How to Give Your Home the Spring Cleaning It Deserves

We are all spending a bit more time indoors right now. As spring approaches it seems like the perfect time to get some extra cleaning done. Whether you are looking to get rid of the items collecting dust in your closet or to organize the pantry, we put together a list of tips to help you create a clean and organized home, within all the uncertainty. 

First, overhaul your cleaning supplies. 

Before you start cleaning, take inventory of the products you are using. Try to get rid of products with toxins and switch to clean, all-natural products that are still just as effective.

According to the American Lung Association, it’s particularly important to avoid air fresheners and choose products that do not contain (or have reduced amounts of) VOCs, fragrances, irritants, and flammable ingredients.

Franklin West would like to give a friendly reminder not to flush disinfectant wipes down your toilets, including ones that claim to be flushable. Doing so could clog the sewer system causing major damage to your space and the apartment building as a whole.

Kick that smell in the kitchen sink. 

If you have a garbage disposal, try running lemon rind through the drain and then following it with cold water to get rid of the smell. 

Disinfect your knife block. 

The best way to prevent bacteria growth within your knife block is to thoroughly clean and dry knives before returning to storage, but it’s also a good idea to do a more vigorous cleaning once a year, according to Viola Wüsthof, CEO of WÜSTHOF knives. 

For a deep clean:

1. Submerge the knife block into a mixture of one gallon of lukewarm water and one tablespoon of household bleach. 
2. Let the wooden block soak in the mixture for two minutes. 
3. Turn upside-down onto a dry towel to air dry completely.

Dust your ceiling fans. 

In addition to keeping your house germ-free, it is also allergy season, so pesky allergens are also floating around. Protect your space by placing a drop cloth or an old sheet twice the size of the blade span, on the floor. Use an extendable wooly duster to wipe the span of the blades. Pick up the drop cloth, shake outside, and wash.

Clean your refrigerator. 

You probably wipe down your fridge’s interior shelving on the regular already, but don’t forget about the rest. Pop-out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage.

Clean windows on a shady day. 

To get those crystal clear windows you only see on commercials, wait to clean your windows on a cloudy day. When the windows are warmed by the sun, the cleaning solution can streak leaving unwanted marks. Save the window washing session for a good, cloudy Pittsburgh day. 

Clean the kids toys. 

Don’t overlook the dishwasher in dire times. It can be the perfect companion when washing kids’ (and even your dogs’!) toys. Choose the crystal or quick cycle and skip the heated dry. For stuffed animals, check the care tag first and then gather in a mesh bag or pillowcase and throw in the washer on a gentle cycle.

Purify the air. 

When the weather starts to warm up, leave the windows open for a few hours to release the stagnant air that filled your house all winter. Take this opportunity to swap out dirty filters and grab an electrostatic duster to clean grime from ceiling fans. 

Keep a clean mattress. 

Did you know we spend 3,000 hours a year in our beds? That’s the equivalent of four months! Keeping the mattress super clean, and rotating it a few times a year is important. To clean the mattress, vacuum the surface. Then, sprinkle on a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil (lavender promotes relaxation.) Let this sit for a couple of hours, then, vacuum the baking soda mixture away.

Scour the grout. 

Grout can get gross, but you don’t need harsh chemicals like bleach to get to the bottom of this mess. A homemade solution of warm water, ¼ cup of vinegar, and one tablespoon of dish soap should do the trick. 

Clean out bags or purses. 

Take everything out, toss trash, and organize items by category. Use organizers to keep small items in place, and wipe down the exterior with a disinfectant wipe while you’re at it. 

Don’t forget your cell phone. 

While we don’t always think about it, our cell phone is actually said to be dirtier than a toilet seat or the bottom of your shoe. Take the case off, swipe a disinfectant wipe over the entire surface of your phone. Then do the same to the case before replacing it.

Franklin West Resident Reminders

As guidelines change daily with COVID, Franklin West is taking extra effort to put the safety of our residents first. Here are a few reminders specific to our residents.

• Trash Disposal – make sure trash is tightly sealed. 
• Loaner Vacuum is Still Available – to borrow our “loaner vacuum,” call the office and we will have it placed right outside of your apartment door.
• Laundry Rooms are Open – we are focused on maintaining a clean and sanitized laundry rooms in our building for your safety.

There’s a lot you can accomplish while at home to continue to feel productive when you can’t run your weekly errands. Focus on spring cleaning for fulfillment instead. Looking for products to help you get organized. Check out this article featuring the best-selling organizational products on Amazon.