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As spring approaches, thoughts turn to warmer weather, longer days and how long
the house will stay clean after spring cleaning. One of the most common spring
cleaning dilemmas -- keeping that "just cleaned" look and feeling -- can be much
easier with these tips.
- Deep clean carpets. Dirt, dust and soil from winter foot traffic gets
imbedded into carpet fibers, which leaves carpets looking dull and rough. Unlike
vacuuming and shampooing, deep cleaning using a hot water extraction process removes
"hidden" soil from carpet fibers, restoring the carpet's fresh look and smell.
You can deep clean carpets yourself, but many people feel more comfortable hiring
a professional service.
- Use runners or throw rugs in high traffic areas. Runners and throw
rugs are popular accent pieces for decorating, but they also help keep floors
clean in high-traffic areas. Purchase patterned rugs and runners that don't show
dirt and are easy and convenient to clean.
- Thoroughly clean your windows. Let the spring sun shine into your home
through clear windows that will give your home a fresh, bright look and feel.
Clean both the inside and outside of the glass and, if possible, remove the window
pane to wipe inside the tiny crevices where dirt builds up. If you can't remove
the panes, be sure to clean in every crack and remove the soil that builds up
in the runners.
When removing storm windows and installing screens, wash the screens with
a wire scrub pad and soap, rinse well and allow to dry. Wipe down the storm windows
before storage so the dirt doesn't remain on them all summer long.
If your windows are on the second level or are particularly large and heavy,
consider hiring a professional service-they'll have the expertise and equipment
to handle cumbersome window jobs.
- Don't forget draperies and upholstery. Like carpets, the appearance
of draperies and upholstery suffers from imbedded dirt and dust. High traffic
and low humidity in the house during winter creates more dust, and winter couch
potatoes may leave body oils on the furniture where their heads and arms rested.
These can be cleaned with an upholstery shampoo, if they are wet-cleanable. If
you have any questions, it's best to call a professional so they can be deep-cleaned
for a like-new look.
Dr. William Bond is vice president of technical development for ServiceMaster,
the leading residential and commercial cleaning services company. |
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