- CALL US TODAY!
- 720-741-0613
1
Combine one part white vinegar, one part water, a lemon rind and a few rosemary springs into a spray bottle. Shake and let it infuse for a week before using. This natural cleaner can remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges and much more. Keep in mind: Vinegar is not safe for all surfaces, including natural stone and finished wood.
2
Rather than struggling to scrub your oven racks in the sink, give them a soak in the bath tub. Scrub racks with a medium or heavy duty scouring pad and grease-fighting dish soap. Our advice? Lay down towels in the tub first to prevent scratching from the metal racks.
Put your dryer to work! Toss drapes, curtains and soft valances in the dryer for 15 minutes on air-only or the lowest temperature your model offers, then immediately rehang to avoid wrinkles.
Attach your vacuum’s soft dusting brush attachment and turn the suction down to the lowest setting available. Close the blinds, hold the slats taut and vacuum slowly. (Move from left to right for horizontal blinds, top to bottom for vertical blinds.) Open and close the slats in the opposite direction, then vacuum each slat again.
RELATED: How to Clean Blinds Fast
With regular use, even the best cutting boards can become stained. If you think that nasty mark on your cutting board is permanent, you could be wrong. Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to help remove food stains and smells. Sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first for extra oomph. Follow up with a coating of a cutting board oil to nourish the wood.
6
Most bed pillows can go straight into the washing machine! You need to clean these items only two or three times a year, so they should be at the top of your list during spring cleaning season. Just make sure you check the manufacturer’s label for care instructions.
RELATED: How to Wash Pillows Properly, According to a Cleaning Expert
7
Combine ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one cup water into a spray bottle, shaking to combine. Spray a microfiber cloth with the solution and dab the stain. Once the stain is removed, fill another spray bottle with fresh water and spray the area to rinse any suds. Blot well with a clean microfiber cloth and allow to air dry. You can also refresh carpets between deep-cleanings by using a portable carpet cleaner.
8
Lemon juice acts as a natural acidic cleaner, so it can tackle soap scum. Mix it with water and spray it on tubs and showers, then scrub. Keep in mind: Never use this mixture on marble to avoid damaging the surface.
9
Use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to refresh the toilet bowl and remove hard water stains. Drain the water out of your toilet bowl. Pour white vinegar into the bowl until it covers the water line and let it sit overnight. Add one cup of baking soda to create a fizzy solution. Start scrubbing until stains are gone, then flush.
10
Going over the backs of the mats will push trapped dirt out onto the floor, where it will be easier to pick up. To refresh outdoor mats, hose them off, then air-dry. Pro tip: You can trap more dirt by using two mats, one mat outside and one inside.
11
Ditch a store-bought disposable duster for something you may have at home — used dryer sheets. Collect dust on furniture, air vents, ceiling fans, baseboards and much more. The anti-static properties are also great for wiping down TVs, mirrors and computer screens.
12
Clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all. To clean your microwave, fill a large microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and a lemon, lime or orange cut into thin slices — or several tablespoons of vinegar — and stick it inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for five minutes before opening the door. Remove the bowl and wipe the inside and outside of the microwave with a sponge.
13
Before you start to notice an odor, clean your washing machine by adding bleach and turning on the special washer-cleaning cycle on your machine. Or use a washing machine cleaner like GH Seal Star Tide Washing Machine Cleaner.
14
Ketchup helps dissolve tarnish on copper pots and other copper cooking accessories. Just massage the sauce over the surface, and add a pinch of salt if you come across exceptionally stubborn spots.
15
When it comes to cleaning kids’ toys, don’t overlook the convenience of your dishwasher or washing machine. For plastic toys, choose the crystal or quick cycle on the dishwasher and skip the heated dry. For stuffed animals, check the care labels, and if machine washable, place them in a mesh bag or pillowcase before throwing it into the washing machine on a gentle cycle. A quick once-over with a lint roller can help too.
RELATED: Easy Toy Storage Ideas and Tips That Will Get Kids Super Organized
16
It’s the ideal time to pay attention to what’s under the sheets. To clean your mattress, first use a top-performing clothing steamer to kill dust mites near the surface. Vacuum the mattress afterward, making sure to press firmly with your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean the top and sides. After vacuuming, sanitize the mattress with a disinfecting spray like Lysol Fabric Disinfectant Spray.
17
To rid your carpet of odors, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet. Using a soft brush, work the baking soda into your carpet and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda off the carpet with a fresh bag or clean dirt cup.
18
Go through clothes and shoes, purging anything you’ve only worn once and likely won’t wear again. Think a bridesmaid dress, Halloween costume or formal dress you’ve outgrown. Try on anything you’re unsure about before giving it closet space. Keep an eye out for anything stained, in need of repair or worn out.
RELATED: 6 Types of Clothes to Get Rid of ASAP, According to Pro Organizers
19
In addition to wiping down your fridge’s interior shelving on a regular basis, give the removable bins and shelves a deep-clean every now and then. Pop out the door shelves and bins and wash them in warm, soapy water to help get rid of food bacteria and spillage. Don’t forget to rinse and dry everything well before putting the shelves and bins back in.
20
Wait for an overcast day to clean windows. Choosing a sunny day is one of the most common window-cleaning mistakes to avoid. “Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth,” Forté says.
21
If there’s a gap between your stove and kitchen counters, there’s a good chance food bits have made their way into this tight, dark space. Use the crevice tool on your vacuum or an extendable duster to reach into this space.
22
Yes, you have to clean your cleaners. Replace the vacuum bag or clean the dust cup, and replace or wash the filters. Snip threads snarled in the brush with scissors or a seam ripper.
23
A bright new pair of white sneakers goes well with almost any outfit, but those cool new kicks can also be magnets for dirt and debris. Clean white shoes using a simple DIY mixture:
In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of baking soda, a half tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a half tablespoon of warm water until it forms a thin paste. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the shoes, then rinse well with a damp cloth and allow to air-dry away from the sun. For leather sneakers, skip the hydrogen peroxide.
24
To clean stainless steel appliances and sinks, mix a solution of one teaspoon dish detergent and one quart hot tap water. Using a microfiber cloth, rub the solution onto the marks in small sections, going with the grain. Rinse with clean hot water and dry immediately with a clean cloth.
25
To clean makeup brushes, squeeze a few drops of baby shampoo or Dawn dish soap into your palm and rub the bristle tips into the soap, then gently work the suds through them. To rinse, hold the brush (bristles down) under warm running water. Gently shake over the sink to remove excess water, then lay the brush down on a paper towel to finish drying.
26
Turns out, you can put your plastic or vinyl shower curtain in the washing machine. “Select a warm, delicate cycle or for very dirty liners a hot, short cycle adding in some bleach (for clear or white liners) and some old towels for scrubbing action,” says Forté. Place the liner in the dryer on low heat for only a few minutes to remove excess moisture. Hang the liner to finish drying.
RELATED: 7 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know You Could Clean in Your Washing Machine
27
Switch to the upholstery tool on your vacuum to go over both sides of cushions and underneath them. The crevice tool is a great way to remove any gunk along the trim and stitching. After, use a handheld garment steamer to kill surface dust mites, allowing just steam to touch and penetrate the fabric.
RELATED: How to Clean a Couch the Right Way
28
Getting rid of expired makeup, skincare and hair products is a quick way to declutter. Not all products note an expiration date, but many say how many months the product will last after opening.
29
Rid painted walls of dust by wiping them with a damp microfiber mop. For walls with vinyl wallpaper, make sure to wring out the damp mop well to avoid damage. Skip the water altogether if you’re dealing with paper, fabric or grass cloth wallpaper. Be sure to start from the top and make your way to the bottom.
30
Got kitchen stink you just can’t kick? You might already have the necessary ingredients to freshen up your sink in the fridge right now. Try dropping a couple of lemon rind slivers into your garbage disposal, and turn it on for 15 to 30 seconds. Follow with cold water to flush out any bits of lemon rind that remain.
31
More than 15,000 fires start in home laundry rooms every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Beyond removing the fuzz from your dryer’s filter after every load, pull out hard-to-reach lint with the crevice tool on your vacuum to suck up debris. Vacuum under, around and behind the dryer as well. Unplug the dryer and use your vacuum’s hose to clean as far into the dryer vent as possible.
32
Cleaning your oven is an essential part of spring cleaning. Use the appliance’s self-cleaning function to remove stubborn, baked-on grime. If your oven doesn’t have one, place a hot, wet cloth on top of burned spots to help soften the gunk. Then apply an oven cleaner (like one of the best oven cleaners we’ve tested) and let stand for as long as the manufacturer recommends. Rinse with a wet cloth and wipe dry.
33
Unsightly kitchen grime is a mix of dust and grease that builds up over time. To de-gunk kitchen cabinets, use a cabinet cleaner or mixture of dish soap and water to cut through dirt. Wipe both sides of the cabinet door, paying special attention to knobs and drawer pulls.
34
With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to get your outdoor furniture ready for lounging. To do this, add a squirt of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, then wipe down tables and chairs. Rinse with a cloth or a spray from your garden hose and let them air dry.
35
To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix a half cup of baking soda with one fourth of a cup of table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by one cup of warmed white vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes, tops.
Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially helpful for seldom-used drains, like those in guest bathrooms.
36
Trash bags break, and when they do, washing your trash can is the only way to keep odors out of your home. To wash the inside of your trash can, hose it down and scrub the inside with your favorite dish soap and a sponge. Rinse it well, and either allow it to air-dry or dry it with a microfiber cloth before returning it to your kitchen. Regularly use a sanitizing wipe or spray to keep the outside of the trash can free of food bits and drips.
37
Hard-water buildup can cause unsightly stains and even affect your showerhead’s water flow. If scrubbing with a sponge doesn’t clear the debris, clean your showerhead and restore its flow using a few kitchen products you probably already have in your home. (Take note: This method is best suited for chrome fixtures.) Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a plastic bag and tie the bag around the showerhead, making sure to immerse the showerhead entirely. Secure it with a twist tie. Leave the bag around the shaft for up to an hour, then wipe away any residue left behind. Run the shower’s hot water to flush out the vinegar.
Caution: To help prevent damaging decorative showerhead finishes, choose instead to dunk a brush into the vinegar-and-water mix and scrub the showerhead nozzles. Then flush the openings by turning on the hot water.
Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you forget about during the rest of the year. Grab an extendable duster, like the one from GH Seal holder Swiffer, and attack ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, vents and more. Make sure to start your cleaning here, from top to bottom, so you don’t have to vacuum your floors twice.
Reusable grocery bags cut down on wasteful plastic, but they can get grimy over time. Look at the care label on your reusable bags to determine the best way to clean them. If they’re not machine washable, clean them thoroughly with a sponge or cloth dipped in sudsy water. Rinse with a clean cloth and let air-dry.
Spring is a great time to clean or replace HVAC and window air conditioner filters before you start to use them regularly in the summer months. It’s best to check with your unit’s manufacturer for the recommended way to clean filters if they’re washable.