It’s that time of year again! The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the dust bunnies are multiplying like crazy under your bed. Spring cleaning your home is more than just making it sparkle, it’s a critical part of home maintenance. Just like you change the oil in your car or clear out the leaves from your eavestroughs, your home needs an occasional deep clean to keep it running in tip-top shape.
So where do you start when spring cleaning your home? Let’s ask a professional!
“Spring cleaning is a big undertaking and it’s important to make sure you’re really cleaning your home instead of spreading the dirt,” says Debra Johnson, Merry Maids home cleaning expert. “You may have to revamp your supply closet and part with beloved cleaning items you grew up using. We want you to go beyond removing dust and debris, and if your tools are more likely to spread, rather than remove, then it’s time to upgrade your spring cleaning routine.”
To ensure a successful spring cleaning, Johnson shares her expert advice on which cleaning supplies and products are up to the task and which you should leave behind in the closet:
Sponges vs. Microfiber Cloths
Even the cleanest-smelling household sponges can be germ magnets. Since most of us don’t have a microscope and can never fully tell how clean (or dirty, in most cases) sponges are, Johnson recommends that you steer clear of them altogether. Instead, opt for a microfiber cloth. Not only is microfiber better at cleaning surfaces, but it’s also machine washable and quick-drying, which means that microfiber cloths are less likely to hold onto germs. And, if you can’t remember the last time one was washed, wash it before (and after) spring cleaning.
Brooms vs. Vacuums
More often than not, brooms push dirt and dust around, rather than collect it, so skip sweeping and say “goodbye” to your broom. Instead, dust off your vacuum, literally, and get to work. Johnson’s pro tip? Show your vacuum a little TLC before you begin. There’s a strong likelihood you haven’t cleaned the roller brush or changed the HEPA filter since you bought it (which is different than emptying the bin). Ignoring important maintenance can impact the suction of a vacuum, making it less effective at picking up dust and debris, and ultimately leaving a lot behind in its wake (even if you can see vacuum lines in the carpet).
Mops vs. Floor Steamer
While I love my quick spray mops for everyday cleaning, they’re not necessarily the best option when it comes to deep cleaning your floors. Instead, steamers can be a secret weapon in your spring cleaning toolkit, because not only can they remove tough stains off ceramic tile or vinyl flooring, but some can also get hot enough to kill bacteria lingering in hard-to-reach places or tile grout. If your family had a particularly rough cold and flu season, this may be the best way to help rid your home of those germs. In all cases, follow the steamer manufacturer’s directions carefully; and, when in doubt, test an inconspicuous portion of the floor first to ensure the steamer won’t damage the floor. I also love using my steam mop to deep clean the tile in my shower and bathtub!
Brand Name Glass Cleaner vs. Make-It-Yourself Solutions
Not only can retail cleaners and paper towels be expensive, they’re often not as effective as the homemade solution you can make with things like vinegar and rubbing alcohol, and using coffee filters instead of paper towels. Mix one-fourth cup of vinegar with one-fourth cup of rubbing alcohol and a half cup of water, and you’ve got a natural, great-performing solution that, when paired with coffee filters as your cloth, can get your windows streak-free. You can find my favourite HOMEMADE CLEANING RECIPES HERE.
Doing It Yourself vs. Hiring a Professional
A few weeks ago, I hired a professional cleaner to clean my windows. Truth be told, I hate doing windows, but I always thought that hiring someone would be really expensive. On a whim (because I was feeling overwhelmed and short on time), I called and requested a cleaning quote. To my surprise, it was way less than I thought it would be. In just a few short hours (while I got all my grocery shopping done) my windows and screens where perfectly clean and looked better than they ever had before!
I immediately booked that amazing cleaning professional to come back and vacuum under all of my furniture, clean my baseboards and deep clean all of my lighting fixtures. Guess what? The total cost was less than I spend getting my hair done and it was the absolute best gift I could ever have given myself.
So while we can’t all have a professional house cleaner each and every week, I do recommend considering one for your deep down spring cleaning! The only thing that feels better than a perfectly clean and freshly scrubbed home is having someone else do it for you 😉
Treat yourself to a day off while your home gets the spring cleaning that it needs! Find a Merry Maids nearby and have an expert take care of it for you – with pristine cleaning supplies in hand. To find the nearest Merry Maids location, visit MerryMaids.com. Merry Maids can customize a cleaning plan for your home, ensuring a consistent, reliable and thorough cleaning every time.
This post is sponsored by Merry Maids, but all of the thoughts and opinions are truthful and my own.
