It’s That Time of Year Again -- Spring Cleaning!

The days are growing longer, and I am seeing the sun increasingly outside my window. This means spring is on its way, and with it will come spring cleaning. Getting things tidy after a lengthy winter and airing the house out include two things I look forward to every year.Rake the garden beds outRemove all dead plants, rake leaves out left over from the previous year and add new mulch to the garden beds. You would be shocked how much of an improvement this easy spring cleaning task will make when guests see your house from the street.Clean the windowsCleaning the windows makes a huge difference both outside and inside the house. Your home will appear better from the outside; clean windows allow more light in the house. While you are at it, take your curtains down, wash them then drop off the drapes at your dry cleaners.Shampoo the carpetsSpring includes an excellent time to shampoo the carpets to extract stains, dirt or odors. You may rent a carpet cleaner, or you can spot treat stains using a mix of vinegar and baking soda applied as a paste then vacuumed as dry.Spring clean the doorsTake some time to wipe the window casings and doors down with water and vinegar to extract any fingerprints or smudges. Add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil for a clean, fresh scent.Clean grout between tilesWhether there are tiles on your floor, the backsplash inside your kitchen or around the bathtub, you might’ve seen that the grout is appearing dirty. To quickly clean it, sprinkle some baking soda on your grout then gently rub it in using your fingertip. Then, with a spray bottle filled up with white vinegar, spray your grout and allow it to sit. Just permit it to work for a couple of minutes then wipe it away using a damp sponge.Declutter and dust shelvesRemove all the electronics, knickknacks and books from the shelves. Dust your doors, shelves, and every item carefully before you return it. Take some time to declutter the space while you are working.