6 essential tasks for a stripped-down spring cleaning
A century or two ago, spring cleaning was less of a tradition and more of a necessity. “In a time when people heated their houses with coal or wood, not only was there more dirt on everything after winter, there were limited options for cleaning things up,” says historian Susan Strasser, author of “Never Done: A History of American Housework.” (Vacuum cleaners and automatic clothes washers weren’t in common household use until the middle of the 20th century.)
The arrival of warmer weather still hastens a full house cleaning for many people, but it doesn’t have to. If a top-to-bottom spring cleaning isn’t a priority for you for whatever reason, experts say you can use the season to knock out a few once-ayear tasks. And if you can only get to one or two of them, don’t sweat it there’s always summer.
Clean baseboards and ledges
Seasonally dusting and scrubbing baseboards and ledges - which many people forget to do on a more regular basis - can keep grime and particles from spreading to the floor and other parts of your home. “I vacuum them first, then wipe them down with a mild cleaning solution,” says Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama. “When my children were little, I even had them help by running baby wipes over them.” Oh, and before you scour the bottom of your walls, “knock any cobwebs from the ceiling with a broom covered in a clean T-shirt,” says Rapinchuk.
Tackle your kitchen countertops
No matter how diligent you are about cleaning up after making dinner or morning coffee, stoves throw off grease, and food leaves crumbs and particles. Dana K. White of A Slob Comes Clean recommends throwing anything that’s been out all winter knickknacks, spoon rests, empty salt shakers - in the dishwasher. “I even run the cutlery tray from my silverware drawer through, and it makes a visual difference,” she says.
Get porches and patios in shape
If you cover your deck furniture and store porch sofa cushions in a protected place during the winter, you’ll have a head start on spring cleaning your outdoor entertaining spaces. Then, attack surfaces (porch floors, deck rails) where dirt, leaves or other detritus have accumulated with a wet/dry vacuum or broom, followed by a wipe down with a wet rag or a rinse from the garden hose. “And I love my power washer for outdoor cleaning,” says White. “I use a Ryobi that’s about the size of two shoe boxes. It’s great for a quick touch up.”
Put away winter clothes
Consider starting with a rolling rack, which is what professional organizers often use for a wardrobe clean out. “They’re a terrific way for you to take everything out of your closet and actually see what you have,” says Jane Abrahams, co-owner of Jane’s Addiction Organization. “You can use the rack to determine what you want to keep for next season and to store out-ofseason clothes in an attic or basement.”
Whether you hang or fold cold weather clothes for storage, be sure to Cleaning continues on 13