If you’ve only just got a taste of the better weather, you might be opening up your windows for the first time this week. Milder days mean we can get fresh air in without freezing the whole house! It also means we can tackle that deep clean we’ve been putting off. The extra airflow gets rid of the stale odors and will tackle any dampness. When you’re wetting surfaces to clean them, you need the windows open so they can dry again.
Of course, we’re all strapped for time. How deep does a deep clean need to be anyway? If you tend to do this just once or twice a year, then it’s worth going all out to freshen the whole house. You don’t have to do it all this weekend. Pick a room a week. It should only take a couple of hours if you have help repaint the walls or touch up cupboards too!
Start with the dirtiest corners of the room. It’s strange how the muckiest bits are the areas we never use! Behind the sofa, down the back of the cabinet, and in between the sofa cushions are often the worst places. Always start by vacuuming as this can remove the dust, crumbs, and other dirt. It will also help you identify any potential pest problems. If you have got a pest problem, make a note of what you’ve seen and where, clean everything thoroughly, and call the pest control service.
Skirting or kick boards need little more than a wipe down with a damp cloth and a mild solution of cleaning liquid. This can give a nice fresh scent, too. Carpets can be washed with special washers or shampooers, or you can simply steam the surface to kill any bacteria. Hardwood floors come up best after a thorough vacuum and steam clean. Some demand a waxy polish to bring out the color. Check with your supplier.
Once you’ve got everything clean, it might be worth inviting a company like h2pdx.com to visit and check for any pollutants or problems that cleaning alone won’t solve. Having extra tests on your home will help ease your mind that you’ve done a great job and nothing else is going to harm your young family. Your next challenge will be the yard!
If you have a lawn, chances are you’ve not tended to it much yet this winter. Mowing is tough work, and the unusually wet weather has made it tricky to do any gardening. Of course, spring is the best time of year in the garden. All those beautiful bulbs and blossoms that last only a couple of weeks are in full bloom right now. When they’re over, you’ll have to clear them away, choke the weeds, and get ready for summer!
Your deep clean can be as deep as you like or as deep as you can manage. Having a clean house to show off certainly makes it all worthwhile. What’s your least favorite cleaning task?
