Author: Alyssa Craig
After a fall and winter of being cooped up in the house and tracking all sorts of dirt and grime inside, spring is here and it is time to do some cleaning! While some live for this time of year, others find it overwhelming as they look to tackle some deep cleaning. Regardless of your mindset, you will need some great tips on how to make your house sparkle, from top to bottom.
Light Fixtures
Before you get started cleaning all the different light fixtures in your home, be sure to turn off the electricity in whichever room you are in. You can even consider turning off the breaker to ensure safety. While microfiber cloths are mentioned in these tips, dryer sheets are a fantastic alternative.
Chandeliers: If it is small enough, take it down and lay it on a towel. If not, get a secure step ladder to help you reach. Take a picture of the chandelier before you begin so you can replace crystals you may remove. Use a solution made of 1 ounce mild dish soap, ¼ cup white vinegar, and 3 cups of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz each crystal. Let dry and polish with microfiber cloth.
Light bulbs: Wipe down each light bulb with a dry cloth. Do not spray anything on it or use a damp cloth, as it can damage the electronics.
Ceiling Fixture: Take down the fixture and put in a sink full of soapy water. Wash, dry and shine with microfiber cloth. Do NOT put in dishwasher, as the glass can break.
Recessed Lights: Wipe down the outside and inside of the canister with a microfiber cloth or slightly damp rag.
Walls
Before you clean your walls, push your furniture out of the way and put down drop cloths or old sheets to catch soapy drips. Avoid plastic as it becomes slippery and can lead to injury.
Painted Walls
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Use a lamb’s wool duster to remove dust from the walls first. You can also use a broom or vacuum.
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Wash walls from the bottom up to avoid dirt streaks from drying on the walls.
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Dip a sponge into a cleaning solution and use a clean cloth to blot excess liquid.
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Clean the walls from side to side. Be sure to do the whole wall in one session to avoid weird drying streaks.
Wallpaper
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Check the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure you don’t use anything that may damage that particular wallpaper. Be gentle.
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First dust with lamb’s wool and a dry sponge.
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Use a lightly dampened sponge of cleaner to clean the walls.
Doors
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General Tips: Dust first so you do not just move dirt around. Use heavy duty paper towels or a sponge.
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Painted or Stained Doors (such as a front door): Use a furniture wax or polish. Use a diluted solution so it will not strip the paint.
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Indoor Doors: Use a diluted water and dish soap solution to clean these doors.
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Glass Doors: Household glass cleaner can be used in addition to a water and a dish soap cleaning solution.
Windows
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Outside
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Use a long cloth head of a strip applicator.
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Add dishwashing liquid to a bucket of warm water, the less suds the better.
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Clean with a squeegee in a reverse S pattern, wiping the squeegee clean after each stroke on a clean rag.
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Dry off remaining drips with a rag. Wipe down windowsill with a different rag.
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For multi pane windows, a handheld sponge or hog-bristle brush works best. You can also cut squeegees to fit the size of the window panes on your home.
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Inside
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Put down a towel to catch dripping.
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Dust off windows first with a duster or dry cloth.
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Fill a bucket with warm water and small amount of detergent.
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Clean the frames with a sponge, using the cleaning solution in the bucket.
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Drag the sponge of cleaner down and follow it with a squeegee.
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Dry window with a dry cloth.
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Baseboards
The should be done last, as dirt and solution from walls and windows could drip on the baseboards. First vacuum them down to remove excess dust. Use either a Magic Eraser, soap and water, or an all purpose cleaner to clean them. For tricky and hard to reach corners, try using cotton swabs.
As you start cleaning each room in your home, this is also a great time to notice when items in the house are broken and may need to be replaced. Replace light bulbs that have gone out, patch nail holes that are no longer in use, and replace broken blinds with great new window coverings like these. Soon, your house will shine and feel like a breath of fresh air.