Spring Prep: Doing a Deep Clean

Besides sunshine, warmth, and other joys of life, spring is also a time for a necessary deep clean. Avoiding obvious tips, we've compiled a detailed guide divided into two parts: in the first part, we share advice on large-scale cleaning tasks relevant to every room—tasks you've long wanted to tackle, and spring is the perfect time for that; in the second part, we provide specific tips for individual rooms. Let's go—toward spring freshness and cleanliness!

Part #1: A Thorough Approach

What to tidy up in each room

1. Windows

One of the most difficult and least favorite, but necessary tasks is window cleaning. However, you can make this task easier. Choose a cloudy day for cleaning because on sunny days, cleaning solutions dry quickly, leaving streaks.

If you prefer homemade cleaners over store-bought ones (which is correct—cheaper, more effective, and less toxic), mix 1/4 cup of alcohol with 1/3 cup of vinegar in a one-liter bottle and fill it with distilled water.

2. Curtains

If it's too early to wash the curtains, vacuum them with a furniture upholstery attachment—this way you can easily remove dust.

3. Rugs

Your rugs need deep cleaning at least once a year. For this, it's best to hire professionals or rent a portable rug cleaning machine. This way, your rugs will last much longer. Another option is renting a steam cleaner: fill it with hot water! A mixture of a quarter cup salt, a quarter cup vinegar, and a quarter cup baking soda can remove deeply embedded stains (just leave it on the rug until dry, then vacuum). After brushing the rug with a weak vinegar solution, you'll restore its freshness.

4. Furniture

Refresh furniture: 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil mixed with half a cup of vinegar or lemon juice will be enough to polish wooden surfaces with a soft cloth.

5. Space Under Furniture

Move furniture, roll up rugs, and thoroughly vacuum the freed-up space. Push the kitchen cabinet as far from the wall as possible so that a vacuum hose can reach under it.

6. Hidden Surfaces

Baseboards, door frames, and small gaps between furniture also need cleaning, though not as frequently as more visible surfaces. Add a little dish soap to a bucket of warm water and use this solution with a sponge to thoroughly wipe all these hard-to-see spots.

7. Light Fixtures

Use a soft cloth made of lint-free fabric to dust light fixtures and lamps. For ceiling fans, use a dust brush. To clean bulbs, slightly dampen a cloth with vinegar, but make sure the lights are switched off.

8. Unneeded Items

Get rid of seasonal items that no longer fit: decide which warm clothes can be stored deeper in the closet or storage, and first send those that need cleaning to a dry cleaner. Before starting to clean any room, declutter it by deciding what items can be thrown away or donated.

Part #2: Final Touches

We won't mention obvious things like carpet cleaning, floor mopping, or dusting

1. Bedroom

Flip the mattress to the other side and switch the head of the bed so that the foot is now at the head, allowing it to gradually restore its original shape. Wash the duvets with a detergent suitable for your filling, choose a conditioner to ensure even washing in the machine; to wash the duvet evenly, roll it like a coil. Wash in a gentle cycle at no higher than 30 degrees Celsius, then thoroughly rinse to remove all chemicals. Pillows should also be washed and then dried outdoors or using a clothes dryer. Remember that pillows with organic fillings cannot be machine-washed! Synthetic pillows can safely be washed in the machine whole, while down-filled ones have their filling removed separately from the shell (the latter needs to be split along the seam).

2. Bathroom

Throw away all cosmetics, gels, and shampoos you no longer use—they just take up space and have limited shelf life. Replace worn-out mats and old bathroom curtains, as even slight signs of mold or mildew can ruin the look of an otherwise spotless bathroom. Replace the air freshener: manufacturers usually promise a scent duration of up to three months, so it's time to change the cartridge after winter, choosing a light spring scent—say, fresh field flowers.

3. Kitchen

Decide which dishes and kitchen appliances you no longer use (perhaps it's an old toaster or juice extractor that never ended up being useful), and donate them to those in need. Get rid of expired products like old spices or stale flour—mushroom beetles or other unwelcome guests might appear. Defrost the refrigerator (if it doesn’t have an automatic defrost function) and the freezer, and thoroughly wash the freezer compartment. This will help get rid of excess ice and unpleasant odors. Replace the batteries in the smoke detector, as safety comes first!

4. Balcony

Remove dust from walls and balcony grills using a stiff brush, and use a metal scrub pad for rust. Wash tiles or cement floors with water mixed with three tablespoons of ammonia, and for slate, use regular laundry detergent.

Many people use the balcony for storage, and spring is the perfect time to organize the piles. Consider turning the balcony from a storage area into a comfortable space for relaxation? It just takes a little: a table, a couple of chairs, green plants, and flowers. Time for renewal!