The Kitchen Sink V5I45

Welcome to the Thunder Dome of Cleaning!

Spring Cleaning is where The Kitchen Sink began, in the very first article with a master cleaning list that is still a wonderful plan to use. (It will be available on our website.) As these years have passed, I’ve gained a little more wisdom and a few new techniques which has added few things to my Spring-Cleaning list. -First, clean and replace tools of the trade. Taking the time to deep clean your Vacuum, carpet cleaner, steam mop ect. Change or clean filters, give everything a good scrub. Comb out the brushes to remove any hair or anything stuck. Doing this can add years of use to your equipment. Replace your scrub brushes, and cleaners. Try a new scent or new product, you know treat yourself!

-Porch Clean. Since we use our porch a lot, I like to give it a good cleaning as soon as it is warm enough. My husband helps so we can get it done in a day. We empty the porch off, and pressure wash the whole thing, the rug too. Leave in the Sun to dry and whiten the rug while we put everything back together. I was serious when I said we use our porch like an extra living room, so there is a good amount to rearrange. My husband’s grill, our loveseat, end tables, and plants that have been patiently waiting to be back in their spots on the porch ready for the sunshine.

-Laundry space/room. While not on my original list, it should have been. Depending on your home this could be a quick tidy up or a day long clean. (No worries if you need to ask for help, we all need a little now and then) Cleaning behind your washer and dryer can be a task, but you would be surprised what you find back there, it’s like Narnia sometimes. This is also a good time to get one of these dryer lint brushes if you don’t have one already. You can also use vacuum attachments to help get in the tough to reach spots. I know everyone has seen the videos of the leaf blowers and dryer vents. While those are fun to watch, I wouldn’t want to clean that up. Vacuuming your dryer vents is a great alternative, probably less fun though.

-Kids rooms. My oldest is old enough to manage their room but my youngest is a bit of a hoarder. So, during my Spring Clean I set aside extra time while he is at school to work on his room. I smuggle broken toys out like it’s an art heist. I find if I take care of those hard decisions, then he can help me with the rest. I know we adults can get a kids room done in no time but if we do it for them, they won’t learn. It is important to take the time, no matter how frustrating it is to show kids how to clean and pick up after they have their fun. They will be grateful when they are 30 and see it with new eyes.

Lastly, the most valuable thing I have learned about Spring Cleaning is to pace myself. I used to tackle the whole thing in a weekend, then I needed way too much time to recover. Now I just do a few things each day until my list is completed. There is no point in rushing or overdoing it. What I love about spring cleaning is that it is like washing away the gloom of winter and starting fresh. It’s the perfect time to start a new habit or routine.

Join me April 10th, where we will talk about Easter, grill maintenance and cast-iron care. I will answer the age-old question “Can I wash my cast-iron with soap?"

Happy Spring Cleaning