Spring Cleaning!

With our busy lives day to day, we never realize just how much clutter and grime can build up in our homes. With spring in the air, now is a better time than ever to clean and refresh your home just the way you always intended! Efficiency is key here, so be sure to start with a list and prioritize from room to room, or even by project. With this timeline, you’ll be able to stay on track and the task won’t seem so daunting.

Begin with the kitchen cabinets. Organize your items into four groups by emptying out every cabinet and diving them into these four groups: keep, relocate, donate, or toss. Clean and wipe down shelves and doors, and use a vacuum for all those nooks and crannies. For the items you’ve decided to keep, be sure to dust and clean them.

On to the pantry, check expiration dates of all the foods, and if the packages are well sealed so that they do not diminish. If you have an abundant amount of canned foods, consider donating them to a local food bank.

Clean and disinfect your sink (and don’t forget to use the correct product for the type of sink you have.) Clean and shine the faucet, and clean/deodorize your disposal. 

When cleaning your oven, be sure to use the appropriate product for the appliance you have in your home. If your oven is the self-cleaning type, use the clean cycle, and once it’s cooled down, wipe the inside of the oven down thoroughly, including the racks. 

The stove and the hood are typically next on the list, after your oven. Clean the exterior of the hood and remove the exhaust filter to clean it. Be sure to soak the exhaust filter in very hot, soapy water, then clean with a scrubbing brush and rinse/dry thoroughly. Sometimes, your filters can be placed in the dishwasher (be sure to check the manual before doing so.) When cleaning your stove, start by taking removable parts off like the knobs and the grates, then wash or soak in hot water. Clean and shine the surface of the stove with a safe product that won’t scratch. Sometimes, using a soft cloth to clean is all you need.

For the dishwasher, clean and shine the outside panel, and wipe the edges to remove food particles. Add ¼ cup of bleach to a dish cycle to clean and kill the bacteria that is inside your dishwasher.

Like the pantry, remove everything from your refrigerator and toss the old, expired foods. Don’t forget that you should make a shopping list of what foods need to be replaced if expired. Clean the shelves and the bins with warm, soapy water and then organize the items back the way you want them. To absorb odors, place a new box of baking soda inside the fridge and have it opened.

When cleaning a room, always clean the floors last. Vacuum what you can and be sure that before you start, the vacuum has a fresh bag or clean canister. Always be sure your floors are dry before replacing any rugs.

We get it, closets can be extremely overwhelming. Evaluate your space for functionality and decide if you need to move or add shelves, or a bar for hanging clothes. Make a list and plan for any type of modifications. Categorize the contents of your closet as you go, and put them in four groups: keep, relocate, donate, or toss. Vacuum, dust, and replace only the items you want to keep. 

Finally, the least fun area of the house to clean, the bathroom. Clean ceilings and walls so mold doesn’t form, scrub the shower walls and floors with the right bathroom cleaner, then thoroughly rinse and dry. If your shower curtain has seen better days, update the look with a new one. Polish the shower head, the knobs, and the drain, then clean under the sink and medicine cabinets. Dispose of old medications correctly. Then polish mirrors, glass, and faucets, and clean the sink and toilet. Finally, always keep cleaning products and tools available in the bathroom so that it’s easy to touch-up and clean daily. 

For more tips, check out our Pinterest Page – Nissou Realty.

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,

Stephen Nissou

Nissou Realty Group   |   Keller Williams Realty
Direct: 619-250-4541 |   Office: 619-873-2772
Stephen@StephenNissou.com
www.StephenNissou.com

CalBRE # 01443193