Get Your Home Ready for the Warm Months Ahead

As the days grow longer and the temperature warms up, a clean and organized home can set the stage for a relaxed and enjoyable summer. Here are some comprehensive tips to help you refresh your home and start off the season right.

Air Out Your House

For months, your home has been closed up to keep the warmth in and the cold winter temperatures out, but as a result your indoor air is stagnated.  Now that the weather is warming up, it’s a great time to open all of the windows and freshen the air inside your home.

Tips to Freshen Your Indoor Air:

• Open windows and doors to let clean air come in and circulate.
• You can speed up the process by turning on bathroom exhaust fans to exhaust stagnant air.
• Air out curtains, blankets, and area rugs as well.

Declutter and Organize

Before you start scrubbing and dusting, take the time to declutter your living spaces. Go through each room and sort your belongings into categories: keep, donate, recycle, and discard. Be honest with yourself about what you truly need and use. Reducing clutter not only creates more space but also makes cleaning much easier.

How to Declutter Effectively:

• Start with one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Use boxes or bags for sorting items into the four categories.
• Set a timer for each session to keep yourself focused and motivated.
• Donate gently used items to local charities or thrift stores.
• Recycle or properly dispose of broken or unusable items.

Deep Clean Your Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home and one of the rooms that gets the most use, so giving it a deep clean can make a significant impact. Start by emptying out your cabinets and pantry, wiping down shelves, and discarding expired or unused items. This is a great opportunity to really start fresh and get everything cleaned and organized.  Don’t forget to clean all surfaces, including countertops, stovetops, and appliances.

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist:

• Clean inside and outside of your refrigerator and freezer.
• Degrease and scrub the oven, microwave, and stovetop.
• Sanitize kitchen sinks and faucets.
• Wipe down cabinet doors and handles.
• Mop the floor and clean any rugs or mats.

Refresh Living Areas

Living areas like the living room and family room can accumulate dust and dirt over time. Refresh these spaces by dusting all surfaces, including shelves, picture frames, and electronics. Vacuum or steam clean upholstery and carpets to remove allergens and stains.

Living Area Cleaning Tips:

• Wash and replace throw blankets and pillow covers.
• Clean windows and window treatments, such as curtains or blinds.
• Dust and polish furniture.
• Organize bookshelves and media centers.
• Add some houseplants to bring a touch of greenery indoors and brighten your space.

Tidy Up Bedrooms

A clean and organized bedroom can improve your sleep quality and overall well-being. Start by washing all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and blankets. This is also a great time to rotate or flip your mattress to ensure even wear.

Bedroom Cleaning Tips:

• Declutter and organize closets and dressers.
• Dust and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
• Vacuum under the bed and clean the floors.
• Wipe down mirrors and windows.
• Freshen up the room with a lightly scented linen spray.

Clean and Organize Bathrooms

Bathrooms require regular cleaning, but giving them a deep clean during spring can make a noticeable difference. Scrub and disinfect all surfaces, including sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs.

Bathroom Cleaning Checklist:

• Clean mirrors and glass shower doors.
• Wash shower curtains and liners.
• Organize medicine cabinets and toiletries.
• Replace old or worn-out towels and bath mats.
• Ensure proper ventilation to reduce mold and mildew growth.

Have Your Ductwork Cleaned

Your ductwork is like the lungs of your home, so when your ductwork is dirty, your indoor air is dirty.  This can cause or worsen indoor allergies and even spread illnesses.  For most homes it is recommended to have your ductwork cleaned every 3 years, but some homes may need to be cleaned more frequently.

Tips for Having Your Ductwork Cleaned:

• If you notice that you need to dust more frequently, see dust or debris accumulating outside of vents, or smell odors, duct cleaning may be necessary.
• Duct cleaning has also been shown to increase the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
• Hire a qualified Duct Cleaning service to ensure your ductwork is cleaned properly.

Outdoor Spaces

As the weather warms up, you’ll likely be spending more time outdoors. Prepare your outdoor spaces by cleaning patios, decks, and outdoor furniture. Sweep away debris and wash surfaces with a mild detergent.

Outdoor Cleaning Tips:

• Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.
• Pressure wash driveways, walkways, and siding.
• Trim overgrown bushes and trees.
• Plant seasonal flowers or start a small garden.
• Set up outdoor seating areas for relaxation and entertainment.

Maintain a Cleaning Schedule

Once your home is clean and organized, maintaining it can be a breeze with a regular cleaning schedule. Divide tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly chores to keep your home in top shape year-round.

Suggested Cleaning Schedule:

• Daily: Make beds, do a quick tidy-up, and wash dishes.
• Weekly: Dust surfaces, vacuum floors, and clean bathrooms.
• Monthly: Deep clean appliances, wash windows, and organize closets.
• Seasonally: Declutter and perform a whole-home deep clean.

By following these spring cleaning tips, you can create a fresh and welcoming environment that will help you enjoy the summer months to the fullest. Happy cleaning!

As always, if you do run into any issues that require the help of a professional, please don’t hesitate to Contact Your Local Disaster Blaster.  We’re always happy to help!

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