Spring Cleaning

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

With all the cold weather, it is hard to conceptualize that spring is nearly here.  Purging the home and garage twice a year helps eliminate headaches down the road.  Plan for sections, or rooms, and work in phases, so it won't be overwhelmingly time consuming. Work from the top down, inside to outside, to avoid getting what you just cleaned dirty again. 
Do one room, or just one area at a time. The satisfaction of seeing one room sparkle will inspire to do more. When tidying, reduce trips around the house by temporarily depositing items in one spot. Don't forget to scrub the shower stall.  Make small repairs. If you're not handy, hire someone. Invest in good rubber or vinyl gloves to protect your skin and nails. 
Dust before vacuuming or cleaning the floor--floor work kicks up the dust.  Household rags are invaluable for jobs requiring a damp cloth – natural fibres work best.  Buy mops with a squeeze mechanism (great for vinyl, linoleum or ceramic tile floors) and a decent-size heavy-duty pail. Use a Swiffer for light dusting, or your favorite broom or vacuum attachment to clean hardwood floors. Then damp-mop with a mild cleaner such as Murphy Oil Soap.