Spring Cleaning 101

There are a number of things you can easily do yourself to spruce up your home and get it Spring-season ready. Cleaning those areas that we often forget to clean is a fantastic start.

• Kitchen Cabinets: For as much use as they get, kitchen cabinets are often overlooked in our regular cleaning regimens. One highly-recommended product to help remove that buildup of grease, dust, fingerprints, and other day-to-day grime is Parker & Bailey Kitchen and Cabinet Cream. Not only does it gently remove things like food stains, but it also conditions cabinets to help prevent drying and cracking.
• Refrigerator: A lot of less-than-pleasant kitchen smells can often be traced back to your refrigerator. Check and clean the drip tray underneath your refrigerator and vacuum off any build up of dust and pet hair from your fridge’s coils, usually accessible on the back of your fridge. As for the inside, remove odors by removing all products and cleaning all shelves, nooks, and crannies with warm, soapy water or a mixture of water and baking soda. You can help combat unwanted future odors by putting a container of activated charcoal in your fridge.
• Other Kitchen Appliances: Dishwasher – Clean any food debris from the drain trap inside your machine. With an empty dishwasher, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine and run a hot-water cycle. Microwave – Place a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped up lemon, lime or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar in your appliance and turn the machine on high for several minutes (or until the solution boils and the window is steamy). Let it cool for 15 minutes before opening the door, then remove the bowl and wipe the inside with a sponge. Garbage Disposal – Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then gently pour a cup of white vinegar on top. The mixture will fizzle and bubble. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse it down with very hot or boiling water, with the disposal running. Oven – Spritz burnt-on food with ammonia-based cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda and a few drops of white vinegar on the bottom, let it bubble up, then whisk away the grime with a sponge.
• Walls: Better Homes & Gardens recommends cleaning walls by first vacuuming them with a soft, bristle attachment or wiping them down with a soft cloth. You can further clean latex walls with warm water and a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner, making sure not to use an excessive amount of water. For oil-based paint, substitute above mild cleaner with 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar dissolved in a quart of warm water. Start at the top of the wall to avoid drips. Wash one wall at a time and rinse your cloth or mop head in clean water frequently. Also, don’t press too hard because flat latex paint can absorb too much water.
  Washing Machine: Disinfect a smelly washing machine with distilled white vinegar and baking soda to keep it fresh and high-functioning. Run the machine with hot water, then add the cleaning agents, and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Afterwards, restart your machine, let the water drain, and wipe it dry.
• Bathrooms: Tired of those pesky, hardwater stains ruining your every bathroom surface? Our friends at Bishop Clean Care recommend AMAZ Water Stain Remover, available from Amazon.