KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN TIPS - SPRING CLEANING AROUND THE HOUSE
It’s best to take on large scale cleaning projects one step at a time and one room at a time. First, stand in the middle of the room and ask, “What needs to be done?”
1. Pull the furniture away from the walls. Wash the walls from bottom to top. Use Murphy’s oil or flax soap in a bucket of warm water. Use a large sponge and change the water frequently. Vacuum where the furniture would be and return it to its place.
2. Take down the curtains. Wash them if they can be safely machined washed. Be sure to take them out of the dryer immediately so they don’t wrinkle.
3. Wash the windows. I used to use vinegar and newspapers but I gave up on that and am back to my old standby Windex. It is the best window cleaner in my opinion. A great secret, do one side with vertical strokes and the other horizontal. This helps to tell you where you miss a spot.
4. If you have blinds the easiest way to clean them is to hose them down outside. It’s a little cold to do that now so just throw them in the tub with some flax soap and warm water.
5. Go through the rest of the items in the room. If you have not used an item in a year, throw it out or donate it!
If you go room by room your house will be clean before Spring actually gets here.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
