Spring Cleaning Part 3

Well, we are rounding up to the third and last week of spring cleaning. Can you see the finish line? Soon you will have a perfectly clean house (if you are keeping up of course) 

Here is part 1 and part 2. 

• Deep clean the bathroom 
• Start with the top and move down to the bottom ending with the floor. I also like to throw away any products I bought and never used or pull forward products that got hidden in the back. 
• Wash all your windows inside and out. 
• Vinegar and water again 
• Scrub all your window tracks
• Soapy water and an old toothbrush should work but for really tough and nasty messes, try vinegar again
• Go through your wardrobe and switch out your seasonal clothes
• Treat all your dingy white clothes to to a soak in a bowl of vinegar or borax. 
• Polish any wood.
• I personally use the Pledge Orange stuff but see below for a green alternative

If you are looking for a green way to clean your bathroom, I suggest this:

I've heard out of all the natural ways, this one really does this trick. 

Also, here is a green alternative to the Pledge Orange from care2.com

So there you have it! All done! You are now ready to enjoy your clean house just in time for summer.

Spring Cleaning Part 2

If you read part one here, I started spring cleaning the place. The idea is to do one a day and it will be done in 3 weeks. Click on the link to view what I did the first week. I actually took the weekend off and just piggy backed a couple. Here is the list for week 2:

• Sprinkle the mattress with baking soda and let sit for at least an hour, then vacuum it all up with the brush attachment. You can also wait till next time you wash the sheets to do this.
• Vacuum all upholstered furniture and vacuum or launder curtains.
• Take rugs and mats outside and beat with a broom handle
• Vacuum the floor really thoroughly before you put the rugs back
• Spot clean the carpet stains
• Spray stain with Windex  put a towel over it and iron over it. If it doesn't work fully the first time, do it again.
• Deep clean the oven, counter tops and clean out all the bottom cabinets
• To clean grease off your oven burners, put them in a baggy with 1/4 cup ammonia and seal the bag. Let it sit overnight (outside because it will stink) and then wipe it off in the morning with a sponge. 
• If you have water spots on your faucets, take some wax paper and rub them off with it after your are done cleaning it.
• Clean out the fridge 

If you are looking for a new vacuum, I highly reccomend any Dyson model. I don't have one myself but it is definitely on my registry. My Mom has the regular model and and a friend has the cordless for his apartment. They both love them and I have been known to borrow my Mom's every now and then to clean my place. They are expensive but well worth it and they give great customer service. Something in my Mom's broke and they sent her a new one right away, no questions asked. Ps. no this is not a paid advertisement for them lol. 

Dyson

Also another tip, when you are cleaning out the cup boards and fridge you should also be checking all the food or anything that expires and throwing them out if they aren't good. 

Spring Cleaning

Now that things are calmer around here, I've decided to do a spring (or early summer) cleaning of my Dad's place .. since we are staying here for free. So I've compiled a list. You can do one a day but some of them are really easy (especially if you have a smaller place, so a couple a day doesn't hurt either but if you do 1 a day it should take about 3 weeks) 

While going through the list, you are also going to focus on small things around the house that you might never take a second glance at in a regular day. While I am doing this, I am also making a "honey-do-list" or just a to-do list. I'm going to make this a three part series so I can focus on some recommended cleaning supplies as well :)

Week 1

Dust all light fixtures, fans, and any vents that are located on ceilings (like in a basement). 

 I recently picked up this microfiber duster. I love it, especially because when you are done you just slip the pad off and throw it in the wash and then let it air dry! So much cleaner, Eco-friendly and cost effective. 

Sweep cobwebs in corners along the ceiling. 

Dust all horizontal surfaces like doors, picture frames, shelves, baseboards, counters. 

Vacuum the tops of the cupboards (have you ever looked up there? They can get nasty)

Wipe down the insides of all your upper cupboards

Wipe down all your walls, fans and vents with a cloth dampened with some vinegar

Wash all the bed linens including the comforter, duvet, and the bed skirt and pillow shams. You may need to take bigger things like a duvet and your comforter to a dry-cleaner

So there is week one of spring cleaning. Doesn't seem so bad when it is broken down does it? 

View week 2 here