From Good Housekeeping
Its that time again to purge, clean, and get organized. But before you let out that big sigh, know that spring cleaning doesnt have to be the knock-down, drag-out weeklong blitz it used to be. If you ask Carolyn Fort, Director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab in the Good Housekeeping Institute, her approach to this annual to-do is decidedly can-do:
Focus on things you dont normally do so that you feel like youre getting the benefit of a deeper cleaning like pulling furniture away from the walls and really getting into the nooks and crannies, she says. If I dont have a few days to tackle the whole house at once, I break it down room by room [so] even small efforts give me a big feeling of accomplishment.
Fort recommends starting your sprucing-up efforts on the largest surfaces in your house, from wood floors to bathroom tile. Here are her tried-and-true tips for deep-cleaning each one.
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Polyurethane-sealed, finished hardwood floors are easy to take care of, especially if you keep up with them year-round. The most important thing is that you dont over-wet the wood, so skip the traditional mop and bucket that just push dirty water around your floors.
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To spring-clean bathrooms, youre really just doing a more in-depth job than your daily maintenance. And an ounce of prevention really goes a long way; thats why Fort wipes down her shower every morning. Tile floors and walls are great because theyre durable and easy to clean, she says. Grout is the more challenging thing. You actually dont want to use anything too sudsy because it can leave a residue behind, dulls shine, and more easily attracts future soil, so it doesnt stay as clean as long. Instead, use something like Soft Scrub Gel Cleanser with Bleach.
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Unlike easygoing hardwood and durable tile, natural materials like granite, marble, travertine, and slate are inherently porous and prone to stains. To avoid etching or discoloration, blot up spills ASAP. Steer clear of abrasive cleaners, ammonia, and even lemon juice and vinegar which may seem friendly enough, but arent safe on every surface.
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Carpet is one of the first things people see when they come into your home, so cleaning around doorways and chairs makes a major difference, she says. Now is when to deep clean and remove stains in those high-traffic aisles in your home. In general, the cleaner you keep your area rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting, the longer theyll last. So try to remove stains as soon as they happen.
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Cleaning windows is a big thing for me they make such an impact. Fort loves her newer tilt-ins for effortless cleaning, but even with traditional single-hung windows, its possible to get the job done to her spotless standards.
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