Spring is a beautiful time of year! It is such a shame that we have to spend a good portion of it inside cleaning, however, if you really get things right the first time, then you won’t have to keep going back and cleaning things again and again before summer hits. In today’s blog, we’re going to cover the tricky things that most people miss the first time when doing their spring cleaning. Learn about it today to save you time and stress down the road.

The Overlooked Surfaces You Touch Every Day

Think about how many times a day you touch your light switches, door handles, cabinet pulls, and drawer knobs. Now think about how rarely those surfaces actually get cleaned. Unlike countertops that get wiped routinely, these high-contact points collect bacteria, skin oils, and grime in concentrations that would surprise most people.

While you are at it, add your TV remote, keyboard, and phone to that list. These are among the most bacteria-laden surfaces in most homes and they almost never get cleaned.

Inside the Appliances, Not Just Around Them

Most people wipe down the outside of their appliances during a spring clean. Far fewer clean the inside of them with the same thoroughness.

The refrigerator is the obvious one. Pull everything out, remove the shelves and drawers, and wash them properly. Wipe down the interior walls and ceiling. Check the door seals for mold or food residue, which accumulates in the folds and is almost never addressed. Pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum the coils at the back, which collect dust and cause the appliance to run less efficiently over time.

The oven gets a similar treatment. Even self-cleaning ovens leave residue that needs to be wiped away. Do not forget the oven door glass, the drawer underneath, and the drip pans on the stovetop.

Your dishwasher also needs cleaning despite the fact that it runs with soap and water constantly. Remove and rinse the filter at the bottom, which traps food debris over time. Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar placed upright on the top rack.

Vents, Registers, and What Is Behind Them

Your HVAC vents and registers circulate air throughout your entire home. They also collect dust, pet hair, and allergens that get redistributed into the air every time the system runs. Remove the covers, wash or wipe them down, and vacuum inside the duct opening as far as the attachment will reach.

Check your bathroom exhaust fan. Remove the cover and clean the fan blades, which are typically coated in a thick layer of dust that significantly reduces the fan's ability to pull moisture out of the room. That moisture is what leads to mold and mildew buildup over time, so keeping the fan functional is more important than most people realize.

If you have not had your air ducts professionally cleaned in several years, spring is a good time to consider scheduling it.

Soft Surfaces That Harbor More Than You Think

Upholstered furniture, mattresses, and rugs accumulate dust mites, dead skin cells, pet dander, and allergens far faster than hard surfaces do. Vacuuming helps, but it does not get everything.

Flip or rotate your mattress and vacuum both sides. Spot treat any stains. Consider a mattress protector if you do not already use one. Wash your pillows according to their care labels, not just the pillowcases.

For upholstered furniture, vacuum thoroughly using the crevice attachment along the seams and under the cushions. If your sofa or chairs are looking dull, a professional upholstery cleaning can restore them significantly and remove buildup that vacuuming leaves behind.

Area rugs benefit from a deep clean as well, either professionally or with a thorough wash if the size allows.

The Walls And Baseboards

These are classic spots that most people simply do not think about until they are impossible to ignore. Walls accumulate scuffs, grease splatters near the kitchen, and a general film of dust and residue that builds up gradually. Wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth, paying extra attention to the areas around light switches and door frames.

Baseboards are among the most neglected surfaces in any home. They collect a surprising amount of dust, hair, and debris and are rarely cleaned between deep cleans. A damp cloth or a dryer sheet along the top edge of the baseboard picks up dust and leaves a light coating that resists future buildup.

Windows From the Inside Out

Most people clean the glass. Fewer people clean the window tracks, sills, and frames, which collect dead insects, dirt, and moisture residue over the winter months. Use a vacuum attachment first to pull out debris from the tracks, then wipe them down with a damp cloth. The difference in how your windows look and operate is noticeable.

If your windows have screens, remove them and rinse them with a hose or wipe them down before reinstalling. Dirty screens block light and airflow more than clean ones.

For The Road

Taking time to get your spring cleaning done right can make all the difference in the world. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!