Find Bliss as You...Deep Clean Your House?

Let's not beat around the bush: A thorough house cleaning is a daunting project. It can't be done in an hour or even three. It's drudgerous, annoying and requires quite a lot of elbow grease.

Yet, isn't there something downright cathartic about expending all that energy and accomplishing something major like creating a totally spotless home?


In recent years, moreover, we've discovered that there are some tricks to making it rather--gasp-- enjoyable! That's right. We said it. Deep clean your house and find inner bliss while you're doing the deed. There are a couple of ways of achieving this.


One is background noise. Binge watch (with half an eye) a television show you don't care much about and that doesn't require a lot of focus and attention. Blast a cleaning playlist chock full of all your favorite tunes--with or without headphones. Keep a glass of red wine handy and take little sips in between big accomplishments like cleaning underneath the stove.


When you're down on the floor making like a yogi to get to those grimy baseboards, think of it as an arm-toning, ab-crunching workout. You will probably feel it in your body the next day, so we say hardcore scrubbing definitely counts as exercise.


Now that you've got a sense of how to make the spring deep clean at least mildly pleasant, you just need to figure out how to make it successful, too!
Follow these ten deep-cleaning must-dos:

1. Scour Crevices
Blinds, with all their nooks and crannies, are especially subject to hidden dust and dirt. You might not notice the grime on a daily basis, but when you commit to a deep cleaning, it's essential to get to all your window treatments from top to bottom.

2. Tall Orders
Shelves that are above eye level are often eluded by regular dusting. When you engage in a rigorous spring clean, however, it's important to clear shelves of all items and wipe them down with a cleaner. A cursory dusting is fine for a daily or weekly job but not when you're trying to whip your house into a serious state of cleanliness.

3. Scrub the Washer
In spite of the constant rush of suds and water, the washing machine actually requires a manual cleaning to ensure continued productivity. One of our authors got down to it and shared the secret.

4. Over, In and Under
The reason why we tend to cringe when we hear the words "deep cleaning" is because the process undoubtedly requires more work. Wiping on and around kitchen appliances won't do here; nope, you've got to lift and maneuver everything from the microwave to the entertainment center to do it right.

5. Bend for Baseboards
Sure, you washed and bleached the floors and the corners. You even got under the oven and beneath the fridge, but what about those baseboards? Over time, they become home to all sorts of grime and typically get overlooked because quite frankly, they're a pain in the butt to clean. Fortunately, once they're scrubbed spotless, you can avoid them for a while.

6. Carpet Deep Clean
Letting the professionals take on this substantial job (depending on how carpeted your home is), allows you to be off the hook. In the interim between cleanings, however, you'll want to keep on top of regular vacuuming and stain-lifting should the kids make a spill.

7. Wax On
Non-wood floors such as vinyl and linoleum surfaces can quickly be spruced up with a special polish designed for that particular texture. A regular washing won't have the same effect as a deep waxing.

8. Air Out Upholstery
If you're having a professional come in to shampoo the carpets, consider getting them to do the same with any furniture that can handle a wash. For smaller cushions and pillows, try beating them by hand outside to rid them of dust and then take a vacuum (on the proper setting) to the pieces.

9. Clean it Out Like the washing machine, your family's dishwasher requires a solid cleaning as well. Running it with dishes and detergent won't get the inside looking--or smelling--fresh. After you've grabbed all the bits of food, you can run it on hot with two cups of vinegar before you subject it to further dishwashing.

10. Leave No Linen Untouched
In order to feel like you've really gotten to the heart of things, you've simply got to wash all of the linens and area rugs--blankets, duvet covers, pillow shams--in your home. Also, while you're at it, get the curtains dry-cleaned too!

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