{"id":12764,"date":"2023-04-18T07:38:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T13:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shieldagency.com\/blog\/?p=12764"},"modified":"2023-04-12T09:00:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T15:00:50","slug":"22-spring-cleaning-and-decluttering-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shieldagency.com\/blog\/22-spring-cleaning-and-decluttering-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Spring Cleaning and Decluttering Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nationwide | January 20, 2021 | Spring Cleaning | Home Insurance<\/a> | Start your insurance quote today!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring Cleaning time has arrived \u2013 which means it\u2019s time to get your home in tip-top shape. A good, deep spring clean-up is a tradition that not only promotes wellness by keeping your environment clean and organized, but it also helps carry the fresh-start feeling brought on by a new year well into the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve compiled some of the best DIY spring cleaning tips so you can declutter and deep clean your house to make it sparkle all year round.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Remove water stains with lemon for a natural faucet fix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This spring, make faucets clean and sparkly by rubbing a lemon half on the water stains. The citric acid helps remove hard water marks. Then, use the other half of the lemon for our next tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Spring Cleaning your microwave by heating lemon juice and rinds in water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cut a lemon into halves, squeeze the juice into 1\/2 cup of water, and drop the rinds into the mixture. Microwave for three minutes and let it stand for five minutes without opening the door. The trapped steam will loosen the grime, so you can\u00a0wipe the microwave clean<\/a>\u00a0with less elbow grease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Use white vinegar to beat shower head buildup for Spring Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more natural\u00a0ways to clean your bathroom<\/a>? Vinegar can dissolve the mineral deposits that accumulate in showerheads over time, causing reduced pressure and water flow. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band, and leave it overnight to get rid of buildup. Just be sure to run the shower before you hop in, or you risk smelling like vinegar all day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Spring Cleaning stainless steel sinks with baking soda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply wet your sink and faucet, sprinkle baking soda, and scrub with a sponge. If you need more heavy-duty scrubbing power, add salt to the baking soda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Use newspaper to clean dirty windows and mirrors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mix \u00bc cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the glass and scrub with newspaper for a streak-free window or mirror. The ink acts as a mild abrasive and allows you to make use of old newspapers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Organize your fridge and cabinets with rotating turntables<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t limit rotating turntables and Lazy Susans to your tabletops. After discarding old condiments and spices, organize your pantries and refrigerator with this useful storage hack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Place a wet dryer sheet on your ceramic stovetop to remove burnt-on residue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dryer sheets are non-abrasive and a great way to remove burnt-on food from your stove. Place the wet dryer sheet on your stovetop at least 15 minutes before rubbing the gunk away. Follow these tips to clean your oven<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Spring Cleaning your grill with an onion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get your grill cleaned up and ready for the warm weather. First, heat it up and spray some white vinegar onto the grates to help loosen the residue. Then, scrub the area firmly using half an onion. The acid from the onion will rid your grill of any leftover remnants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Let coffee filters do more than put a spring in your step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Does your TV screen or computer monitor show fingerprints, smudges, and dust? The fiber in coffee filters is gentle enough to rub them away, even on delicate TV screens. Just don\u2019t press too hard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Unpack and stack your spring\/summer clothes vertically<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are your dresser drawers a mess? Instead of putting away folded clothes flat, stack them vertically for easy access. You can stack your clothes inside shoeboxes to keep tidy rows inside your drawers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Use cream of tartar to clean toasters and tea kettles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Combine 1 tsp of cream of tartar with just enough water to create a milky paste. Rub the solution onto your stainless steel appliances and wipe away to reveal their original shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Know your couch or rug before spring cleaning it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t ruin your upholstered furniture by using the wrong cleaner. Not all manufacturer labels state what type of solvent to use. Familiarize yourself with the cleaning codes below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upholstery Cleaning Labels<\/strong>:
W:<\/strong> Use water-based cleaning solutions.
S:<\/strong> Use dry-cleaning solvents. Do not saturate. Do not use water.
S-W<\/strong>: Use water-based cleaners or dry-cleaning solvents.
X:<\/strong> Use a vacuum or brush only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Use a window squeegee to scrape pet hair from your carpet or rug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The rubber edge of the squeegee is a great tool for gripping and removing pet hair from your rug. Use a firm grip and make sure to clean up the excess hair as you go. Finish by running the vacuum to catch any hair still on the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Avoid scratching floors by placing clean towels under furniture while rearranging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking to freshen up your home by rearranging furniture? Slide heavy pieces like couches and tables easily and without damage by placing folded, clean towels under each end of the furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Use Velcro strips to keep drawer organizers in place<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attach the grippy strips to one end of your drawer and the other to your drawer organizers. This keeps the organizers in place but lets you remove them when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Put the spring back in your dirty keyboards with cotton swabs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If certain keys or sticking, or your entire keyboard just doesn\u2019t have the same pop that it used to, chances are dirt and crumbs are the culprits. Sweep cotton swabs between your keys to dislodge dust and grime. And for a real deep clean, use compressed air to blast away any leftover dust, and follow it up with one more sweep through your keys, this time using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill germs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. Use a dustpan to help fill a large mop bucket<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not all mop buckets fit in bathtubs or sinks. If your bucket is too large, try using a dustpan as a spout by placing it flat on your sink to transfer water to the bucket. This handy hack is also helpful for other large containers you want to fill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. Use a butter knife to clean air vents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let that dust build-up for another minute; use a butter knife to reach those tough get places between and behind your vents. Simply wrap the knife in a rag and wipe it between the slats. Then, open the windows and run your central air to fill your home with fresh spring air (just be sure your heat or AC isn\u2019t on while you\u2019re running the fan).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. Wrap a towel over a broom to clean hard-to-reach places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cobwebs and dust can collect in room corners and on ceiling fans. Wipe them away by securing a towel over the bristle end of a broom with a large rubber band. The dust and cobwebs stick to the cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20. Recycle old socks to use as dusting mitts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cotton is a great fabric for trapping dust particles. Try using a (clean) pair of socks as dust mitts and you\u2019ll have more control over where dust goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21. Spring Cleaning also means to Declutter your home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019ve been hibernating throughout the winter and piling on the sweaters and blankets, there\u2019s a good chance that clutter\u2014and your lists of chores\u2014have been piling up as well. Start small \u2013 don\u2019t try to attack your entire house at once. Think about clearing one room, or even one closet, at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this is complete, sort it out. Go through your space and separate your belongings into categories. Determine the things you will keep on hand, store for later, sell, donate, or throw away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22. Organize and freshen up for Spring Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve cleared out the clutter, give your home some much-needed TLC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n