Move These Items to the Top of Your Spring Cleaning List
Last night I did something I had never done before: I cleaned the filters of our window air conditioners. All my research says I should have done it once a month and I waited six years but decided to be proud of myself anyway.
If anything, it made me think that there are probably several other parts of my house where I could cool off a bit in the spring. But since I let the AC units wait for over half a century, I figured it would be best to bring in an expert to tell me where I should focus my efforts next time.
Melissa Maker, who runs a cleaning service in Canada and cleans up over a million YouTube subscribers , was delighted to provide the service and point out a few of the most important areas to address this time of year.
Filters and vents
It must be said that Maker seemed to be impressed with my air conditioning efforts, but she pointed out a whole host of other filters and vents in and around my home that are likely to affect my family’s air quality. In particular, she advises to clean or replace all filters related to your HVAC system. “The cleaner these filters are, the cleaner the air will be and the more efficient your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will work,” she says. Then remove all air registers and return them together with the vacuum cleaner attachment.
Oh, speaking of the vacuum cleaner, it probably needs a little love too. We often forget to clean up what cleans other things, Maker says, but cleaning or replacing your vacuum cleaner’s filter or filter bag – and wiping down the components – is a good idea.
The exhaust system above the stove is another area that is often overlooked (and very greasy).To clean the filter , Maker says, you can put it in the dishwasher or soak it in a bucket of soapy water or an enzymatic cleaner. (Or, if it has gone too far, just replace it.)
And while you’re in the kitchen, you can pull out the refrigerator and vacuum the coils in the back.
“These are all pretty simple and quick jobs,” she says. “You just have to put them on your to-do list and set aside time.”
Soft surfaces
Then there are all the soft or upholstered surfaces in your home, such as curtains, rugs, carpets, sofas, and throw pillows.
Follow the specific fabric care instructions for each item, because some can only be dry cleaned or stained. This is the perfect time to hire professionals to come in and steam your carpets (they can clean your upholstered furniture at the same time), but at least go through and clean up any stains on carpets and rugs. Maker especially likes Carbona carpet cleaner for this task because of its sponge and applicator.
This is also a good time to remove thick winter bedding and obtain lighter summer bedding.
Window
It’s time to take all winter away from your windows without adding a bunch of new stripes. The Maker’s favorite tool for the job is a reversible microfiber squeegee like this one . Fill a rectangular bucket halfway with hot water, one cup of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap. She also recommends placing a towel at the bottom of the window to collect excess water if you’re cleaning the inside.
Here’s a visual demo courtesy of Maker:
Toilets
Spring is the perfect time for what the Maker calls a “toilet change”. Take out your winter boots, hats, gloves, and thick sweaters and either store them until fall or move them somewhere less visible.
“You give way to spring and summer clothes, and then you won’t have an exploding closet all the time,” she says. “It’s a little more manageable.”
If you have kids, the change of seasons also marks a good time to sort through their clothes and put aside anything that is no longer suitable or seasonal to make room for new ones.
Originally published May 2019 and updated on March 15, 2021 to reflect the current style guidelines.