Household Hints & HELP!

Spring Cleaning

submitted by Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator
This article will appear in the April 18, 2004 Lincoln Journal Star Newspaper.

Spring is in the air and it is time to freshen up the home. In addition to the general spring house cleaning there are some things one can do to cure “house-itosis”. The Soap and Detergent Association suggests the following ideas.

To freshen the bedroom try these suggestions.

• Fresh bedding. Launder comforters, sheets, blankets, and pillows. Read and follow care label instructions.

• Sunny windows. For sunshine-ready windows, clean them with an all-purpose glass cleaner. Launder or dry clean the window treatments. Or, you can give them a good vacuuming. Then apply a fabric refresher to remove odors. First, test the product on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it’s safe for the fabric.

• Shiny furniture. Trap the dirt with furniture wipes that are pre-moistened with polish or cleansing conditioners.

• Fine floors. Vacuum carpets. Use a carpet deodorizer to remove odors. Clean hard-surface flooring with dry, disposable floor wipes or use an all-in-one mopping unit.

• Scent of spring. Bring the scent of spring into the bedroom. Choose cleaning products with soothing fragrances. Add scented candles to the bedroom’s decor.

More tips for a "home sweet home".

• Ditch the dirt. Forgot about the bag of dirty clothes in the corner? Get rid of dirt and odors by laundering the clothes using your favorite detergent.

• Freshen beds. To add freshness to your bedding, place scented dryer sheets into unsealed envelopes. Then, fold them into the sheets before storage.

• Refresh it! Use fabric refreshers to neutralize odors in upholstery, curtains and carpets (after vacuuming).

• Toss and clean. Throw away old food and ice in your refrigerator and freezer. Along with spills, they can cause odors. Clean your refrigerator and freezer regularly using a non-abrasive, all purpose cleaner.

• Zap mold and mildew. Use a cleaner specially formulated to remove mold and mildew in the bathroom. Follow the label directions.

• Scent-alize! For sweet-smelling toilets and trash bins, clean them with a scented, all-purpose cleaner. Choose from lemon, orange, eucalyptus, rosemary and more.

• How sweet it is! Use scented candles, air fresheners or potpourri in rooms attracting the most odors, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Fresh air also helps to give the home a refreshed feel and smell. Enjoy spring and freshen up your home.

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