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Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning may be an overwhelming chore, but the results are so rewarding.  So let's get started!

Start from the top down.  Look up into corners and around crown molding for cob webs.  Dust ceiling fans, especially the ones in the bathroom and kitchen.  After dusting with a soft cloth or vaccuum, mix 2 oz. of a good liquid disinfectant, like Mr. Clean, with one gallon of warm water and using a cotton rag, wipe off the outside covers and blades of your ceiling fans.  Careful not to touch electrical wiring with the damp cloth.  This will disinfect and add a fresh scent.

Clean walls with the same combination of water and disinfectant and a cotton cloth.  For minor holes and knicks, purchase pre-mixed spackling from the hardware store and following product directions for repairs.

Move furniture out to vaccuum under.  Dust wood funiture using a soft cloth and a small amount of furniture lemon oil.  Furniture lemon oil adds moisture back into the wood and adds a nice shine.  To clean wood furniture before applying the lemon oil, use Murphy's Oil Soap.  It not only cleans the wood furniture, but will also add moisture.  If there are any scratches or knicks on your furniture, you can purchase a comparable color stain and apply with a Q-tip to restain the blemishes.

Dust all door frames and tops of doors where dust settles.  Dust baseboards and wipe down with a mixture of Murphy's Oil Soap and water.  Follow product directions for mixing with water.

To spot clean carpets, lightly spray the stain with water.  Purchase a half yard of white flannel cotton material from your craft or sewing store.  This should be enough for the job with plenty left over for future stains.  Cut a square of cloth a little larger than the stain.  Lay the square over the moistened area and lightly spray the cloth with a pre-spot carpet cleaner.  Gently press down on the area.  Let sit for about one hour.  The cloth will absorb the stain.  Depending on the stain you may have to repeat this process several times to get up most of the stain.  Do not oversaturate the stain with water or pre-spot cleaner or the stain will soak down into the pad of your carpet.  For bigger jobs, consider renting a carpet cleaner.