Hello! We’re back with Part II of our Spring Cleaning guide!

It has been a crazy month but now we’re here to for Part II of this guide so you can create the perfect spring cleaning checklist that matches your schedule and routine.

Last time, we covered how to start with your spring cleaning, and we started covering two challenging areas: your kitchen and your bathroom. Now, we will finish with the rest of your home: your office or workspace, your living room and your bedrooms.

Always keep in mind that you can adapt this guide and add or remove areas and tasks as you deem necessary.

Before we start, here’s a quick recap of the previous article: remember to set your priorities because you might not have time to actually cover each nook and cranny of your home, especially if you’re doing this on your own instead of hiring a professional service.

You will need to grab your cleaning supplies as well: you will need basic cleaning agents (vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap), your equipment (a steam cleaner, a mop and a vacuum cleaner) as well as the must-haves which are microfiber towels, sponges, and any special products for delicate surfaces, such as granite or marble.

Now, let’s move on with the rest of your rooms. Let’s go!

Spring Cleaning Step Four: Your Living Room

We all know your living room is the heart of the home and it’s not easy to keep everything in place. Besides, it’s the first room you invite your guests to spend when they visit you. The good news is, it probably takes less time than your kitchen and your bathroom.

First of all, you should declutter and organize your items. Living areas usually have a lot of surfaces, like your TV stand or your bookshelf. By taking everything out, it’s easier to wipe surfaces and drawers.

After you’ve taken all your items, start by vacuuming your empty furniture. Now, you have two choices here: you can leave it as it is or you can take an extra step and moisturize your furniture, especially if they are made from wood.

To do so, you should mix 1/2 cup of olive oil and ¼ cup of lemon juice, and wipe using a microfiber cloth. If you see any excess after you’ve finished, wipe again with a clean, dry cloth.

Next, you have your sofa and your armchairs. Here, you should be extra careful because each material should be treated differently. Some materials, such as leather and linen, need extra care and specialized products. Check the care tag for each piece of furniture, as well as the material and apply the proper product.

Spring Cleaning Step Five: Your Bedrooms

Next on the list, we have your bedrooms.

Because this is a spring cleaning guide, besides your regular cleaning steps for your bedroom, you should also wash items like your pillows, your comforters, your weighted blankets and any extra bedding you’re currently using.

According to research, pillowcases have from 3 to 5 million units of bacteria per square inch after a week since the last time they were washed. Imagine what happens to the rest of your bedding! This is why you should definitely clean all your bedding. If you don’t know how, it’s quite easy!

For your pillows, you can toss them in the washing machine. Just toss a few of them at the same time to balance the load, and wash using cold water and a delicate cycle. Some materials such as memory foam or latex, should be washed by hand only.

For comforters and heavy blankets, check the care label first to see whether they are machine washable, hand washable, or not washable at all (which means you should spot clean them only). Usually, you should use cold water, a delicate cycle, and low heat.

While your bed linen is getting washed, you might want to tackle the rest of your bedroom. A rule of thumb for cleaning is to start from top to bottom. If you have any surfaces such as nightstands, TV stands, open shelves or vanity tables, give them a good rundown. Use your vacuum (using the brush attachment) and wiping with a one-part white vinegar, one-part water mix. Make sure you wipe everything out after you finish and that the surface dries properly.

Don’t forget about vacuuming and mopping your floors, of course. If you have extra time, decluttering your closet is a great idea!

Spring Cleaning Step Six: Your Office or Workspace

Your office or workspace needs some care as well. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the number of people working from home increased remarkably and adapting their spaces to suit their professional needs.

Your current workspace at home probably has one or more of the following features: a flat surface such as a table or desk, some easy-access shelves or cabinets, and then a more private, secondary storage area. You most likely have a desk chair as well as a desktop computer or laptop as well, even if it’s not your primary tool for work.

The steps would be similar to the other areas. You need to take your office supplies, declutter and organize what you use. Then, wipe inside the drawers, cabinets or any other storage area. Wipe and disinfect your surfaces as well.

If you do have a desktop pc or laptop, make sure you clean them thoroughly as well, especially if several people in your household share the same computer. According to research, keyboards and mice are filled with bacteria, so take the necessary steps to disinfect those pieces without harming your computer, of course.

Electronics should be handled only using a microfiber cloth with the tiniest amount of water. You will probably need a small, handheld vacuum cleaner as well, and a soft-bristled brush. However, make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

Spring Cleaning Step Seven: Your Floors

Of course, we couldn’t leave your floors out of this spring cleaning guide! As mentioned above, cleaning from top to bottom is the right way. By now all your floors will probably have dust and debris all over the place.

Pretty much all types of floors require to be swept and vacuumed first. Then, depending on the type of floor you might take the next step. For example, for cleaning carpet floors you might need to use an enzyme cleaner. For tile floors, you might want to scrub with hot, soapy water.

If you need a DIY universal floor cleaner, a 1:1 vinegar and water mix is a good place to start. You can add a few drops of essential oil for a nice fragrance. Vinegar works for many types of floors such as linoleum and tile floors.

Of course, make sure all these products are safe to use on your floors first. Don’t forget to test in a small, hidden area. Vinegar is a versatile cleaner but some materials, such as marble and hardwood floors, do not get along well with it, especially with prolonged use.

In this case, it’s best to start with areas such as your kitchen and your bathroom, which probably have residues of soap, grease or oil. If you have tile floors, you can leave your cleaning product acting on the surface for 15 or 30 minutes while you take care of the rest of your home.

Bonus Tips

Now that your home looks like a million dollars, you must be feeling a bit tired but happy with the results. Here are some bonus tips so that your spring cleaning gives you the best results!

As we mentioned above, always test your cleaning products first before applying to the entire area or surface.

A good rule of thumb to start is to think of every area that you haven’t cleaned, and make sure they are a priority. This attention to detail is what sets apart a good spring cleaning from just regular cleaning. Areas and surfaces such as baseboards, ceiling fans, air vents, and windows, are often ignored.

You can’t do all cleaning chores and areas at the same time or with the same frequency. Of course, some areas demand regular care, while others need to be cleaned a few times a year. This is perfectly normal, but it also means that those areas should become your priority now.

Finally, remember not to underestimate the time and energy it takes to deep clean. By creating more realistic timetables, you will avoid getting frustrated or overwhelmed. The goal here is to make it a pleasant experience, and why not, even a fun one.

Dallas Maids’ Spring Cleaning Checklist Printable

Last but not least, we prepared a printable checklist so you can keep track of each task without forgetting. Feel free to put in on your fridge or in your agenda.

As always, remember this is only a guide. You are free to adapt it to your own household and cleaning needs. Each category has an extra line so you can fill it out with any cleaning task that you feel important for this spring cleaning.

Plus, each task has a small, empty space at the beginning. You can use this to mark each area as “completed” once you finish. Or, if you’re cleaning alongside friends, roommates, or family, you can assign a letter to each task to identify what each member needs to clean.

Remember you can share this article to your friends and family so they can get it as well!

Conclusion

It’s not easy to find a reliable cleaning service in Dallas, but don’t worry. With Dallas Maids, we got you covered and our deep cleaning service is ideal if you want to avoid a spring-cleaning on your own.

Spring cleaning can be something fun if you take the time for it, and after you see the benefits of your home that looks like brand new, you’ll want to do it again soon.

The post Spring Is Here in Dallas! Read Our Spring Cleaning Guide (Part II) appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

How to thoroughly clean your bedroom

While cleaning your bedroom daily will keep it relatively organized, it’s always necessary to do a more thorough cleaning every now and then. Usually, this task will take you about two hours (depending on how messy your room is), and you should do it at least once every month or two.

Where to start?

As always, you must ventilate your room for about 10 minutes or more, pulling open your curtains, raising the blinds and opening your windows. Once you air everything out, you can begin.

1. First, remove everything from your closet and organize your clothing, putting aside what you are not going to wear anymore, so you can donate it or throw it out later on.
2. After, gather up all scattered clothing, sheets, covers, blankets, pillowcases and put them in the laundry. Also, take out your curtains and shades and wash those, too.
3. Move your furniture so that you can clean it. Using a damp microfiber
   dishcloth, clean all surfaces thoroughly. Also make sure to clean all nooks and crannies, as well as frames, handles, doorknobs, etc.
4. Clean your doors, rails, and air conditioning unit. Be sure to rinse and wring out the dishcloth every time you use it. You might even need to use several dishcloths.
5. Vacuum every surface and all corners, as well as your upholstery and mattress. Use the thin vacuum nozzle for those.
6. Take out any paintings you might have in the room and clean them very carefully with a mildly damp cloth; both the frame and the back of the painting. Take a lot of care not to damage the painting inside. If the frame includes a glass cover, then you can clean it with a glass-cleaning solution.
7. Clean your desk lamps, light bulbs, cables, nightlights, TVs, and nightstands with a mildly damp cloth. Then, use a ladder to reach your ceiling lamp and fan and clean them from any dust that might have gathered up there.
8. Check your roof and its corners for spider webs. If you find any, use a broom covered with a slightly damp washcloth or a mop to remove them. You can also spray some insecticide in the corners to avoid future infestations.
9. Clean your windows with a commercial glass-cleaning solution or water mixed in equal parts with rubbing alcohol. Make sure to use a lint-free cloth or old newspapers to clean your windows.
10. Clean your closet. If you emptied your closet beforehand, you can then clean all its interior surfaces with a cloth that has been slightly dampened in water mixed with a few drops of white vinegar. After washing all surfaces, dry them with a clean dishcloth.
11. Finally, you can make your bed once everything is clean, replace your clothing inside the closet and perfume your room with scented candles or incense so that it smells wonderful!

Some extra tips: It’s recommended to turn your mattress (especially if it’s a spring one) over every 3 months so that it wears evenly.

Also, make sure to throw out anything that you are not going to use or is broken. And, most importantly, take out your trash regularly! Never let it pile up or your room will start to smell badly.

That’s all for now! Our tips on how to thoroughly clean your bedroom. Don’t forget to check Dallas Maids’ booking page if you need a maid service in Dallas. Also, bookmark our blog for more cleaning tips!

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How to clean your bedroom daily

So you have finished cleaning your kitchen and bathroom. Which room should you clean next? Well, probably the one you use the very most: your bedroom. After all, it’s your most personal space and you surely want to keep it organized and neat. This article will teach you the basics of daily bedroom cleaning. In general, it’s best to clean your room lightly every day and more thoroughly whenever you feel it’s necessary although it’s recommended to do it at least once every month or so.

Where to start?

This time, it’s best to start by ventilating your room before cleaning anything. Pull your curtains open, raise the blinds and open the windows. Let the air flow into the room for about 10 minutes. If the weather is nice, then you can keep the windows open for as long as you want. This will help reduce the air humidity in your room, especially in your bed, because bedbugs and mites tend to reproduce in moist environments.
Also, while your windows are open, take advantage of the opportunity to lay out your sheets and blankets in the sun. Extend them neatly over a windowsill so that they catch all the sun’s rays. This will also help dry them out and reduce humidity.

After the air in your room is nice and fresh, then you can start cleaning.

• Begin by making your bed. Make sure to shake off your sheets to both air them and remove any debris that might have gathered on them. Also be sure to extend them nicely before placing the blankets and covers on top.
• Dust your furniture. You can use a dust cloth or a feather duster to remove dust from your nightstands, the headboard and bed frame of your bed, your TV, game consoles, etc.
• Shake off your carpets every day and vacuum them once a week. If your floor does not have a carpet (it’s made of tile, wood or parquet), then clean it every couple of days with a mop. Also spray a cleaning solution all over its surface and scrub it well with a cloth. If you can, polish it.
• Clean your windows and mirrors with a commercial glass-cleaning solution or water and soap. Make sure to dry them thoroughly with a dry cloth so that no stains remain. Also, clean your window frames, so that everything looks neat.

Now that everything is clean, you can light up a scented candle or an aromatic incense to give your room a lovely smell that will last for the rest of the day.

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