Spring Cleaning Tips

We all have a list of chores for Spring Cleaning, the once a year projects for your home. The difference between Spring Cleaning and everyday cleaning is in the details. Spring is the time to really focus on the details and the things that go overlooked throughout the year.

Here is a list of 5 things to add that will make your worn out furniture and décor look and feel like new.

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1. Pillows: This can be for your functional pillows or the decorative pillows -- but be sure to read the instructions on each pillow before cleaning. For pillows that can be washed in the washing machine, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your regular detergent. Cover 2 tennis balls with socks and put in the dryer with your pillows to fluff and dry.

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2. Walls- Your walls collect finger prints, grime, dust and dirt but we often don’t spend a lot of time cleaning them. But if you clean them, your house will feel like it was just painted and new. First you want to make sure to dust the walls and ceilings. You can wrap your broom with a towel and run it along the walls to do this easier. Once this is done it you can use a floor mop that is flat with a removable cloth attached to it. Do one wall at a time, working from ceiling to floor. It might be easier to move furniture away from the walls. Then wipe down trim and light switches and outlets

To get rid of marks or stubborn dirt use a magic eraser. These things are amazing, but be sure to test your walls in an inconspicuous spot. On some paint it can take the gloss out of your glossy or semi-gloss paint.

3. Stainless Steel: I love the look of my stainless steel appliances, but over the year they take quite the beating. Regular cleansers might remove dirt but can leave behind streaks and spots that are very difficult to remove, not to mention the tons of fingerprints! To give these surfaces a good clean and shine combine ¼ cup vinegar, ½ cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil to form a paste. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste into your stainless steel appliance, using small circles to really get the mixture in. Let the paste sit for about 10 minutes before wiping off with a clean cloth.

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4. Leather Furniture: Leather is timeless and can be quite beautiful, but if you have kids and pets, then your leather probably looks worn and scratched. Leather can be conditioned and made to look almost new with just a little elbow grease and olive oil. There are couple different recipes for refreshing your leather but I have used straight olive oil and gotten great results. Always, always test a spot that will not be seen to see how your leather will react, this is so important.

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5. Wood furniture:  If you have wood furniture with scratches you can give them a makeover and make it look like new. Use ½ cup of vinegar with a ½ cup of olive oil. Rub it on, leave for a  minute and then wipe off. The finish will look like new.

As always, Happy Decorating!

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