SPRING 2021 CLEANING TIPS: 5 HACKS FOR A SPIC AND SPAN CLEAN HOME

The concept of “spring cleaning” exists for a reason—there’s something about the warmth and sunshine of springtime that inspires people to get their homes fresh and clean. Part of SimpleCoat’s philosophy is bringing you easy, simple solutions to the modern homemaker’s problems, and in that spirit, we’re bringing you five spring cleaning hacks for a spic and span home.

1. Protect Your Kitchen

While bathrooms get a bad rap, kitchens actually carry the most harmful bacteria in a home. This makes properly cleaning your kitchen imperative.

Begin by cleaning your kitchen surfaces with a mild soap and water solution (don’t put soap directly on the surface). Skip the sponge, which accumulates bacteria and spreads it around countertops. Instead, wash everything down with a rag that you can put through the washing machine afterward. This step is often sufficient to eliminate most bacteria, germs and viruses. But if  you want to take an extra step to disinfect, make sure you use a sanitizer that’s safe for your countertop material—for example, bleach is a no-no on natural stone. 

To keep countertops cleaner for a longer period of time, use a nontoxic sealer and protector that penetrates the surface and keeps bacteria from proliferating. 

2. Open Up Your Room to Light

Over 9,000 species of microbes live in the average American home. This includes fungus and bacteria but doesn’t consider things like dirt, cobwebs, and dust mites that can build up. Opening your blinds for the spring sunshine may shed light on serious dust accumulation. To clean it, begin at the top of the room and move down.

Microfiber cloths create a magnetic effect as they contain negatively charged nylon fibers and positively charged polyester fibers that attract dust. This makes them excellent for wiping down corners, walls, ceiling fans, window sills and living room furniture. After dusting, vacuum carpets and use a dust mop on hardwood floors and tile to remove dust particles from your space.

3. Flush All Drains

Clogs and stagnant water in drain lines can create a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in a perfect opportunity for foul odors to emanate and make kitchens and bathrooms smell dirty. Soap and water alone will not wash all germs down the drain. One nontoxic and easy way to eliminate odors coming out of drain lines is to  run hot water and slowly pour distilled vinegar down sinks and showers. If clogs are contributing to the issue, use a drain snake to remove them or call in a plumber. 

Once drains are clear, make fixtures and faucets sparkle by applying a multipurpose sealer and protectant that keeps water spots and smudges at bay.

4. Clean Your Air

The air quality in your home is important to not only the overall feeling of cleanliness, but also your health. Dirty, dusty air in your home can contribute to and exacerbate respiratory issues and allergies, but luckily, improving air quality is easy. Spring is the perfect time to open up all of the windows and allow stagnant air to flow out. After that, replace your air conditioner filter regularly to trap allergens, dust and other things like pet hair. 

5. Don't Forget the Fireplace

After a long winter that called for many cozy fires, soot and dust can build up in your chimney and fireplace. Hire a professional to clean out the flue in spring to eliminate any lingering smoky odors and take the pressure off prepping for the next cold season. 

ENJOY YOUR HOME MORE WITH SPRING CLEANING

Use these spring cleaning tips to feel great about your home, and get back to what you really want to do—spending time outside in the long-awaited sunshine!