Spring Cleaning Tips & Tools

SPRING CLEANING TIPS & TOOLS

SUSAN SIEMIONTKOWSKI COLDWELL BANKER ALFONSO REALTY 228-287-1000 OFFICE 228-239-2621 DIRECT

The spring season is here, and it's time for fresh starts! I want to share this Spring Cleaning & Organization Guide to freshen your home and make cleaning easier.

You can use this guide as a helpful tool to revamp your home for the new season. You will find information such as: Cleaning With Ordinary Products Clearing Clutter Organization and Storage Solutions Cleaning Hacks I hope that you take advantage of the time saving tips and tools in this guide. If you have helpful tips, please share!

“The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.”

Marie Kondo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

5

Cleaning Hacks: Uncommon Uses For Common Things

9 10

Clear The Clutter: When Is It Time To Let Go?

11 13

Kitchen & Living Room: Making The Most Of The Space

Home Organization: Uncovering Extra Space

Keeping It Neat: The Key to Putting Things Away In Any Room

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.”

Motivating a Fresh Beginning

Did you know there are multiple uses for everyday items around your home? Some may be uncommon but work like a charm. Let your savings bloom by following these tips to help you begin your fresh start.

LEMONS

DRYER SHEETS

Lemons Kill Bacteria! Squeeze fresh lemon juice on your cutting board, in your microwave, on refrigerator shelves, mirrors, and windows and wash off with warm water.

Not Just a Static Fighter! Add a few drops of water to a used dryer sheet and wipe down faucets and glass shower doors to remove stubborn soap scum.

Struggling to Get Baked Food Off Of Your Pots and Pans? Add a couple of dryer sheets, new or used, with hot water and soak overnight for easy cleaning the next day.

Also, clean your garbage disposal by grinding cut lemon pieces or rinds. Not only will this sanitize and remove stains, but it will also leave a clean scent.

Not a Fan of Bleach? Brighten your white clothes with ¼ cup of lemon juice to a regular load of laundry. It helps to remove stains too!

CLEANING HACKS

VINEGAR

BAKING SODA

Are Your Pots and Pans Looking Dull and Dingy? Mix ¼ cup of both baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a small glass bowl until it makes a paste.

Rub it on your pots and pans to make them look new again.

Don’t Let Your Sponge Soak Up More Than It Should! Soak your stale sponges in 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water to disinfect and re-use.

Eliminate Garbage Can Odors. Place some baking soda in the bottom of your can to fight trash stink.

Need to Remove Mildew Stains?

Spray white vinegar on plastic shower curtains, tile, and the underside of rugs to remove the stain and odors.

Doing so will also help to prevent mildew from coming back.

Are You a Coffee Drinker? Keep your coffee fresh tasting by running a brew cycle with vinegar. Rinse by running plain water through two more times.

(Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations beforehand.)

MORE CLEANING HACKS CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE WITH LEMON JUICE – Squeeze a lemon into a 1/2 cup of water and drop the rinds into the mixture. Microwave for three minutes and let it stand for five minutes without opening the door.

The steam will make it easier to clean and leave a lemon-fresh scent.

ECO-FRIENDLY OVEN CLEANING ALTERNATIVE - Use Molly Maid’s nontoxic vinegar and baking soda paste. Apply it to any spills, let it sit for at least an hour (preferably overnight), and wipe down with elbow grease. If the racks are extremely bad, put them in the tub and cover them with hot water. Add a half-cup of vinegar and ¾ cup of dishwashing detergent. Let soak for two hours, and then rinse. Scrub any remaining bits with a brush or scratch-free sponge.

MAKE SURE YOUR DISHWASHER IS CLEANING PROPERLY - Fill a mug with vinegar, put it right side up in the top rack of an empty dishwasher, and run a normal cycle.

FRESHEN UP YOUR FRIDGE - Martha Stewart recommends combining two tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of hot water. Dip a sponge into the mixture and wipe your fridge’s interior. Wipe one more time with a damp cloth and dry with a towel.

CLEAN STAINLESS-STEEL SINKS WITH BAKING SODA - Wet the sink and faucet and sprinkle with baking soda before cleaning with a sponge. Add salt to the baking soda if you need more heavy-duty scrubbing power.

REMOVE BUILT-UP FOOD ON YOUR COOKTOP Dryer sheets are non-abrasive and great for removing burnt-on food from your stove. Place a wet dryer sheet on your stovetop at least 15 minutes before scrubbing the burnt mess away.

MORE CLEANING HACKS CLEAN YOUR GRILL WITH AN ONION Heat the grill and spray white vinegar onto the grates to help loosen residue. Then, scrub them briskly with half of an onion. The acid in the onion cleans any of the leftover material.

USE CREAM OF TARTAR TO CLEAN TOASTERS AND TEA KETTLES. Combine 1 tsp of Cream of Tartar with a small amount of water to make a milky paste. Rub the solution onto your stainless-steel appliances and buff it away to create a nice shine.

MINERAL DEPOSITS IN A BATHROOM – Vinegar can dissolve the mineral deposits that accumulate on showerheads, which cause reduced pressure and water flow. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and leave it overnight. Run the shower before using it so you don’t smell like vinegar.

USE NEWSPAPER TO CLEAN WINDOWS AND MIRRORS - Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water and two teaspoons of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the glass and scrub with newspaper for a streak-free shine.

WRAP A TOWEL OVER A BROOM TO CLEAN HARD-TO-REACH PLACES - Cobwebs and dust can collect in room corners and on ceiling fans. Wipe them away with a towel attached to the bristle end of a broom with a large rubber band. The dust and cobwebs stick to the cloth.

RECYCLE THOSE UNPAIRED SOCKS FROM THE DRYER - Cotton is an excellent fabric for trapping dust particles. Try using a (clean) pair of socks as dust mitts.

CLEAN GROUT BETWEEN TILES - Sprinkle baking soda on the grout, covering all affected areas. Wipe away excess powder. Next, spray vinegar on the spot and let bubble for a few minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER

Spring brings fresh starts, making it the perfect time to let go of things you no longer need or use. The easiest way to find extra space is to declutter. Here are a few tips to help get you started: As you go through your clothes, ask yourself, "Is this something I absolutely need?" If the answer is no, toss it, sell it at a yard sale or donate to a local charity.

If something has sentimental value, think about showcasing it on a wall. Create a gallery of family photos and old greeting cards, or place them in an album on a shelf.

Buy storage containers that slide under your bed. Use these to get rid of clutter and add more living space. These are perfect for holiday decorations and seasonal clothing.

When you label the bins, avoid using abbreviations you won't recognize down the road. An excellent tip for holiday decorations is to color code red and green for Christmas, orange for Halloween, etc.

To help clean out your closet, after you wear something, flip the hanger so that by the end of the month, you see what you still need to wear and decide whether or not it's time to donate or discard the item.

Home Organization UNCOVERING EXTRA SPACE

Clearing the

KITCHEN

The kitchen is usually a high-traffic area where you do more than just cooking and sharing meals. Things tend to pile up on tables and countertops. It can quickly turn into a clutter nightmare. Use these tips to keep your kitchen clutterfree: Create a message center with a chalkboard or dry-erase board to keep notes and reminders. Another option is to brush chalkboard paint on a cabinet door inside or outside.

Keep food and spices in airtight clear containers or labeled jars. These make it easier to find and see when things need to be restocked.

Create baskets with snacks to keep them organized and reachable. The baskets can be made of plastic, metal, wicker, etc.

Use adhesive hooks to hang almost anything, like pot holders, utensils, and towels.

Organize your pantry and cupboards by grouping like objects together.

Use odd-shaped empty areas, such as above the fridge or in corners.

Hang pots and pans above the stove to be within arm's reach. Make sure the hooks are sturdy enough to hold their weight.

Add a couple of magnetic strips to hang your knives from. Keep them out of the reach of children while making them easily accessible.

Expanding the

Living Room

It’s been a long day and you are just getting home. Imagine walking into your clean and organized living room where the floors are spotless, the coffee and end tables are dust and clutter-free, and all of your books and magazines are filed neatly away. Here are a few pointers on making that dream a reality: Use multi-purpose furniture like a storage bench or ottoman to add style and storage for those cold-weather blankets and throws.

Baskets are a great way to control clutter and mess. Place them on end tables or beneath coffee tables.

When you need more floor space, hang it up! Add built-in bookshelves or hang individual shelves to display items neatly.

Make sure you arrange your furniture with a clear traffic path in mind. Nothing makes a room smaller than squeezing in and out of large furniture pieces.

KEEPING IT NEAT The Key to Putting Things Away In Any Room

DRAWERS

There’s no denying that a cluttered and disorganized home creates a stressful environment. The good news is that when a system is followed regularly, it becomes a habit and easy to maintain.

Here are a few tips to help tidy up closets and other spaces.

CLOSETS

You can create an easy-to-use system in your existing closet by labeling coordinating bins, crates, or baskets.

Add baskets or a hanging shoe organizer to the back of your closet and pantry doors. These are perfect for storing small things like craft items, cleaning supplies, ties and belts, jewelry, etc.

Use recycled jars, clear sectional organizers, drawer dividers, or muffin tins to organize paper clips, pens, rubber bands, belts and lingerie.

Add wall hooks to your entryway or mud room for more creative storage to hang your keys, purse, coats, and umbrella.

Designate a drawer or basket for their dishes, crafts, or other kid supplies if you have children.

CABINETS

Install a magnetic strip to magnetize or add hangers to the back of your cabinet doors to hold spices, notes, measuring cups, or kitchen utensils.

Stack dishes neatly. Dinner plates and salad bowls stack easily. It’s the tea cups that are a challenge. Place a cup over the saucer in stacks of three or four, and you have the solution.

Save space in your cabinets by making the most of your countertops. Use a cake stand to hold olive oil, salt, pepper, and other frequently used seasonings. Place other herbs and spices around the base for a decorative look.

CREATING SPACE WITH FURNITURE

Store items inside of ottomans, benches, and window seats, which double as extra seating for guests.

Choose coffee and end tables that come with builtin shelving underneath.

Go vertical. Hang both open and closed shelving to keep items off of the floor.

MORE ORGANIZATION IDEAS...

Turn a wooden plate rack into a sewing organizer by sliding yarn onto the pegs.

Store sheet sets in one of the pillowcases.

Put instruction manuals in a three-ring binder; you’ll never have to rifle through drawers again.

Avoid a chaotic jumble of wire, wood, and plastic hangers by choosing just one type and brand of hanger.

Hang a three-tiered wire kitchen basket from the ceiling of a closet for extra storage in empty corners. Great for ties, socks, belts, etc.

Hang fabric-covered collapsing shelves from a closet rod to arrange your children’s outfits for each day of the week.

Attach delicate nails to a closet wall and drape necklaces from them; pretty and practical.

Use a decorative wooden ladder to hang magazines, towels and even clothes.

Depending on shape and size, a wine rack might store towels, magazines, and newspapers.

You can use a wooden peg rack to hang brushes or a blow dryer in a bathroom.

Repurpose a standard desktop organizer to hold bathroom essentials, such as makeup, cotton swabs, brushes, and combs.

On a tiled bathroom wall, hang a mesh lingerie bag from suction-cup hooks to store bath toys.

Take an extra travel pill box with you on your next vacation. It’s great for stashing earrings and rings.

MORE ORGANIZATION IDEAS...

For more real estate tips, give me a call.

SUSAN SIEMIONTKOWSKI COLDWELL BANKER ALFONSO REALTY 228-287-1000 OFFICE 228-239-2621 DIRECT WWW.SUSIESELLSTHECOAST.COM