Spring Cleaning Tips: Interior of Home

Spring is here and it's the perfect time to do some light maintenance on your home before the warm weather kicks in. See our previous post about how to enhance the dependability and functionality of the exterior of your home. Now, it's time to focus on getting the inside of your home in shape for the spring season!

Spring Cleaning for the Living Room

Furniture Care

Tackle dusting in your home by using a Swiffer Duster or microfiber cloth. Start from one side of the room and work your way to the other - wiping down items like your TV, cable box, end tables, lamps, window casings, and fireplaces. Don't forget to polish any wood furniture and use a dry cloth on glass surfaces to avoid streaks.

Vacuum Everything!

When cleaning your home, don't forget to vacuum all the soft furniture, including couches and chairs, to get rid of dust and debris. Make sure to also vacuum around the base of the walls and curtains to catch any hidden dirt. Finally, finish off by vacuuming the floor to pick up all the dust and crumbs that may have fallen during the cleaning process.

Spring Cleaning for the Bathroom

Deep Clean Your Shower

You may use your shower and bath to get clean, but it deserves some TLC as well! Start by using an eraser sponge to wipe down the shower door, floor, and wall tiles from top to bottom. Clean the grout with a mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water, using a soft scrub brush to prevent mold buildup. Remember to wipe down the showerhead and faucet handle as well. If you have a shower liner, now would be a great time to replace it and get a fresh start for spring!

Vanity

Apply all-purpose cleaner to surfaces such as tile, countertops, faucets, toilets, and sinks, allowing it to sit for a minimum of 15 minutes before wiping them clean. Use a glass cleaner on your mirror and remember to start from the top and work your way down when wiping surfaces.

Spring Cleaning for the Kitchen

Cooking Appliances

Begin by cleaning the stovetop and burners with your favorite cleanser, then move on to wiping down the exterior of the oven to remove any grease or residue from holiday cooking.

Take out all the racks from your oven, wash them, and clean the inside of the oven. If you plan to use the self-cleaning function, be cautious as temperatures can reach up to 500 degrees and may cause a fire if there is a buildup of grease.

It's important to regularly clean out your toaster or toaster oven to prevent any build-up of crumbs and debris. Not only does this help to keep your appliance in good working condition, but it also reduces the risk of any potential fire-hazards.

Just like your oven - make sure to remove the tray from your microwave, give it a good clean, and don't forget to wipe down the inside of the microwave as well.

Clean the Cabinets

Throughout the year, our kitchen cabinets accumulate dirt, dust, food splatters, grease, and other residues. It's crucial to give them a thorough clean. For metal, plastic laminate, painted wood, or vinyl cabinets, simply use warm water and dish soap. Be sure to clean the edges and sides of your cabinets as well.

Don't forget to show some love to the insides of your cabinets! Take some time to declutter your spice cabinets and pantries, checking for any expired items. Also, give the shelves a good wipe down to remove any crumbs that may have spilled out of boxed items.

Remember that with warmer weather, pests like cockroaches and mice become more active. Getting rid of expired food and crumbs in your cabinets can help prevent pests from sneaking into your home.

Don't Skip the Refrigerator

You use the fridge every day, so be sure to take some time to clean it. With the arrival of spring and all the fresh produce available at Philly's farmer's markets, having a clean fridge is essential to keeping these items fresh. Remove all food items, wipe down the shelves with warm water and dishwashing liquid, and use baking soda for any tough stains. Allow everything to dry before putting the items back in.