While you might have plenty to do with your usual cleaning routine, some parts of the home don’t get touched nearly as regularly. After all, doing a deep clean every week isn’t sustainable. But, if your home is starting to feel a little too lived in and you want to give it a breath of fresh air, there are a few tasks that you don’t have to wait until spring to take on. Here are some of the best essential cleaning tasks to make your home feel new.
Wash Your Carpets and Rugs
A few parts of the home bear the brunt of daily living, including your carpets and rugs. They collect dirt from feet and shoes, dust, pet dander, and even the allergens that naturally flow through the home. Vacuuming these soft furnishings can help maintain them but it’s not enough. Over time, many of these particles sink deep into the fabric fibers, dulling their appearance. Avoid letting these particles nestle too deep by renting a carpet cleaner that can fully wash and revitalize these surfaces. You might even want to use a steam cleaner for the highest traffic areas or particularly grimy spots.
Scrub the Oven
If you’ve just gotten through the holidays, then it’s likely that your oven has been put to the task recently. Even if you didn’t do much holiday cooking, months of grease and grime buildup can make your oven a pretty gnarly sight. If you’ve avoided looking directly into your oven for a while now, it’s time to clean it thoroughly. Remove the racks and soak them in warm soapy water before thoroughly cleaning them. For the oven itself, you’ll need either a commercial oven cleaner or a DIY mix (usually using baking soda and vinegar as the primary ingredients) to help break down the food residue and built-up grease inside. Be sure to use a damp cloth to wipe everything down after scrubbing them clean.
Wipe Your Tiles
Don’t ignore your tiles. Even the tiles in your shower, which get splashed by water regularly, need some care. Aside from the fact that they accumulate dirt and soap scum, they are havens for mold, as well. The mold that gathers between your tiles can spread, greatly affecting the health and hygiene of your space. Use a mild cleaner and a scrub brush on the bathroom and kitchen tiles. Be sure to scrub extra deep in those grout lines. If the mold isn’t going away, you should make a DIY mold-killing mix (typically just vinegar and water) to disinfect the space.
Clean Your Windows
If you want your home to look and feel fresh, crystal-clear windows play an important role. If your windows are dirty, dusty, or streaked, you won’t get as much natural light in your rooms. It makes them look darker and grubbier. Cleaning the inside and outside of your windows is vital to keeping your spaces bright. Of course, this can be time-consuming for the whole home, so finding window cleaning services can be vital. Especially if you have windows on the upper floors that might be dangerous to reach yourself.
Clear Your Vents
If you have frequent problems with dust build-up and worsening air quality, your home likely isn’t getting enough circulation. Your HVAC system is vital to maintaining your air quality and comfort indoors. Dust, debris, and allergens can build up in your vents, blocking them and spreading dust throughout the home. Thankfully, cleaning the vents and replacing the filters isn’t too difficult. Wash vent covers in warm water and vacuum inside to remove dust and debris. Meanwhile, your filter should be replaced every 1-3 months, depending on how quickly dust builds up.
Empty Your Gutters
While you might not notice it as much indoors, your gutters can be distracting if they get dirty enough. When your gutters become clogged with leaves, dirt, and debris, it can cause water to spill over. Not only can this cause it to flow down the side of the home, but it can even lead to leaks heading inwards. Emptying your gutters is an essential part of your routine home maintenance. If they’re too high up, you might want to hire a team to take care of them for you. Otherwise, there are gutter cleaner rental services you can use to take care of it yourself. Gutters typically need to be cleaned twice a year. Doing it in the fall is most important thanks to loose leaves flying around.
Power Wash Your Exterior
The home’s exterior, such as your driveways, walkways, decks, and siding, can build up with dirt, mold, and grime. Not only can this make them extremely unsightly, but they can become slip hazards due to the buildup. You can rent or buy a power washer that makes it much easier to target these outdoor areas. Lower pressure settings are typically recommended for more delicate surfaces, like wood or siding. You can use higher-pressure settings for stone, concentrate, and other tougher materials.
Recap: Cleaning tasks to make your home feel new
Taking the time (or hiring help) to handle the tasks can freshen up your home, helping it feel almost like new. Doing it a few months in advance might also mean you don’t have to do some of these as part of your spring clean.
Are there any cleaning tasks to make your home feel new you’d add to the list? Leave a comment and let us know.
