Springtime is when we want everything fresh just like the weather waking up all around us. That requires some effort after a typical winter of nesting.
To get you started, here are some tips from the Pro’s:

You don’t need a lot of harsh chemicals to do a good cleaning, but there are some key items that you can use and combine to tackle most household tasks. One thing I found is when I have an arsenal of different chemical cleaners, I often find myself dusting and cleaning those bottles because they stick around forever, so multi-use products are my favorite approach. I will share some of my favorite concoctions out of inexpensive ingredients you already have.

Turn on the music and turn off the phone and other distractions


Music will get you moving and distract YOU from distraction. Pick something upbeat that you can sing shamelessly to. Trust me when I say it makes the chores fly by if you’ve not tried this.

Gloves: something magical that makes me fearless to touch anything when I’m wearing latex gloves. It makes me more inspired to dig into crevices I might otherwise be squeamish about.

Start the oven first

If the oven is on your list, go ahead and spray the inside and get that soaking while you embark on the rest of the house.

Work top-to-bottom

Start with the ceiling. Sweep with a broom or vacuum across the walls looking for dust or cobwebs. Don’t forget light fixtures! Put your pillowcase over each blade of your ceiling fan and slide the dust right off to capture inside of the case. When done, turn inside-out and shake outside. Wipe down all shelves along the walls. Let all dust and crumbs fall to the floor as you work since the floor is the last thing you’ll clean and you’ll get all of it then.

Quick wins

To build your momentum, attack the least used rooms first. As you close those doors and give yourself a high-five, you’ll feel more energized to attack the next room.

Bedrooms

Now that you’re feeling accomplished, it’s time to get your sanctuary in order. Reducing dust and other allergens will only help you achieve even better sleep. Do it in the same fashion you did with the other rooms, top-to-bottom, but you’re really addressing dust that has settled in the nooks and crannies of your bedroom. Change out your linens and blankets. Put throw pillows and curtains in the dryer on a heat setting if they aren’t stained at all. This will suck away the dust and hair. Finally – give that space under the bed a good vacuum.

Bathrooms

For the shower, pull out your Dawn and vinegar to make a Tub and Shower Soap Scum Cleaner (my favorite site for tested and true cleaning recipes). Spray down the walls and shower to soak and do it’s thing while you start on other parts.

Inspect you shower nozzle. If it is clogged, soak it in a baggie of white vinegar and continue cleaning. After a good soak for a few hours, the clogged deposits should wipe right off.

Fill a sprayer of one part vinegar to one part water. Vinegar is a great cleaner that leaves a streak-free shine on mirrors and faucets. If you find that a faucet has mineral deposits around the base, let some vinegar soak on it just as you would the shower nozzle and it too will wipe right off.

You can use straight vinegar in the toilet bowl to clean, or if there are stains, my favorite chemical cleanser is Barkeepers Friend for anything porcelain. For mineral deposits underneath the lip of the toilet, soak paper towels in vinegar and tuck them undernath for a few hours to break down the minerals.

For disinfectant, I love peroxide, because it’s inexpensive and won’t stain my clothing. It is now even sold in spray bottles already for less than a dollar.

Now you’re ready to address the shower once it’s had time to soak. Most should wipe off quite easily by now, but pull out the magic eraser for any stubborn films or stains. Freshen the shower drains (especially those in the rarely used bathrooms) by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup salt down the drain. Follow with 1 cup of heated vinegar and let it soak for 15 minutes. Finish it off by running hot tap water for 15 to 30 seconds to wash it all down.

Living room and family room

Again, just like the bedrooms, work from top to bottom with all the tricks I taught you for the ceiling fan, dusting, and don’t forget to throw the pillows into the dryer. Add to all of that a good vacuum of the inside of the sofa and chairs. If cannot locate the crevice tool for your vacuum, you can tape a paper towel roll to the hose in its place. Don’t forget to vacuum behind the furniture!

Kitchen

I’m saving the best for last (or is it worst?), because you’ve learned all the top tricks to apply here. You can use the vinegar and water on any stainless surfaces. One tip is to wipe along the grain with a microfiber cloth. Do be careful with any abrasive on polished stainless, for it can wipe away the polish and leave a dull blob of finish.

For any tough stains on your glass or enamel stove, try first a magic eraser, then a paste of baking soda and peroxide. Just rub and buff with a rag or sponge, then rinse and wipe. If the stains are very tough, Barkeepers Friend is my trade secret for enamel, glass, and porcelain. It brightens white surfaces beautifully.

Use your lemons on wooden cutting boards, wiping with some salt to remove stains and odors then rinse. Also put a lemon half in a bowl of water and microwave for 3–4 minutes. The steam and citric acid of the lemon will soften up any food splatter so it can be wiped away. When all are done, put them in the garbage disposal with some ice cubes for a cleaning and freshening.

Use the tub and shower cleaner to address the greasy film buildup in places like on top of the fridge and cupboards. It needs time to soak, so spray first while you address the rest of the kitchen.

Rewards

It’s time to relax and celebrate your achievement once you’ve finished the house. Plan a hot bath, movie of your choice and maybe even carry out because you JUST CLEANED THE KITCHEN.

If you find yourself exhausted just reading this, then it’s a great time to remind you that Maid to Glow had a deep cleaning service that will take on many of these chores for you. Simply book a time on the calendar for us to do the deep cleaning for you and you can still get carry-out. Your secret is safe with us.