18 Ways to Freshen Every Room for Spring
Think of this as your ultimate cleaning checklist: Easy ways to get your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, laundry room, and patio in tip-top shape for spring.
Kitchen
1. De-Smudge Windows
A simple mixture of two parts water to one part white distilled vinegar is all you need for a streak-free finish on windows and glass surfaces. Wipe the inside of windows from side to side, and the outside of windows from top to bottom.
2. Clean Around and Inside Appliances
Sanitize your dishwasher by placing a shallow dish of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it (empty) on a long sanitation cycle to kill fungi.
3. Create a Natural Air Freshener
Whip up a room deodorizer on the stovetop by simmering orange rinds or lemon slices and rosemary in a pot of water. The scent will freshen your space.
Plus:How to keep white carpeting bright and clean »
Bathroom
4. Clean Your Counter
Organizer MaryJo Monroe of Respaced says those little bottles of lotions and potions are dust-catchers. "If you're not using them, give them away or throw them out. If you do use them, find a storage system to hold and organize them in your bath."
5. Neaten Up Your Medicine Cabinet
Throw away any medicines or health and beauty items with expired dates. Many personal care products deteriorate after six months.
6. Go Through Old Linens
If your towels, rugs, and shower curtain are looking shabby or worn, it might be time to donate them and replenish your supply with fresh ones. Organizer Michelle Paxton of The Organizer Gal says it's smart to invest in products such as containers, racks, shelves, or drawers for extra storage in a small bath.
Bedroom
7. Purge
Remove everything from your bedroom that doesn't serve you-books you've read or don't intend to read, clothes you don't like, magazines, newspapers, and more.
8. Launder Bedding
Dry clean or launder the heavy comforter on your bed, store it and replace with a lighter blanket. Swap your heavy bed sheets for lighter sheets and store the rest. Wash linens in hot water to kill allergens. Invest in a new odor-eliminating, anti-bacterial mattress pad.
9. Get Rid of Dirt
Dust everything from the top town. Start with cleaning walls and the ceiling fan, move to baseboards, and finally sweep up all dust.
Living Room
10. Wash Textiles
Vacuum upholstery and launder curtains. Update furniture with slipcovers-one of the simplest tools for refreshing a room. Shop for light or neutral slips that are machine washable. Sure Fit slipcovers are treated with Scotchgard protector to keep colors stains at bay.
11. Clean Carpets
Send out the rugs for a professional cleaning. For wall-to-wall carpet, consider hiring a pro for deep cleaning and stain removal.
12. Cut Down on Paper
Magazines and newspapers create clutter in living spaces and collect dust. Store them in a basket until you're done with them, and donate magazines to a hospital or library.
Plus:7 budget-savvy bathroom tips »
Laundry Room
13. Maintain Washer & Dryer
Pull out the washer and dryer. Vacuum the backside of each appliance with a brush attachment to remove dirt and dust, says Steve Ash of partselect.com. Wipe down the top and sides of the appliances with an all-purpose cleaner.
14. Clean Inside of Washing Machine
Run the washing machine cycle with distilled white vinegar and hot water. This will get rid of any mildew and soap scum.
15. Wipe Down Iron
Clean the plate of the iron with a baking soda and water paste to remove any build-up from spray starch. Check the condition of your ironing board and board cover and replace if needed.
Porch and Patio
16. Check Boards
Give the deck boards a good look. Raised nails can be pounded back in. If the floor is in disrepair, take time to replace rotting boards and to scrape, sand, and refinish existing boards.
17. De-Grime Screens
If you have a screened in porch, vacuum the screens to remove dirt and allergens. Fill a bucket with soapy water and wipe down the screens using a sponge.
18. Plant Flowers
Add plants. Buy planters and flowers to welcome the season and add a little color. Fill window boxes with bloomers.
See more from CountryLiving.com:
Our Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Decorating »
40 Amazing Before-and-After Home Makeovers »
70+ Living Room Design Ideas You'll Love »
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
