Whether you see it as simply a necessity or a satisfying ritual, spring cleaning is something both you and your home need after the long, closed-in months of winter.
As warm weather comes in and plants begin to bloom, you open the windows, set aside a day or two and get down to give your home a good cleaning. The task is big, but with the right tools and a few tricks, you can simplify the job and have your home ready in no time.
Pack away winter with care
As you start your spring cleaning, you want to pack away all your winter clothes, bedding and linens with care. By cleaning and pressing everything before you pack it away or move it to the back of your closet you’ll save time next fall, because everything will be clean and ready for use.
As your packing, steam thicker winter bedding like quilts and duvets to get out any smells from the season of use, to have them fresh and ready when cold weather comes again.
Steaming drapes & bedding
With a winter’s worth of trying to keep out as much cold as possible, drapes and bedding can get a little stale smelling. Like your clothes, though, your vertical steam iron can help you freshen up these fabrics.
Drapes can actually be steamed where they are hanging. Just select the appropriate fabric setting, hold the fabric out with one hand and hold your iron vertically in front of it. Pump the steam button as you move over the fabric.
If you have a place to hang bedding, you can use vertical steam as well or you can check the tag to see what ironing indications it has. Most bedding uses medium temperature settings for flat ironing and allows for direct steam if you need to remove any wrinkles.
Cleaning in the kitchen
Your kitchen also typically requires some attention in your spring cleaning regimen.
When you’re cleaning appliance exteriors for spring, always remember they typically only need a damp cloth to wipe off any dust or even stains—harsh cleansers can actually damage the exterior coating, so if a damp cloth isn’t enough, use regular soap or a mild cleanser.
If you have limited counter space, you may need to rearrange your appliances as well. The appliances you use most in cold weather may not be the same as what you’ll use most once it’s warm. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to consider your kitchen setup and see if you can change it to fit new menus. If appliances have been stored away in cabinets, you may need to wash the removable parts in the dishwasher and wipe the appliance down to get it ready for use.
Get table linens ready for events
Spring and summer have a fair number of holidays and special events—everything from graduations to family reunions. As you get your home ready for spring, also think about getting ahead in the prep for all those parties by freshening and pressing out any party table linens, placements and napkins with a good steam pressing as well.
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