Change of Address: 10 Household Spring Cleaning Tips

10 Household Spring Cleaning Tips

My mother had two times each year to house clean from top to bottom. Living on a farm, where dust and grunge found its way into our home during open window season, I see now how necessary it was to keep our little haven sanitary as a home could be in those days. She was a neat-nick as we called her. Carrying a broom in her hand (before vacuum cleaners) her floors and furnishing were spotless. However there were times when surface cleaning, (as she called it) was not enough. After being cooped up all winter with a house full of girls, and a farmer husband, we knew at the dawn of spring and warm weather what was next on the agenda. Spring Cleaning.

Spring cleaning may mean something different to you, but let’s find a common meeting ground here. Make a list of what needs to be done.

- Steam clean carpets or shampoo carpets
- Wash or replace curtains
- Dry clean drapes
- Wash windows
- Wash throw rugs
- De-clutter
- Dust furniture and apply a good furniture polish
- Clean upholstered furniture
- Wash bed coverings, i.e. quilts, spreads, blankets, etc.
- Organize closets
- Organize kids room
- Wipe walls (wash?) Ceiling fans

I read stories about the Amish people of our country, and how cleanliness is next to Godliness to them. It is part of their life to take whatever time to do all of the above and more. Where to start? That is up to you really, but I would suggest tackling one room at a time.
Start with the smallest room first. Maybe the kid’s room, or spare bedroom in my case. De-clutter the closet, making a stack for Goodwill, and one for trash. Sorting clothes into a (1) keep, (2) goodwill and (3) throw-a-way stack makes it easier to put into trash bags for delivery to the proper place.
Dust the fans and crown molding. Starting at the top of the room gives you a better clean when all the dust and cob-webs from above fall to the floor then vacuuming and shampooing the carpet gets it all picked up.
Open the window. Turn the mattress, vacuum the mattress and springs. Spray a nice smelling linen spray on the mattress and springs before replacing the clean sheets. It is always good to let the mattress and springs take in fresh air before replacing the bed coverings. I would also suggest purchasing new pillows. I try to do this every six months or so. Bed pillows are not expensive, even though they can be. However I have found those of $10 each or less to serve my purpose.
After dusting the furniture and applying a good polish (preferably not a spray polish) but oil based polish, buffed and rubbed in well, giving the wood some much needed moisture you are then ready for the floors.
Whether you have hard-wood or carpet, you must make sure every corner of the room has been dusted, cleaned and vacuumed or shampooed.
Each room should get the same care. So a spring cleaning job will take more than a week-end when there is little help. However if there are teenagers who are willing to help, it may not take as much time as first thought. Tackle the bathroom. Remove all rugs, leaving the bare floor. If there are vanity drawers, dump them and start with de-cluttering. Before replacing the “Keep” stack, wash and clean the drawer. Do each one until all is done, remembering that any shelf should be de-cluttered as well. I love having all my towels and bath clothes folded the same. It makes for a neat appearance when opening the linen closet door.
Then there is under the sink, which can become a mess. Decide what exactly you want this part of the bathroom to do for you. Hold Toilet tissue? House your cleaning supplies? Your grooming supplies? If it is big enough, you may want to place two items with one on one side and another on the other. Either way, make it accessible for either/or.
Do you have tile? Or is it linoleum? Either way, a good mopping using a good disinfectant soap will leave your bathroom clean. There are some good tub and tile cleaners that require a spray and wipe approach for cleaning the shower and tub.

After all this, I realized I need to take advantage of my own suggestions. After having major surgery last month, I am anxious to get back to my ‘ole self and do just that. This winter has left me with clutter and I’m ready to organize and do some spring cleaning. My mother would be proud. March and April will be here soon and by then my strength will be back to normal.