Spring is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing…time for spring cleaning!  If you’re anything like me, you’re starting to notice every little neglected crevice and you’re itching to get your entire home spotless.  From top to bottom, it’s time to get your home ready for summer barbecues and out-of-town visitors.  There are a few tasks that you probably leave for a couple times a year, and one of these cleaning tasks is most likely carpet cleaning.  If you’re determined to do it yourself, these spring carpet cleaning tips will remove stubborn spots and erase all the effects of kids, pets, and good ol’ fashioned living.

Spots

Start by identifying the most obvious spots and stains.  Spot treatment should be done during daylight hours because that’s when it’s easiest to find even the faintest stains.  Use sticky notes to mark all the spots and then give each area your undivided attention.  White vinegar and baking soda are all you need to safely and naturally remove stubborn stains.  First pour a little vinegar on the stain and then sprinkle baking soda over the area.  For minor stains, let the mixture sit until it dries and then vacuum it away.

For more serious stains, allow the vinegar and baking soda for sit for at least 30 minutes and then gently rub or blot the stain with a cloth soaked in warm water.  Again, let the vinegar dry completely and then go over the spot with a vacuum cleaner.  Vinegar and baking soda will work on most types of stains from pet to food and everything in between!

Steam Cleaning

Once you’ve addressed all the spot stains on your carpet, a general steam cleaning is all you have left to do.  Steam cleaners can often be rented from local supermarkets or big-box chains, or you might even want to invest in a steam cleaner of your own.  Either way, one pro-tip that will save you money is to use white vinegar as your cleaning solution.  There are a wide range of commercial carpet cleaners available on the market, but vinegar is a very effective cleaner that also helps to remove odors without exposing your pets and family to harsh chemicals.  Mix equal parts vinegar and water in your steam cleaner’s tank and you’ll have a great solution that doesn’t leave residue on your carpets.

Now all you have to do is run your steam cleaner over all your carpets just like you’d do with a vacuum cleaner.  For the best results, make sure to let your carpets dry thoroughly before walking on them.  Oh, and if you’re worried about the vinegar smell in your home, it’ll be gone before the carpets are dry!

We’re approaching that time of year again, when we drop everything and focus our efforts on spring cleaning.  To clearing out your storage and getting rid of those clothes you never wear to steam cleaning carpets and washing windows, spring is most definitely in the air.

Cleaning windows can be a challenging task, so let’s discuss some simple tips for streak-free window cleaning inside and out.

Let’s Get Natural

Whether you have two windows or ten, using harsh chemicals to clean them is not only a poor choice for the environment, but also for your family.  More and more homeowners are looking to natural cleaning alternatives because of their health and cost benefits.  For example, a simple and safe window cleaner is a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water.  Vinegar helps remove marks and streaks from glass – simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and you’re ready to go.

Another natural cleaning method involves using an antibacterial window cloth and water.  These cleaning cloths are inexpensive and available at most home supply stores; plus, they can be cleaned in your washing machine and reused again and again.  They’re a great addition to your home cleaning equipment.

Cleaning Inside

It’s not like window cleaning is rocket science.  Whatever supplies you intend to use, you just want to make sure to clean all your windows thoroughly.  This includes cleaning out your window tracks which will help ensure they open and close easily.  One simple tip for cleaning window tracks is to use an inexpensive or used toothbrush.  A great choice for cleaning tracks is a disposable, battery-operated electric toothbrush.  Scrub the tracks thoroughly with warm, soapy water and then just wipe clean with a cloth.

Cleaning Outside

So, you’re window cleaning adventures aren’t really finished until you’ve cleaned the outside of your windows as well.  For most windows, a squeegee and a bucket of warm, soapy water will do the trick.  Start with a cloth submerged in the soapy water and wipe each of the windows.  Then, take your squeegee to remove excess soap and water and you’ll be sure to notice a drastic improvement in the clarity of your windows.  Sometimes, outside windows can be very dirty, and you might find that a soft scrub brush is necessary to remove stubborn spots.  Another tip is to use a steam cleaner for your windows.  It really makes the job very quick and easy, and since you’re only cleaning with steam, it’s an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for cleaning exterior windows.

Perhaps the most important tip to follow is to put your safety first.  Some of your exterior windows may be on the 2^nd floor or higher, so you’ll need to have a ladder and a buddy to spot you.  If you’re not comfortable climbing up on a ladder, hire a professional.