The weather is warming up and it’s time to declutter, organize, and clean the house. After being inside all winter, most homeowners are ready to get busy with home improvements. Don’t neglect these commonly overlooked areas when spring cleaning.
Spring Clean Your Mattress
You’re cleaning everything, top to bottom, so don’t forget your mattress. Regularly cleaning your mattress extends its life and keeps you healthier. Did you know your mattress collects dust and other allergens? Clean your mattress following the steps below.
- Remove and launder all bedding, including pillowcases and throw blankets.
- Vacuum the mattress with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
- Spot clean any stains with a special upholstery cleaner.
- If the mattress needs to be freshened up, sprinkle a box of baking soda over the surface to deodorize it. Leave the baking soda on for a couple of hours before vacuuming it off.
Spring Cleaning for your Washing Machine
You occasionally wipe up spilled detergent, but otherwise, it isn’t likely that the washing machine gets cleaned regularly. Household appliances can accumulate dust and mold. Cleaning your machine will extend its life expectancy and help it run more efficiently. Spring cleaning for your washing machine includes:
- wiping the outside,
- cleaning the rubber gasket around the lid, and
- running a hot water cycle with 2 cups of vinegar and a ¼ cup of baking soda to clean the inside of the machine.
While you’re tending to your washing machine, check the hoses and connections to make sure there are no signs of cracks or leaks.
Overlooked Areas in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the most often used room in the home. Spring cleaning this area may take an entire day or even a weekend. While cleaning, don’t forget the areas behind your appliances. Use a hand truck to move them away from the wall and scrub the walls and floors that are usually hidden when the appliance is in place.
Clean inside your appliances using a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice, dish soap, and water. If you need extra scrubbing power, sprinkle baking soda on the surface, dampen it with your homemade cleaning solution, and then scrub the area clean.
Spring Cleaning: Door and Window Trim
Over time, dust accumulates on door and window trim as these areas are often overlooked in a regular house cleaning routine. Because dust and debris on top of trim doesn’t get removed often, make sure you tackle these areas while spring cleaning. The build-up of dust may require more than a feather duster to wipe away. Use a step stool to reach the trim. Clean it with a spray cleaner and microfiber cloth to help trap dirt.
AWP Home Inspections offers home inspection services to West Central and Central Indiana. Contact us to request an appointment.