Seems most everyone is spring cleaning this time of the year. Even for someone like me who keeps up on things, this is the time to do things forgotten or put off. Most of these things we all do. Organization is the key here.
All of those cords behind the TV console and computer drive me nuts. I don't know what most are and they get tangled and very dusty. Several things help with dusting these cords, even the ones that have yellowed due to heat, sun, etc. Take a rag of some kind and dampen it. Using lemon and vinegar wipe the cords, straightening them out as you clean off the dust. I suggest after they dry to use dryer sheet (used or new) so they are easier to clean next time. After they are cleaned take your bread clip and mark what that particular cord is. For example: printer, DVD player, whatever it is; mark it. Next time you will know what cord it is.
Another thing that bothers me are dirty window screens. Most people in my neighborhood are taking them out and hosing them down. That works great however I do it a little differently and more often. Where I live my windows are open unless it's pouring rain. I use my steamer and steam them while they are still in place. Doing this weekly or biweekly, even rotating can help keep extra dust out all year around.
Maybe you do not have windows open all 12 months, but for those of you that do, this helps with keeping your dusting to a minimum. It allows you to enjoy all of the nice weather outside. If you don't have a steamer for cleaning you can use your clothes steamer, it works just fine. If your floor steamer isn't too heavy it will do the job too.
Have none of the above? Take boiling water in a spray bottle and put it on the widest opening, then spray and wipe. Getting off all of that extra dust, dirt, and keeping grime from coming in is a blessing. Doing it more often will save you time from taking down the screens and replacing them. It will save you so much time in your weekly cleaning.
By Luana M. from San Diego, CA
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking for helpful ideas and frugal at the same time to make Spring cleaning a lot easier and simple.
Good info!!
one thing I have found very helpful is to use two buckets one with your cleaner mixture in it and one with nothing but water......if you rinse your rag after wiping things down before returning to the bucket of cleaner, your cleaner will not only last longer but you will not be adding dirt from one area to another.....so each time you wipe whether it be a wall, table, bookcase ect. you will be starting with a fresh clean cloth. if you use spray cleaner then you only need the bucket of water to rinse between wipings.....
The Happy Slob has lots of fun, easy and free cleaning tips - and even more cleaning recipes that are non-toxic. http://www.happyslob.com :) Hope this helps!
P.S. Try some of her daily cleaning routine tips and you'll find that you're never stuck with as much to do when spring cleaning rolls around!
I use the cheapest off brand of a product like scrubbing bubbles to clean mini blinds. Extend them all the way before removing from the window. Lay them in the bathtub and spray them one set at a time that I stack. Let them lay there while you wipe your windows. fill the tub with enough water to cover them plus a couple of inches and give them a swish. Drain the water and refill the tub adding fabric softener. One cup maybe? Drain that and gather them to stand straight and drip dry. The softener helps prevent dust and grime from settling on them in the future. You get a pretty smell and clean tub in the deal.
I have found that for me the best way to clean windows & mirrors is water & dry with newspaper.
