No one knows how, why, or when spring cleaning became such a venerable tradition. Maybe it’s because old fireplaces covered homes in a layer of soot during the winter months. It may have something to do with religious observances.
It could simply be that no one has the energy to clean in the dead of winter or the inclination to get sweaty in the balm of summer. Whatever the reason, you would do well to take some pointers before tackling that apartment in Washington, DC head-on.
Your Handy Apartment Spring Cleaning Checklist
There’s day-to-day cleaning, and then there’s spring cleaning. This is when you take on the big jobs, the tiny spaces, and the hard-to-reach places. In other words, it’s time for deep cleaning. Here are just a few undertakings you might want to focus on this spring.
Dust the Hard-to-Get-to Places
Dusting the big surfaces is easy. You probably do it all the time. It’s the little nooks, crannies, and baubles that make this one such a chore. Spring is the time to get into the corners, behind the books, around the knickknacks, and above the appliances. Also, don’t forget:
- Windowsills
- Lamps
- Picture frames
- Chair legs
- Electric wires
- Mirrors
- Computer keyboards
- And every other surface
Flip the Mattress and Change the Bedding
If you’re lucky enough to have a double-sided mattress, flip it. Experts suggest you flip your mattress every three months, but, if you only get around to it once per year, it’s better than nothing. If you don’t have a double-sided mattress, rotate it. By sleeping in a different spot whenever you notice sagging, you not only increase your comfort level, you also increase the lifespan of your mattress. You can also prepare for the warmer weather by ditching the comforter and extra blankets.
Clean Hardwood Floors
Nothing says clean more than polished hardwood floors. Here’s how to make your floors shine:
- Use a dry mop or vacuum to remove all dust and debris.
- Dampen (don’t soak) a mop with a wood-cleaning product or a mixture of vinegar and water.
- Mop the floors in the direction of the grain.
Buff the floor with a dry, clean towel to wipe up any excess liquid and add some shine.
This may be one of the most onerous jobs, at least if you’re one of the many who leaves the refrigerator to the last minute.
- Dump anything that’s stale, moldy, or past its expiration date.
- Remove all food.
- Take out the shelves and drawers.
- Soak them in a basin filled with water and dishwashing soap.
- Wipe down every surface.
- Use a mixture of baking soda and water to deal with tough stains.
Submerge Your Showerhead
It’s probably not something you think of doing every time you clean your bathroom, but that’s what spring cleaning is for, isn’t it? Finally tackling those forgotten tasks. To give your showerhead a real deep clean:
- Pour some vinegar (white or apple cider) into a plastic bag and wrap it around the showerhead.
- Seal it with a rubber band and let it soak for 30 minutes to a few hours.
- If the design makes it hard to submerge the showerhead, then just pour the vinegar over it.
Spring cleaning is not for the fainthearted, but, if you plan it right and break up the tasks, you can transform your apartment in DC in less than 20 minutes per day.