How to Give Your Home a Good Spring Cleaning

Keep your living areas sparkling with these DIY tips

A good spring cleaning sets the stage for company and entertaining, and nothing seems as welcoming as an immaculate household. Now that the weather is warming and pollen season is over in Hampton Roads, the time is ripe to declutter and thoroughly clean your living spaces. Use our DIY checklist to make sure the job goes smoothly and efficiently —from entryways to interiors. Then sit back, relax, and say hello to summer!

Porches and Decks

Remove and wipe down all outdoor furniture, then sweep and hose down your porch and deck surfaces. For a deep deck cleaning, make sure to use products that will not harm the surface. A mixture of dish soap and water should do the trick. Use a deck brush to scrub, then rinse with clean water and let dry before putting chairs and rockers back in place. Add fresh potted plants, and you are “company ready.”

Living Areas

Decluttering is the key here. Go through your communal living areas and set aside stray magazines, books, papers, shoes, clothing, backpacks, and other loose items. Group like objects together and put these away where they belong. Dust surfaces, clean windows, and see if any houseplants need repotting. Don’t forget to tidy up the hall closet and store coats and throw blankets for the summer.

Spring Cleaning Your Kitchen

Start by putting away surface objects and small appliances you do not use often. Then give your countertops a good cleaning. For the granite countertops in all AB Homes’ kitchens (and master bath areas), avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, and abrasive sponges. These will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, wipe countertops with a mixture of warm water and dish soap using a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to reseal the granite surface every two to four years. (When it becomes difficult to wipe up spills or water does not bead on the surface, you will know that it is time.) Next, wipe down appliances and cabinet surfaces, sweep and mop the floor, and clean out the garbage can.

Bathrooms

In your bathrooms, wipe down countertops and cabinets, clean mirrors, and mop floors. For cleaning tubs and showers, there are products to buy and DIY cleaning solutions you can make—depending on the type of tile. For ceramic/porcelain shower tile, mix equal parts dish soap and vinegar in a spray bottle, spray on the tile and let it sit for five minutes. Then, using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad, wipe and scrub the surface, and follow with a rinse.

For glass, concrete, or natural stone tiles, stay away from abrasive or acidic cleaners, which can scratch and mar the surface. You can use the same dish soap/vinegar mixture and directions above to apply to the shower walls, making sure to wipe it dry with a microfiber towel.

And to tackle dirty grout between the tile, mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts baking soda to make a paste. Apply it with a toothbrush, rinse, and wipe it dry.

Carpets and Flooring

Between professional carpeting cleaning, refresh your carpets by using a portable carpet cleaner with a rotating brush. Tackle pet odors by working baking soda into the carpet and let it set for 20 minutes before cleaning. For plank flooring, like the ones in our AB Homes’ main living areas, dampen a mop in equal mixtures of apple cider or white vinegar and water. Then move it in the direction of the planks and let it dry to avoid leaving streaks or suds.

Now that you have followed our spring-cleaning tips, it is time to celebrate a job well done. Kick back, pour an icy cold beverage, and enjoy your “clean-as-a-whistle” home! All the best,

Brandon and Dan