Spring is here, which means it’s time to break out the mop, duster and rubber gloves and get rid of all the junk that accumulated over the winter, an addition to your regular cleaning. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to get your house back in order and give it a deep clean tohelp with the dreaded allergy season.
Regular cleaning is vital to maintaining a healthy, comfortable and happy living space. Cleaning removes allergens, dust and other pollutants that can accumulate over time, and it can help to improve your mental well-being.
A regularly cleaned home is healthier, looks and smells better, and lasts longer. Less soil and moisture present reduces the growth of disease and odorcausing bacteria. Less grit on flooring lessens the wear on both hard and soft floors. Less airborne and resettling dust cuts down respiratory exposure, overheating of electronics, HVAC maintenance, clogging of air purifiers and household dusting.
Cleaning can also reduce the risk of a slip, trip or fall, which is the leading cause of trauma in the home environment.
Before you start cleaning, it’s time to give your cleaning supplies an overhaul and stock up on the essentials. Ditch the toxic supplies to create a cleaner, healthier and safer home. Do make sureyouhavethese items before you start your spring cleaning: microfiber cloths, rubber gloves, duster, vacuum cleaner with attachments, broom and dustpan, mop, carpet cleaner, scrub brush, garbage bags, dish or castile soap, all-purpose cleaner, window and glass cleaner, baking soda.
While you’re doing your spring cleaning, it’s also a good time to declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer use or need. Clutter can make your home feel chaotic and disorganized.
By implementing the oneyear rule, you can evaluate whether an item is worth keeping- if you haven;t used something in the past year, it’s likely that you don’t need it. Donate, sell or recycle these items to create a more streamlined and functional living space.
Open the windows, start your deep clean from the top and work your way down.
• Dust. Dust and debris usually fall from higher surfaces, so it’s important to clean themfirst. Start by dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures and shelves, then move on to furniture and countertops. Finally, clean your floors, ensuring that you vacuum or mop them thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt.
• Glass. Use old T-shirts, socks or newspaper to clean glass. These items are perfect for streak-free cleaning. You can make a DIY glass cleaner – equal parts white vinegar andwater – and then shake, spritz and wipe. You can also use a microfiber cloth, water and mild soap.
• Walls. Use soap and water to erase scuff marks from walls.
• Floors. Mold can quickly grow and go unnoticed during the colder months, even on your carpet. Use a carpet cleaner to thoroughly clean and remove excess moisture.
• Furniture. Furniture holds onto heat, sweat, dust and grime. Use a steamer meant for furniture and upholstery for a deep clean.
• Grout. Cleaning grout can be tough, but you can still get those hard-to-reach crevices and grout lines. Try an extendable scrubber brush that can help you reach these germy spotswithout straining your back or overworking your knees.
• Bedding and mattresses. Wash all bedding and vacuum the mattress. Vacuum the mattress’s top and sides using the upholstery attachment. If your bed has any odor or shows signs of staining, sprinkle baking soda over the top of it and let it sit for 30 minutes before vacuuming up. Rotate the mattress 180 degrees or give it a flip to prolong its lifetime.
Don’t forget areas that are typically neglected. Some areas of your home may not receive regular attention but still accumulate dirt and grime. Be sure to clean baseboards, air vents, window tracks and the spaces behind and beneath appliances. You may also want to deep clean your upholstery, carpets and curtains to remove dust and allergens. Don’t forget doorknobs and handles as well.
Your annual spring cleanout is also the perfect opportunity to check your home’s major systems and appliances.
• Plumbing. Check areas for early signs of plumbing issues and water damage – under sinks and in the basement – and pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar down drains and the dishwasher a couple of times per month to keep them clog-free. You should also inspect and drain your water heater to remove built-up sediment.
• Appliances. Scrub the stove and hood vents and vacuum dust and dirt from your refrigerator coils. Don’t forget your washer and dryer.
• HVAC. Make sure you replace the air filter on your HVAC or call and schedule your biannual maintenance with a technician. You should change air filters seasonally, or every three months.
• Safety. Check fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors to see if they are functioning properly.
As warmer weather approaches, you can’t forget the outdoors. Now is the time to get your yard ready for spring.
Give your patio furniture a thorough cleaning, remove any debris from your deck or balcony and check for any necessary repairs or maintenance.
• Gutters. Clean leaves and debris out of your gutter lines.
• Siding. Consider giving your home a fresh coat of paint. Painting and sealing the siding can help keep pests out and prevent leaks and mold from forming. Look for signs of damage or deterioration and make repairs as soon as you can to protect your home.
• Trim trees. High winds and storms can bring down limbs or entire trees, potentially damaging your property. Trim trees that are encroaching or overhanging near gutters or rooflines, to help prevent damage.
• Lawn equipment maintenance. Clean your lawn equipment and get rid of any debris left over from last year. Check the oil level in your lawn mower and whether the blades are dull or worn. Replace any components if necessary.
Get out the grill. Give it a good scrub. Use a grill brush to remove visible residue on the grill plate and use a damp rag to wipe down the exterior.
OSU Extension has information on other related topics in the areas of Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, and Rural and Community Development. Feel free to contact us at the OSU Extension Center at: 580-6235195. .Blaine County is on the W e b athttp://www.extension.okstate. edu/county/blaine. Or, like our Facebook pages.