Nothing feels quite as satisfying as coming home to a house that sparkles. Since cleaning your house from top to bottom can be overwhelming — not to mention tiring and time-consuming — take it room by room or appliance by an appliance with these spring cleaning tips from organizing and cleaning pros. No matter if you only have five minutes to freshen things up or an entire weekend to spare, give all of your home’s trouble spots a much-needed refresh with these cleaning how-tos from Jeffrey Phillip, organizing expert, and Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. While there are some givens on this list (how to clean your microwave or mattress, for example), there are also a few spots that often go unnoticed, like doormats and ceiling fans.
Consider this to be your unofficial spring cleaning checklist: Go slide-by-slide for a whole home makeover or tackle your home’s dirtiest spots (the refrigerator, and shower curtain, to name a few) when you have some extra time on your hands. But before you even get to work, make sure you have all the best cleaning products to remove stains, vacuum dirt, shine floors, and so on. The end result: a more livable space just in time for summer.
Doormats
Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside. To refresh, hose off and air-dry mats. Vacuum indoor ones on both sides — going over the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor, where it will be easier to pick up.
Windows
Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the house, as the direct sun can lead to streaks. “Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth,” says Carolyn Forte, Director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster and finish by vacuuming the fabric shades and drapes.”
Kitchen Sink
Got kitchen stink you just can’t kick? Try running a couple of lemon rind slivers through your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to get rid of any unwanted odors.
Microwave
Finally, clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all. Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange 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 5 minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe the inside and outside with a sponge.
Article Pulled From Good Housekeeping
Follow this checklist to get all of your appliances and rooms in order. BY CAROLINE PICARD AND AMANDA GARRITY
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