Spring Into Cleaning
Contributed by Julie Cascio
Spring into Cleaning
Julie Cascio, University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, MatSu District
Dust, bacteria and mold are just a few things that can accumulate indoors over the winter. When done correctly, cleaning removes unwanted dirt and bacteria from the indoors. Challenging weather conditions keep us indoors all too long. Our instincts are to make everything – rugs, furniture, cupboards, curtains and more – look fresh and bright with our first whiff of spring.
Clear it Out
Start by getting rid of things that are needlessly filling up your home.
Recycle It. It is time to take those piles and bags of things to recycle.
Sell it. Garage sales or consignment shops are to move things out of the house that are in excellent condition but no longer needed.
Donate it. Items in good condition but no longer fit your lifestyle can be donated to charity.
Inventory Your Supplies
Before starting to clean, make sure you have all necessary supplies on hand. The basics should include an all-purpose spray cleaner, an all-purpose powder or liquid cleaner, an abrasive cleanser and non-abrasive cleaner, chlorine bleach, glass cleaner, dusting product, and any specific products you need for special surfaces. Check your vacuum cleaner bags, too.
Read the directions to use them safely and effectively. The label contains important information about how much product to get the best results. Following the instructions on the label will help prevent you from wasting the product. Make sure they are not within reach of children when stored or while you’re cleaning. Also gather cleaning tools, like paper towels or microfiber cloths.
Make a Plan – Decide on Cleaning Style
Some find it more effective to clean one room at a time. Others prefer to group tasks – such as cleaning windows in several rooms at once.
Prioritize. Generally, it’s best to do the rooms that need the most work or get the most traffic first.
Consider the big items. Check curtains, comforters, blankets, bed skirts, slipcovers and shower curtains to determine if you need to clean them.
Recruit Help.
Enlist family members or pair up with a friend. Clean efficiently to save time, money, water and energy. Start early on your Spring Cleaning day. Assign tasks to age and ability. Have lunch pre planned so helpers don’t lose momentum. Make it fun!!
Go!
Cleaning institute.org shares these strategies for efficient cleaning.
● Work from the top down. For example, dust before you vacuum so that you don’t have to go back and reclean where you’ve already been.
● Start in one corner and work your way around. When cleaning floors, start in the farthest corner and work your way back to the entrance.
● Prioritize the kitchen and bathroom. These are the rooms that will take the most time. Pretreat surfaces with product that should sit for a bit to work, like the toilet cleaner. Work top to bottom and remember to clean the appliances. For delicate flooring like the wood floors prone to scratching, get out the broom and sweep, before mopping.
● Focus on frequently touched surfaces that include doorknobs, light switches, tables, countertops, desks, handrails, and faucets. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning electronics.
Practice makes perfect. Now that you have succeeded in spring cleaning, set up a schedule to give your home this rundown. In addition to getting faster with repetition, the more frequently you clean will mean less need for deep cleaning to play “catch up.”