30+ Spring Cleaning Tips to Make Every Room Sparkle

Before you get started, print this checklist to make sure you clean every inch of your home.

A simple mixture of two parts water to one part white distilled vinegar is all you need for a streak-free finish on windows and glass surfaces. Wipe the inside of windows from side to side, and the outside of windows from top to bottom. This makes it easier to see which side (if any) needs further cleaning. William P. Steele

Go through the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for foods that are past their expiration dates or those items you know you’ll never use. Throw them away. For unopened can and jar foods that are still good but you know you won’t eat, donate them.

Use old wooden crates or wicker baskets to keep bottles and packages standing upright.

Give your room a fresh scent. Whip up a room deodorizer on the stovetop by simmering orange rinds or lemon slices and rosemary in a pot of water. The scent will freshen your space.

Donate the novelty appliances you rarely or never use. Clean out the inside of your microwave. And turn your attention to your must-have appliance: the coffee maker. To clean your coffee maker, brew a pot using 2 parts distilled water and 1 part vinegar. Brew this mixture 3 times, then follow up with 3 brews using distilled water.

Throw away any medicines or health and beauty items with expired dates. Many personal care products deteriorate after six months. Also, be realistic with yourself and toss anything you haven’t used recently.

Soak a cotton ball with essential oils and toss it under the bathroom sink (out of reach from pets) for a clean, fresh smell. Try lavender, jasmine, or any fragrance you like. The cotton will stay fragrant for about two weeks.

Clean grout is like a facelift for your bathroom. To remove mold and mildew, home care expert Cheryl Mendelson, author of Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House, recommends scrubbing grout with a toothbrush and a simple solution of 1/2 cup chlorine bleach diluted in a gallon of water. Test on an inconspicuous section of grout and tile first. If deep cleaning your tiled surfaces doesn’t go far enough, try regrouting the surfaces.

Organizer MaryJo Monroe of Respaced says those little bottles of lotions and potions are dust-catchers. “If you’re not using them, give them away or throw them out. If you do use them, find a storage system to hold and organize them in your bath.”

Clear plastic drawers are the “little black dress” of organizing, says Barbara Reich, a professional organizer. Use them in every room of the house. They’re great in the bathroom when used to divide and organize drawers or to make great use of space under the bathroom sink. When they get dusty, clear them of their contents and wash them in the dishwasher.

Remove everything from your bedroom that doesn’t serve you—books you’ve read or don’t intend to read, clothes you don’t like, magazines, newspapers, and more. Make your bedroom a haven by first cleaning out the piles.

Dry clean or launder the heavy comforter on your bed, store it, and replace it with a lighter blanket. Swap your heavy bed sheets for lighter sheets and store the rest. Wash linens in hot water to kill allergens. Invest in a new odor-eliminating, anti-bacterial mattress pad.

Corral small items like loose change, eyeglasses, remote controls, and your lip gloss on a tray to transform what might otherwise look messy into a neat arrangement that’s stylish and chic.

Magazines and newspapers create clutter in living spaces and collect dust. Store them in a basket until you’re done with them, and donate magazines to a hospital or library. Recycle newspapers.

Run the washing machine cycle with distilled white vinegar and hot water. This will get rid of any mildew and soap scum.

Clean the plate of the iron with a baking soda and water paste to remove any build-up from spray starch. Check the condition of your ironing board and board cover and replace if needed.

Line cabinet interiors with wallpaper and edge shelves in trim for a cheerful greeting every time you open the door. Floral-patterned trays corral laundry and sewing supplies.

Give the deck boards a good look. Raised nails can be pounded back in. If the floor is in disrepair, take time to replace rotting boards and to scrape, sand, and refinish existing boards.

If you have a screened-in porch, vacuum the screens to remove dirt and allergens. Fill a bucket with soapy water and wipe down the screens using a sponge.

Add plants. Buy planters and flowers to welcome the season and add a little color. Fill window boxes with bloomers.

Source: countryliving.com ~ BY KATHY BARNES ~ Image: Canva Pro