Spring Cleaning For Your Home

Now that the winter rains have finally stopped and the days are getting longer, it is time to address all of those chores and cleaning that you have been putting off.  That’s right, its spring cleaning time.  As the premier real estate agent for UBC homes, here are some great ways to get your home spotless this spring.

Kitchen

The kitchen is usually the room that takes the most abuse, so why not start here?  When you are thoroughly cleaning your kitchen, make sure to deep clean the appliances, cupboards and counters.

When you are cleaning the inside of your refrigerator, don’t forget to:

• Clean your refrigerator's condenser coils which are found behind the bottom grill.  Use a long handled brush and your vacuum cleaner to remove all dust and build up.  A clean condenser coil will ensure a longer life for your refrigerator and prevent it from overheating.

• Use a combination of salt and soda water to clean the inside of your refrigerator.  This potent combination makes the perfect abrasive cleaner to thoroughly clean your refrigerator’s surface. 

All stainless steel surfaces need to be cleaned with a specific cleaner to make those surfaces shine and sparkle.  Try using a waxed based aerosol to buff those surfaces.  Continue to use this cleaner at least once or twice a week to keep your stainless steel looking like new.

 

Regardless of whether your countertops are granite, quartz or marble, they are porous.  That means that any simple spill such juice or soy sauce can stain them.  To prevent this, use a countertop sealer that will repel stains and cause liquids to bead rather than to be absorbed.  Use a sealer twice a year to keep your counters stain free and looking like new.

 

Here’s the deal:

 

Countertops with lots of swirls or veins in them tend to be more porous and need to be treated more often.

Bathroom

Once you are finished with the kitchen, the next spring cleaning job to tackle should be your bathrooms.  Make sure to pay particular attention to often overlooked areas such as tiles and glass shower doors. 

 

For shower tiles or wall tiles, use a neutral pH cleaner or use baking soda and water.  This will neutralize all mold and bacteria that thrives in humid and moist environments.

 

To keep your glass shower door streak and scum free, use a rain repellent product that is made for car windshields.  When this product is applied it creates an invisible barrier that will not allow water, debris, or soap suds to stick. 

 

If you have any lime or calcium build up around taps, lay paper towels over the fixture and soak them with vinegar.  Allow them to set for an hour.  This will allow the deposits to soften and then you can easily remove them with a brush.

 

Floors, Walls and Baseboards

Regardless of the season, your floors take a lot of abuse.  Take the time to apply a sealer or a wax finisher.  The most effective finisher is a combination of wash and wax cleaner.  Make sure that the floor cleaner protects and cleans.  If you have real wood floors, you will need to apply a polish as well as a new wax coating.

 

Once you have cleaned your floors, take the time to spot clean all of your walls and baseboards to keep them looking pristine.  Use a mild detergent or just water and a sponge for this job.  Make sure that the water as well as the sponge is clean, so that you are not transferring dirt onto your walls and baseboards.

 

These spring cleaning tips will add to the ambiance and overall presentation of your home.  A thorough spring cleaning is also a great way to prepare your home for the real estate market if you are thinking about putting it on the spring real estate market.  If this is the case, please contact me today and see how I can help. 

 

Happy cleaning!