Housing...Inside and Out

February 11, 2000
Spring Cleaning Tips

The first rule in the annual spring cleaning ritual is to sit down and make a list of what you want to clean. Decide whether you want to clean your carpets; windows, both inside and out; curtains; mattresses or even every piece of upholstery in the home.

Set up a work schedule and make sure it's realistic. Mark off time on your calendar for this cleaning chore.

Next you will need to know what type of equipment is needed to clean your home. Make a complete inventory of what you have available. Decide what types of materials you will need, then draw up an equipment and supply list.

A basic list of cleaning equipment may include a dust pan, a wet mop and a dust mop, pails for cleaning material, a step ladder for safety, brooms, brushes, dusting cloths, sponges, vacuum cleaner, floor polisher and a basket or small carton to carry cleaning supplies from room to room.

As for cleaning materials, the following list may prove helpful: toilet bowl cleaner, floor polisher or wax; rug cleaner; upholstery shampoo; soap or detergent; scouring powder; bleach, vinegar or ammonia; heavy duty household cleaner; disinfectant; and newspapers to protect carpeting and upholstery if you are using cleaners.

While the list may sound extensive and expensive, cleaning does not have to be costly. In some cases baking soda can be used instead of commercial abrasives to clean such things as counter tops.

A homemade solution for cleaning windows is one tablespoon ammonia or vinegar per quart of water.

You do not have to invest in a lot of cleaning supplies. When you do invest in such products, know what job a particular product can do, read the label carefully and make sure it is recommended for what you want it to do.

Each person must also decide his or her own method of cleaning. An easy way to do the cleaning is room by room. Some people on the other hand prefer to clean all the windows inside and then all the windows outside.

If you decide on cleaning room by room it is probably best to remove all the dust first and then tackle the carpets last.

Draperies and curtains last longer if they are cleaned, but they do not have to be laundered to achieve that purpose. An in-between measure of putting them in a dryer con the delicate or tumble cycle for 15 to 20 minutes to remove the excess dust can postpone cleaning.

Window and door screens can be cleaned using a brush and a mixture of household detergent and water. Warm water and a mild soap or detergent will also clean aluminum window frames.

Mildew on bathroom tiles can be prevented by using a chlorine bleach solution that retards mold growth or a mildew retardant spray.

It may or may not be time for you to begin your spring cleaning ritual. After all, spring is a vague concept when it comes to cleaning. Some people do their best cleaning during the winter.


Written by Dr. Francis Graham (Retired)

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