There are few rites of spring more satisfying than the annual clean. For many people, however, the pleasure comes only after the work is finished. Your spring cleaning may never become effortless, but you can make the project more manageable -- and even enjoyable. This printable checklist offers an overview of everything you need to know -- including information on cleansers, stain removal, fabric care, and storage -- to zip through the process and arrive at a happy end.
After you read through the tips and techniques, tailor the list to your home and yard. Create a realistic schedule, keeping in mind that a single weekend won't suffice, as you'll need several days for more involved projects, such as shampooing carpets and organizing closets. Whether you prefer to proceed from the attic to the basement or start outdoors and wind your way inside, focus on one task at a time. And be sure to enlist the help of family members.
The information on this checklist was excerpted from "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook" (Clarkson Potter/Publishers; 2006).
The biggest challenge I've found for spring cleaning is to remove the oil stains from my driveway where the cars leak.
I tried pressure washing but that only removed some of the oil. My friend recommended a green cleaner called eXIMO. It's a waterless concrete cleaner that worked well for me and I had never heard of it before.
Here's the link http://mycaf.com/residential/index.php.
I have added cleaning out my bookshelf to the checklist. All the books that I have read or no longer want, I sell them to www.Cash4Books.net. This helps makes space for more and also helps clean my shelves. Great way of recycling too. Someone else will get to enjoy my books.
Just wanted to know if it's too early to think about Spring Cleaning?! http://www.insearchofwaterfalls.com/2012/02/spring-cleaning-911.html
Great fun article on cleaning out and letting go
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/03/the-princess-of-garbage-day/
One of the best sets of cleaning products I have ever used is made by a company called F.A. Seeds' which is based out of Atlanta, Georgia. They make a cleaning set called the Parlor Maid's Helper which is a high quality set of polishes including a wood and silver polish that are the best. Their website is http://www.faseeds.com
+For+SugarKitty+try+Dawn+spray+on+cleaner%2C+it+works+great%21%0A%0AMy+biggest+dilemma+is+how+to+clean+wood+blinds+-+I+have+a+lot+of+them%21%0A%0Aps.+You+can+use+Magic+Eraser+on+most+anything+including+your+bathtub.%0A
+For+SugarKitty+try+Dawn+spray+on+cleaner%2C+it+works+great%21%0A%0AMy+biggest+dilemma+is+how+to+clean+wood+blinds+-+I+have+a+lot+of+them%21%0A%0Aps.+You+can+use+Magic+Eraser+on+most+anything+including+your+bathtub.%0A
Moths are a huge problem in this area. I clean and store woolens in plastic containers, but have moth problems. What really works to prevent moth damage?
When doing your spring cleaning also remember your box spring under your mattress. I turn the box spring also and vacuum it completely..you'd be surprised at the amount of dust it collects.
I have seen it at Save On and Canadian tire
Polished Stars
http://polishedstar.blogspot.com/p/tutus.html
@wordsnob: Is Mother's Choice only available at Canadian Costcos? I can't find it on line and I've never seen it in a Costco in the states, but I may have missed it.
Hey Jescongo, I sent you the file, hope you get it!!
does anyone have a copy of the checklist they can email me, my link isnt working. Jescongo@yahoo.com
thanks
An easy solution that I use to clean blinds is to put them in the bathtub and spray with SPRAY 9. Wait a few minutes and spray them down and viola all shiny and clean.
Yes! I know how to easily clean your vinyl blinds. Put them in the bathtub, or hang them over the shower curtain pole, and spray them with Scrubbing Bubbles foam. Rinse with hot water, and it takes off ALL the dirt, even greasy dirt and marks. Really works amazingly well - also on vinyl lawn furniture in the spring.
To Rupee RE: cleaning vinyl vertical blinds
My suggestion is to take them down and put them in nice warm-hot water in the bathtub. Then I would use the detergent with a soft scrub brush or very rough cleaning pad (not steel wool) to get the dust off. If there are additional marks, try to Magic Eraser. It works on a variety of trouble spots. Hope this helps!
Does anyone have a tip on how to clean vinyl vertical blinds? I know Martha recommended mild detergent and water, but mine are dust laden and it doesn't take all the marks off. thanks!
Bar Keepers Friend cleaner and polish is good on porcelain and stainless cookwear. I use it on the inside of my All Clad cookware. It looks like new afterwards. I used it a couple of weeks ago on the sink in the laundry room. It looked really bad. It was dirty and scratched from plastic buckets. Afterward, my maid asked me what I used because she had trouble in the past making it look good. The can says strainless steel, porcelain, fiberglass, glass cooktops, copper, tile, and brass.
For TeaSea: At Costco, they sell a product called Mother's Choice. It's a pumice-based "puck" of solid surface cleaner in a 500ml container. It doesn't scratch, yet took out the nastiest tea stains that nothing else, even bleach, could take out of my sink. It is completely safe, even for birdie homes. No chemicals or fumes. You can also buy the kit, which is a large bucket of highly concentrated, buttery stuff that you mix with water for all-purpose cleaning. The solid surface puck is incl.
or...hire a maid
I have some serious stains in my bathtub and I've tried everything. I believe the tub's material is acrylic. Any suggestions?
this is so cool! i've never had all this that applies to me written down! i'll try to get it all done, but i don't think it's gonna happen! :)
brilliant! So simple, yet it never crossed my mind to do it that way! Thanks!
To wash window screens, I fill a bathtub about 1"-2" with water and a little dish soap, then place the screen in the tub, swish around a bit and wipe with a brush, flip and repeat then remove the screen lean it against a towel on the side of the tub to air dry, wipe access water off and reinstall screen (mine remove very easily). Happy Spring Cleaning!
For my stainless steel pans. I use vinegar to clean (soak) the insides.
I "wash" the outsides with the same mixture and wipe dry. The "wash"
is half and half.
I use the same mixture for my sink. Good Luck and Happy Spring.
How do you remove permanent marker off of wool?
Re: Green remedy for stains on cookware: On that wet pan, sprinkle the salt, but then use the cut side of a lemon for a scrub brush! Works like a charm, expecially on copper.
When using commercial oven cleaners, be careful not to inhale the fumes. Unfortunately I did, over 30 years ago, and my respiratory system has been troubling me ever since. I would suggest only using it as a last resort.
SUGARKITTY - For a "green" remedy for stains on cookware... on a wet pan, try sprinkling the stain with salt and scrubbing with the scrub side of a scrub sponge. The salt is a mild abrasive that won't scratch and then dissolves, and I find that, with a little elbow grease, it works quite well to remove stubborn stains.
My Miele Vac doesn't seem to blow much dust and sure removes a whole lot more than it must be blowing--we aren't trying to create a "clean room" for the manufacture of micro chips, after all. We're going to have to do it again real soon, right? I say vacuum, using any good vacuum, anyway you like, after using a washable, reusable microfiber dustcloth to capture the dust as much as possible.
JCsmelodie.....When you vaccum, it causes dust to fly up, thus getting on furniture. So vaccum first, then dust !
I'll be right back, I have to go buy a corn broom to get those pesky basement cobwebs. Oh wait... maybe the vacuum with the extension wand will work...
Regaring the "dusting down" theory, think of it this way. If you start at the top (ceiling, then walls) the dust that flies falls to the floor.Then you only have to dust the floor (or vacuum) once. Saves steps.
I agree with my fellow "Stewart " followers here. The checklist is great, but when dusting, one doesn't need to SPREAD the dust and allergens. INSTEAD of a feather duster, use one of the dust catching products - you know the brands I mean. And there are so many GREEN products out there to clean with - we all need to pitch in the wellness of our homes and planet. I believe it's time for the list to be updated.
I have discovered that Ceramabrite cleans stains off my stainless cookware. It is typically used for ceramic cook tops to clean and protect the surface.
BTW:why 's it when I dust down
A list of green cleaning products made from inexpensive ingredients such as vinegar, etc would be great to have linked to this list; in addition to contributors' approved products. Haven't tried the bubbles, always use that pine smelling stuff. Cleaning overall is bad haiku for me. :-)
I am a BIG fan of scrubbing bubbles. It works extremely well on laminate kitchen cabinets. Mine are white and really show the dirt and grease build up from cooking. A light spray and 10 minutes later I rinse with clear water and have bright clean cabinets. I also use it on baseboards and window sills.
OK, I MUST propound this newly acquired wisdom, and I do it simply, as a haiku:
Ah, Scrubbing Bubbles!
You get the funk off my stuff
Everthing so clean
Yes, foaming bathroom cleaner is good for a multitude of cleanings, like my kitchen cabinets (and walls), just test in an inconspicuous area so you don't remove paint from something. . .like I did, but with oven cleaner, which has more limited uses. I feel another haiku coming on:
Easy-Off Cleaner
Cleans the gunk from my oven
But burns my skin off
Time to get back to work,eh?
Thanks , sometiimes I do not know where to start . This gives me guidance Thanks again. I love this web site. I'm new to this site.
Spray oven cleaner can be used on stainless, glass, and baked enamel pans to make them spotless. I spray then leave mine overnight. Do not use on aluminum. It will ruin the finish.
cont'd:
SugarKitty: Steel wool leaves microscopic ridges behind that are places for bacteria to live, so they're a bad idea. Bon Ami is commonly used by serious dishwashers, since it's very fine and makes things look like new without scouring. Also, I've used brass
I have beautiful stainless steel cooking pans. They have cooked on stains on the bottom from something cooking over. But I cannot find any sure way to get and keep them shiny. Some of the scouring pads scratch the finnish. What would you recommend. Please send along of name brands that you recommend, because this is driving me crazy.
Is there a homekeeping handbook in Spanish?
For my bridal shower, my mother gave me the Homekeeping Handbook and I have used it everyday to figure out everything from buying our mattress and setting up our home to cleaning every inch of our house. I have never felt so domestic and satisfied with cleaning.
I highly recommend this book, "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook" for lots of organized charts for cleaning every room.