Deep cleaning can be broken down into small, manageable tasks. It can be such a great feeling knowing your home is clean and clutter free. Here are a few steps that I find useful as I spring clean my home.
? Schedule a time when you are going to deep clean your home. It doesn't matter when you do it as long as you set a time to do it. You may want to set a few days aside and write it on the calendar.
? Make a plan and keep it. Set realistic goals on which tasks you want to tackle and a time frame of when you want to accomplish it. It really helps me to set a specific time of when I want to accomplish a task. Be sure to allow time for interruptions so you don't get discouraged within the first ten minutes. Make sure you allow yourself break time. Remember, you do not have to clean the entire house at once!
? Make a to-do-list. Write down small, manageable tasks rather than large, overwhelming tasks. I like to see progress quickly and if I'm able to cross off several tasks within a half hour I feel like I am a cleaning machine. Instead of writing "clean the kitchen" write something less time consuming like "wipe down cupboards". Recheck your list often and cross off tasks you have accomplished.
? Start in one room and pick up anything that doesn't belong. Grab a basket and gather magazines, newspapers, crayons, toys, or whatever might be lying around that should not be. Take those items and put them where they belong. Once you have finished one room you can move onto the next.
? By staying on top of regular cleaning it makes deep cleaning much easier. This may seem like an obvious statement but it sure can save you a lot of time when spring cleaning comes around.
? Grab a large cardboard box and label it "thrift store". I find this very helpful as I am organizing to look for things I no longer use or need and toss it in this box. It is easy to collect things over time and this is one way to quickly eliminate those unwanted items.
? Put on some music and have fun! Cleaning in one of those things that has to be done whether you like it or not so why not make it fun. Invite some friends over to help or get your family involved.
Here are a few tasks you may want to include in your spring cleaning.
1. Shampoo carpets and upholstery. These jobs can be very time consuming but can make such a difference especially in high traffic areas and heavily used upholstery. Even though it may appear clean, it is amazing how beautiful carpet and upholstery can look after a good cleaning. Be sure to vacuum everything first before you begin shampooing. Also, make sure you rinse the area you have shampooed well with water. If too much shampoo residue is left behind it will attract dirt. Use a good shampooer. If you do not have one I suggest renting one from a department store or many hardware stores have them as well. A good shampooer will not only save you time but the finished product will look so much better. Open your windows and let in some fresh air. This will speed up the drying process.
2. Wipe down doors, doorknobs, light switches, cabinets, walls and baseboards. I like to use warm water and a little bit of dish soap as my cleaning solution. Look closely and you will see dirt that needs removed! I am always amazed at what I can find when I am looking for it. I don't usually notice how dirty they are until I begin to clean.
3. Dust lamps, ceiling fans, air conditioner vents, picture frames, blinds, bookcases and all other furniture. I like to take down light fixtures and clean out all the dust and bugs that have fallen inside or on top of them. I will usually rinse them off in the sink with soap and warm water and let them air dry on a towel. If it is easier to grab a step stool and windex go ahead and use that. My fixtures are usually so dirty that it is much easier to take them down and rinse them off. On wood furniture I like to use a cotton cloth and lemon to give it a nice shine. For ceiling fans and air conditioner vents I like to use a cloth and a vacuum with the bristle attachment.
4. Clean window sills. In my home this seems to be a trap for dirt. I will take a vacuum and clean up the worst of the dirt then take a damp cloth and wipe up the rest. This makes a world of difference in how my home looks.
5. Did I mention cobwebs? You may not have a problem with cob webs but there are those, like me, that do. You can either use a vacuum hose to suck them up or if you are unable to reach them with the hose you can use a broom. If you use a broom, simply put a towel on the bristles and sweep across the cobwebs. This works wonders and your ceiling will look great in no time.
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To find out more information on spring cleaning tips please visit http://www.sparklyandclean.com where you'll find great tips for all your spring cleaning as well as tips on how to tidy your house.
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