with vinyl wallpaper, make sure to wring out the damp microfiber cloth or the clean, damp microfiber mop well to avoid damage. Skip the water altogether if you're dealing with paper, fabric or grass cloth wallpaper.
7. Freshen up musty carpets
Refresh your carpets between deep-cleanings by using a portable carpet cleaner with a rotating brush. To rid your carpet of odors, sprinkle baking soda or carpet deodorizer on your carpet. Using a soft brush, work the baking soda into your carpet and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda off the carpet with a fresh bag or clean dirt cup.
If you notice unsightly stains on your carpet or it's time for a deeper clean, check out our expert guide to how to clean carpet the right way. Or consider investing in an at-home carpet cleaner appliance to get the job done without having to call a cleaning service.
8. De-stink the kitchen sink
Got kitchen stink you just can't kick? You might already have the necessary ingredients to freshen up your sink in the fridge right now. Try dropping a couple of lemon rind slivers into your garbage disposal, and turn it on for 15 to 30 seconds. Follow with cold water to flush out any bits of lemon rind that remain.
9. Bring stained cutting boards back to life
With regular use, even the best cutting boards can become stained. If you think that nasty mark on your cutting board is permanent, you could be wrong. Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to help remove food stains and smells. For extra oomph, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
10. DIY a stainless steel cleaner for sparkling appliances
To clean stainless steel appliances and sinks, mix a solution of one teaspoon dish detergent and one quart hot tap water. Using a microfiber cloth, rub the solution onto the marks in small sections, going with the grain. Rinse with clean hot water and dry immediately with a clean cloth.
