Tips & Techniques
Betterdays in Full Swing
By hiebingadm
With the emergence of spring comes the urge to purge. There is no better time to spruce things up and get organized than when winter is fading and sunny bright days are becoming the norm. Wondering how to best tackle that spring-cleaning list of to-dos that’s been growing for months? Look no further, because this Gilmour how to deep clean your house guide covers it all.
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to get rid of the clutter and freshen up the look and feel of the home. It is synonymous with out with the old, in with the new. And it’s not just the inside of the home that needs a refresh – spring is a great time to take care of those pesky once-a-year tasks outside too.
Don’t get stuck indoors now that the weather is finally changing and the sun is out! Take advantage of the nicer days and head out to take care of some outside-of-the-home cleaning tasks.
Gutters are the first line of defense against costly water damage, so make sure to get in there and clean out any debris with the powerful jet setting of a cleaning nozzle. While you’re up there, check for cracks in the gutter seams and scrape out old caulking before drying the area thoroughly. Add new sealing to keep water from getting behind the gutters and rotting out siding.
Cleaning windows is an ideal cloudy-day activity, as direct sunlight will provoke streaks. Tackle screens first, taking them off and soaking them. Use a garden hose to fill a child’s wading pool then scrub them with a soft brush on a flat surface. To prevent damage, rinse screens using the fine mist setting of a cleaning nozzle. Next move to the glass windows and use window-cleaner before rinsing. Be sure to dry windows right after with an absorbent towel to prevent streaking.
Start working on the deck with a quick cleaning by spraying off any dirt and cobwebs. Then use a deck-cleaner (not bleach!) to clean off mildew stains, dirt and weather-beaten patches. Finish with a thorough wash using the Power Jet Wand before sealing or staining. Finally, apply a wood preservative to prevent water damage and discoloration.
Pick up winter’s leftovers before adding new plants and flowers to your green-space. This includes removing litter and raking lawn areas to clear away dead grass and perk up dormant blades. It is also a good time to tackle weeds and remove dead flowers. Break out the hand pruners to clean up small bushes and plants and pull out the tree pruners to trim just enough to encourage healthy branch growth. This is the perfect time to add a fresh layer of mulch to flower and garden beds if the old mulch has been there longer than a couple years.
Remove any dead grass or weeds from the driveway and walkway cracks. Then use a robust watering tool like Gilmour’s power jet wand to shoot away dirt and grime before patching any cracks or holes with concrete mix.
Front Porch: Finish by sweeping the front porch and adding colorful potted flowers or hanging baskets for an inviting look.
To help prevent mold and mildew, give siding and the garage door a wash-down. First, combine soap and water into a Foamaster Cleaning Sprayer, mix and apply to the exterior of the area that needs cleaning. Then, follow up the washing by spraying the siding with a power jet wand and the garage door with a cleaning nozzle. Work from the top-down to avoid spreading dirt down to already-cleaned areas.
Take the time to spruce up outdoor furniture so it is ready to enjoy as soon as the days are warm enough. Remove cushions, washing them with soap and water, and give the furniture bases a good spray-down.
To avoid spiders and other critters from making a spring home in the eaves, spray the areas with a powerful jet setting on a nozzle. This may need to be repeated a time or two during the spring-summer season to keep pests away.
Garage floors are often left out of the typical cleaning regime, but after a muddy or snowy winter, they likely could use a good scrubbing. Using a wide push broom, sweep away dirt, dust and debris. For regular cleaning and maintenance, a simple mixture of 1-gallon warm water mixed with one-third cup powdered laundry detergent is a great cleaning mix.
Storage bins take a beating throughout the long winter months, when everything from toys to tools end up tossed in them. Remove contents and spray bins out, returning only what truly belongs in them once they are completely dry.
Spring cleaning is a reference to the days when houses were finally opened up after long cold winter months kept them tightly closed in effort to keep warmth in and cold out. Ash, soot and smoky grime would build up over the winter months from the constant kerosene lamps and coal or wood burning. Warmer spring days meant houses could finally be opened so the “spring” cleaning could begin.
In general, cleaning feels good. In addition to moving, stretching, bending, lifting and getting our blood circulating, it’s also a great way to lift spirits, feel accomplished and have a sense of organization and peace in our space. Spring cleaning leaves us feeling like our world is fresh, clean and right, which makes room for us to then go out and take on the world around us.
People seem motivated by the sun finally shining, the ground drying up and the overall chance to finally get outside and enjoy fresh air. This motivation leads to energy and invigoration, which is a perfect combination to get the job done.
A home and yard is a lot to keep up with. Marking an annual time to work through the big projects is a great way to keep on top of things, so you don’t end up overwhelmed with a house that’s overgrown and falling apart. Take the opportunity to perform yearly maintenance both inside and outside your home. An organized, fresh and beautiful house will be the reward.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. With a few tips and tricks, tasks that you once dreaded may now be seen as a welcome sign of the spring season that’s well on its way. Then sit back and enjoy the gorgeous house and yard you worked so hard on.
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