Despite the snow on the ground, it is indeed Spring! With warmer weather on the way (hopefully), here are some tips to refresh your home.
THE KITCHEN
Seal Countertops
◊ Granite is semi-porous, so it needs to be sealed once a year.
◊ Marble is extremely porous and needs to be sealed several times a year.
◊ Quartz is has been crushed and man-made into slabs, so it does not require any sealing nor much maintenance.
Cabinets and Pantries
◊ Throw away expired foods and donate canned/non-perishables you won’t use.
◊ Put most-used items in front, least-used in back or on the top shelf.
◊ Ready for new cabinets? Our kitchen designers will help you incorporate specially-tailored drawers, pull-out shelves, and other custom features that make your kitchen more functional.
◊ Not ready for a complete overhaul? Re-facing cabinets is a simple DIY project! Sand them down, and then pick your favorite stain or paint. For non-wood cabinets, apply a bonding primer and paint.
The Dreaded Tupperware Drawer
◊ Go through and throw away those lonely lids and containers.
◊ Recycle stained and damaged ones.
Upgrade
◊ Install USB outlets to create a charging station. Charge all your electronics in one place!
◊ Replace ugly wall outlets and light switches with trendy options from Legrand.
Lighting
◊ Add a strip of lights underneath or above wall-hung cabinets or even underneath toe kicks for accent lighting. You can even make it change color for a cool effect when hosting friends and family!
◊ Stop into Green Art and pickup one of our handy-dandy Lighting Planning Guides!
Check out our Interview with the Kitchen Designers for more kitchen remodeling tips!
THE BATH
Tubs & Shower Doors
◊ Break out the bleach and elbow grease! You’ll want to scrub the base of the tub/shower and the wall tiles. Mildew, be gone!
◊ Clean off excess soap scum from soap dishes and shampoo bottle caddies.
◊ Replace plastic shower curtain liners and shower mats.
◊ You deserve better – wash or replace those old bath mats and step out of the shower onto comfort! Your little piggies will thank you.
Stay Healthy
◊ Mold can cause breathing problems and other health issues. If you think you have mold and you’re not sure how to remove it, hire a professional.
◊ Replace your toothbrush or brush head. This should be done every month or so.
Toilets
◊ Use disinfecting products to clean inside and around the toilet.
◊ Don’t forget to clean behind the toilet… or upgrade to a wall-mounted one for easier cleaning!
Vanities
◊ Throw away old personal hygiene and beauty products. If you have extra unused products, donate them to a local charity or homeless shelter.
◊ Is it messy underneath the sink? Transfer everything into small baskets to keep everything contained for optimal organization.
◊ Need a new vanity? Try tailored vanities that provide specialized compartments for hair tools and have integrated outlets.
THE HOME
Dresser and Closet
◊ Swap out your Winter wardrobe for Spring fashion.
◊ Organize your clothes by color. The aesthetically pleasing view will calm your mind.
◊ Fold clothes and line them up vertically in your drawers (instead of stacking them horizontally flat) to easily see all of your options.
◊ Turn all hangers around. As you wear each item of clothing, put it back in facing the other way. This will show you what you actually wear and what you can get rid of.
◊ When you’re done…
Donate
◊ Clothes and shoes that you don’t wear anymore.
◊ Many organizations will accept lightly-used furniture and other items.
Floors
◊ Swiffer WetJet is great for tile, laminate, and wood floors.
◊ Vacuum all carpets. Get those hard-to-reach spots under desks and couches. Don’t forget the corners!
◊ Vacuum/shake out all rugs and mats.
◊ Shampoo carpets and rugs for extra cleanliness.
◊ Stain hardwood floors for a fresh look.
Dust
◊ Remove all items from shelves and give them a once-over.
◊ Dust behind TVs, computers, and other electronics and furniture.
◊ Don’t forget the ceilings – those cobwebs won’t get rid of themselves!
◊ Crack open your iPhone case and you’ll probably see dust. What you won’t see are the germs. Use rubbing alcohol to clean and disinfect (and not damage) your mobile phone.
◊ Use a special duster to get that stubborn pet hair. On that note…
Groom Pets
◊ Give them a bath with some pet-safe shampoo.
◊ Use a special brush for pet hair to prevent it from ending up around your home – and on you!
◊ Take your fur baby to the groomer for a fresh trim.
Bookshelves
◊ After dusting the shelves, organize books or DVDs in alphabetical order or by genre, color, or size.
Dryer Vent
◊ Accumulations of lint and other debris can cause a fire so be sure to clean that dryer vent. Hire a local professional to get it done if you don’t want to tackle that project yourself.
Bedding
◊ Flip your mattress for some fresh comfort.
◊ Change and wash your sheets. This should be done every week or so.
◊ If your sheets or blankets contain cartoon characters, it may be time to buy some new ones.
Basement/Garage
◊ Go through all storage areas: Basement, garage, shed, etc.
◊ Host a yard sale or donate items to make space.
◊ There are apps and online marketplaces where you can sell your items.
Windows
◊ You may have Windex’d the interior, but when was the last time you cleaned the outside of your windows?
◊ Wipe down windowsills and the area between the screen and glass.
Lighting
◊ Make your home safer by installing accent lighting on stairs.
◊ Replace bulbs with energy-saving LED or CFL bulbs.
◊ Stop into Green Art and pick up one of our handy-dandy Lighting Planning Guides!
Outdoors
◊ Add lighting to walkways and other areas that are dark at night.
◊ Clear the garden of snow and debris and start planning what to plant. Some vegetables – such as beets, kale, onions, lettuce, and potatoes – should be planted outside in April. Others – such as basil, parsley, and tomatoes – should start growing indoors and transplanted outdoors in May.
◊ Cut out dead grass, sprinkle seed, and water daily for it to regrow in time for warm weather.
◊ Clear gutters of leaves and debris.
Have any other recommendations for Spring Cleaning?
COMMENT BELOW!
