San Diego Spring Cleaning Tips
Spring is almost here, San Diego! If you’ve been huddled inside the house to hide away from the cold, now’s a great time to open those windows and begin thinking about spring cleaning. You may have your normal spring cleaning checklist, but all too frequently homeowners can skip over a few important items.
Here are just a few pointers to get the most out of your spring cleaning from your floors to your shutters, so you can enjoy the best season in San Diego.
Spring Clean Your Windows
It’s common to get out of bed in the middle of March and realize that the less-than-stellar view out your bedroom window isn’t because of winter weather–it’s because of a filthy window. Spring is the perfect opportunity to deep clean your windows. Get that beautiful view back with the following instructions.
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If the window opens, open it all the way and clean out any dirt and dust in the sill. Try first to clean out as much as you can with the track dry, then use warm soapy water and a cloth or brush to clean out the rest. This helps your window operate easier, and ensure your window can completely shut.
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Spray down the window with a glass cleaner. You can use either a store-bought chemical cleaner, or make your own at home using one part vinegar and two parts warm water.
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Clean the windows with a microfiber cloth. These cloths are preferred for cleaning glass and leave fewer streaks.
Don’t Forget to Clean your Window Treatments
A clean glass window is no good if the window treatment isn’t just as clean.
For fabric window treatments such as curtains or draperies, cleaning can be an issue. For thick fabric treatments, take them off the wall and shake them outdoors to get rid of any loose debris, then pop them in the washer and run on cold water and air dry them. For thinner fabrics, you’ll need to handle them more delicately, and wash them by hand in a sink or tub.
Plantation shutters might be the simplest window treatment to clean. Get rid of dust by wiping down with a microfiber cloth or duster. To spot clean, wipe with a slightly wet cloth to remove any stain, then go over with a dry cloth.
Spring is also a great time to think about switching things up with some new window treatments. Take a look at the Sunburst Shutters San Diego Idea Gallery for some inspiration on new window treatments for your home.
Pay Attention to Your Appliances
Your fridge, oven and washing machine are as much pieces of furniture as they are appliances. Particularly with newer appliances such as stainless steel appliances, looks may be equally as important as function. Clean all the nooks and crannies of your appliances, and get them back to the condition they were when you first bought them.
Stainless steel appliances can be polished using a solution made of 1 tsp. dish soap and 1 qt. of warm water, cleaned with a damp cloth and air-dried.
Don’t Neglect a Single Surface
You’re probably going to give your floors and walls some much-needed attention when you do your spring cleaning, but don’t forget to spread some love around to some of the most often neglected surfaces. These are just a couple of the spots that are often forgotten when spring cleaning:
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Any handles or switches that are often touched. These could be on the toilet, on electronics, or anywhere else in your house.
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Various shower surfaces, including the door, base, and soap ledge.
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The tops of your ceiling fan blades.
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Underneath appliances - especially the bigger appliances like your fridge164 and washer/dryer.
