When your doors and windows stay closed for the winter months to keep the warm air inside, you probably don't think about what else is staying indoors with you: dust and dirt. In fact, your carpet is one of the "favorite hangouts" for dust and allergens in your home. Over the long winter months, dust mites and more have probably made their way deep into the fibers of your carpet.
To get rid of the deep-down dirt and stains, one of the most important spring cleaning tasks is to deep clean your carpet. Start the process by vacuuming and then using a pretreater of your choice on touch stains like pet urine or ground-in dirt. Then, use a deep carpet clean such as the Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine ®, as normal making one wet forward and backward pass and a second dry forward and backward pass. Don't own a deep carpet cleaner? Renting is an easy and affordable alternative—learn more about renting here.
Your walls and windows can get quite dirty during the winter, too. Wash the inside and outside of your windows, wipe down the blinds and window frames. Next, dust the walls, as well as baseboards and other trim. Make sure to reach the corners and other hard-to-reach places and use a cleaning formula for any touch stains on your walls. Wipe down light fixtures and ceiling fans, too, to get rid of any wintertime germs that might be lingering.
Spring is a great time to start fresh, so give yourself a few days to get organized. Clean off countertops, empty cabinets that may be filled with junk and reorganize rooms, closets and more. Throw away (or recycle!) papers you no longer need or file them away.
Replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Cleaning your refrigerator and freezer, making sure to get rid of expired food.
Sweeping and mopping under major appliances or furniture.
Is it that time of year again? Get to it—and get ready to enjoy the spring weather!