It’s going to be an early Spring since the groundhog did not see its shadow this year. Which only means one thing, April showers and soon May flowers. It is the season for spring-cleaning and finally hitting those gutters from the ugly winter weather to dusting your home and resealing bathroom grout lines. Aside from tackling spring-cleaning, make sure to review your home and auto insurance coverages to be prepared for the rainy days ahead. To get started, we have provided a spring-cleaning checklist to help motivate everyone to get into the spirit of cleaning.
Living Room
Dust and wash any and all mirrors, frames, ceiling fans, bookshelves, and decorative items. Vacuum and shampoo carpets. Give your pillows and throws a good vacuum or throw them in the dryer on “air-only” cycle to kill away any dust mites or germs. Wash all your windows with a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Use a duster to dust the blinds and vinyl shades and vacuum fabric shades and drapes with an upholstery attachment that usually comes with your vacuum.
As you vacuum your floors and couches don’t forget to clean the woodwork and air vents to improve better airflow and prevent any mold and mildew buildup.
Bedrooms
Wash all bed sheets and comforters and store away any heavy winter blankets and throws in plastic tubs. Next, vacuum the top and sides of the mattress, if there are odors or stains sprinkle baking soda over the top of it and let it sit for 30 mins. Vacuum off the baking soda to eliminate the bad odors. Be sure to also flip the mattress around- 180 degrees. Clean out your closets, dressers, and drawers and set some cotton tees aside to be used to clean mirrors in your bathrooms and living rooms. Revisit your closet and store away any winter clothing items, shoes, and accessories you won’t be using.
Bathroom
Remove fabric and shower curtains liners and put them in the washing machine with a towel for added scrubbing action. Scrub the bathroom tiles and the grout lines behind the toilet. Scrub your tub and mop the bathroom floor. Make sure to keep the drain unclogged and prevent hair from building up.
Throw away any unused hair products, cleaning supplies, and makeup to create less clutter in your cabinets and drawers. Open your medicine cabinet and safely discard any expired medicine or products you don’t use anymore.
Kitchen Cleanliness
Your microwave is the easiest place to start. With some lemon and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl and a few minutes with the power on high, the mixture will boil and steam up the window. Let the microwave sit for 5 minutes, then remove the bowl and wipe the inside clean with a sponge and cloth. No harsh chemicals are used, and you are left behind with a fresh lemony smell.
Next, clean out your pantry and cabinets of old and expired pantry items or if you have unwanted cans or bulk pantry items set them aside to be donated to a local food pantry such as Paul’s Pantry or Hope Center of Green Bay. Wash your kitchen cabinets and deep clean your oven by utilizing the oven’s self-cleaning feature. Grab an extra pair of hands and move your fridge and mop and sweep behind it too.
Don’t forget to deep clean the fridge both on the inside and outside. You can pop out shelves and bins and wash them in warm water with soap to clean away any leftover food or spills that have harden. Any unwanted drinkware, utensils, pots, pans and unwanted dishes can be donated to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill store. Lastly, store and wrap away any holiday dishes, champagne glasses or special occasion platters if they are not used regularly.
Fire Safety and Fire Escape Plan
It is important to practice fire safety especially if you have children and elderly loved ones living at home. Be sure to change out batteries and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Make sure to check the expiration date on fire extinguishers and teach everyone who is old enough to use one. Don’t forget to review or if you haven’t yet, create a fire escape plan for your family. You can use the American Red Cross link below to help your family create a fire escape plan and practice it twice a year. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html
Inspect Your Home's Exterior
As the snow melts and ground thaws, be sure to take a good look around the outside of your home. Check to make sure that downspouts and gutters are clear of any blockage and debris. Inspect your home's foundation and vents to make sure everything remains in good shape. Repair any cracks in concrete and walkways that could be potential hazards. Make sure that the landscaping and grading around your home is directing water away from the foundation to avoid any damage from flooding.
Whether cleaning becomes a chore or a delight, make sure you know what coverages you have day and night. Call one of our agents today and review your home or renter’s insurance and protect your family and loved ones today!