Chicago Spring Cleaning Tips
Spring is almost here, Chicago! If you’ve spent the last season huddled inside, now’s the perfect opportunity to crack those windows and begin thinking about spring cleaning. You may have your normal spring cleaning checklist, but all too often homeowners can skip over a few important items.
These are some pointers to improve your spring cleaning from your floors to your shutters, so you can enjoy the best season in Chicago.
Clean Your Windows For Spring
It’s common to wake up in the middle of March and realize that the subpar view out your bedroom window isn’t because of winter weather–it’s because of a filthy window. Spring is a great time to deep clean your windows. Get your awesome view back with the following instructions.
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If the window opens, fully open it and remove any dirt or debris in the sill. Try first to clean out as much as possible with the track dry, then wash with warm soapy water and a rag to clean out the remainder. This will help your window operate more easily, and make sure your window can close completely.
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Spray down the window with a glass cleaner. You can use either a store-bought chemical cleaner, or mix a homemade cleaner using one part vinegar and two parts warm water.
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Clean the windows with a microfiber cloth. Microfibers are best for cleaning glass and leave fewer streaks.
Don’t Neglect to Clean the Window Treatments
A spotless glass window isn’t worth much the window treatment isn’t similarly clean.
For fabric window treatments such as curtains or draperies, cleaning can be an issue. For thick fabric window coverings, take them off the wall and take them outdoors to shake and get rid of any loose debris, then put them in the washer and run on cold water and air dry them. For thinner window treatments, you’ll need to be more delicate in how you handle them, so wash them by hand in a bathtub or sink.
Plantation shutters are by far the easiest window treatment when it comes to cleaning. Remove dust by wiping down with a microfiber cloth or barely damp rag. To spot clean, wipe with a slightly wet cloth to remove any stain, then go over with a dry cloth.
Spring is also a great time to think about switching things up with some new window treatments. Take a look at the Sunburst Shutters Chicago Idea Gallery for some inspiration on new window treatments for your home.
Pay Attention to Your Appliances
Your refrigerator, stove and washing machine are just as much furniture as appliances. Especially with modern appliances such as those made of stainless steel, looks are equally as important as function. Clean all the nooks and crannies of your appliances, and restore them to the condition they were when you first bought them.
Stainless steel appliances can be polished using a solution made of 1 teaspoon dish soap and 1 quart of warm water, cleaned with a wet cloth and air-dried.
Don’t Neglect a Single Surface
You’re likely going to give your floors and walls some needed attention when you do your spring cleaning, but don’t forget to spread some attention around to some of those often neglected surfaces. Below are just a couple of the areas that are easy to forget when doing your spring cleaning:
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All handles or switches that hands touch. This could be on the toilet, on electronics, or anywhere else in the home.
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Various shower surfaces, like the door, floor, and soap ledge.
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The tops of your ceiling fan blades.
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Under your appliances - especially the big appliances like the refrigerator164 and washer/dryer.
