Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring has sprung, so let's get that house of yours looking beautiful for that first gathering or party of the season! I'm not talking about vacuuming and doing the dishes. I'm talking about those little things you always think you should do someday.

• First of all, get yourself organized and de-clutter your living space. Recycle the old magazines laying around. File away your important mail and paperwork. Organize your photos. You know what to do!
• Clean your blinds and windows. You don't even need that blue window cleaner. Just a few drops of white vinegar and dishwashing liquid to a bucket of water. Try using newspaper instead of paper towels--it often works better.
• Wash the walls, too! Use a mop head with a gentle cleanser. Don't apply too much pressure so you don't hurt the paint or wall treatment. It is usually best to start at the top and work your way down. Better to clean the whole wall than to do spot cleaning, which can lead to an uneven appearance.
• Clean around your fridge. Most of us just clean the inside, but make sure to clean off the top of the fridge, which gets dusty. Pull the fridge out and clean the floor around it. Make sure clean those coils, too, to improve the energy efficiency. And, clean out the drip tray.
• Flip that mattress. But, vacuum it first. And, it wouldn't hurt to flip the box springs, as well, if you can. If you can't find a washing machine big enough for your comforter, find a friend and shake it out vigorously.