Room-by-Room: 7 High-Impact Cleaning Tasks
by
BrightNest
Have you ever heard of the 80-20 rule? It basically says that for many events in life, 80 percent of the results come from 20 percent of the work. This ratio is big in the business world, but it can apply to spring cleaning, too!
How? Well, your spring cleaning checklist is full of tasks to do, but we think only about 20 percent of them are the real heroes. (Meaning high-impact tasks that get you closer to that awesome, freshly-cleaned spring feeling you’re hunting.)
Who are these elusive spring cleaning 20-percenters? We’ll introduce them to you, room-by-room! http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
Living Room: Shampoo the Carpet
A shampoo’s effect on your carpet is one of those things you have to see to believe! If it’s been a while since your last shampoo sesh, this can literally change the color of the carpet by several hues.
You can rent the gear for $50-$75, but keep in mind that a professional has special equipment (like a truck-mounted cleaner) that will usually do a better job of tackling deep stains.
Kitchen: Clear Your Countertops (for Good!)
A quick de-clutter of your kitchen countertops is nice, but you’ll need to go a little further if you want to achieve high-impact status.
Here’s the trick: organize strategically so your countertops stay clear from now until next Christmas. You can do this by either removing a appliance (microwave, blender, etc.) or adding some all-purpose storage like these white ceramic canisters from Le Chef.
Bedroom: Refresh Your Linens: http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
When you’re gunning for big impact changes in your home, it helps to focus on items that cover the most surface area. In your bedroom, that’s probably your duvet. If you have a bright, springy duvet cover that hasn’t seen the light of day in a few months, break it out!
If you don’t have a duvet that says, “It’s spring, and I came to party!” that can be easily remedied. Something like this clementine and coral pattern from Crane & Canopy will do the trick!
Bathroom: Polish Your Porcelain
For your bathroom, take a page out of Houdini’s book and employ some classic misdirection. Even if your shower curtain’s a little dingy, nobody will notice if the porcelain in your bathroom is awe-inspiringly polished.
The best way to shine your porcelain is with a soft cloth and some baby oil. Apply a few drops of the oil to the cloth and buff the toilet until it feels dry. The dirt will be gone and your toilet will shine.
Tip: If you find any rust stains during your buffing, you can remove them with a pumice stone.
Laundry Room: Ditch Those Ugly Detergent Bottles
No disrespect to Mr. Clean, but most cleaning products’ unsightliness is matched only by their tendency to multiply. Take control of your detergent by pouring it into classic glass jars – it’s a stylish way to keep track of your products and minimize clutter.
Entryway: Doormat Rejuvenation: http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
There are a lot of ways to make your entryway more inviting, but there’s one huge factor in the first impression: your doormat. People usually glance down when they wipe off their feet or take off their shoes, so guests will notice right away if they see a dirty or stained doormat.
To learn how to clean your doormat, read: Clean the Mats in Your Home.
Basement: Add Pleasant Aromas
For most people, the biggest obstacle that holds their basement back from springtime greatness is the swamp-like smell. Since basements are generally below ground, they’re prone to a damp, mildew-like aroma. To remove the smell, we recommend a two-pronged approach. First, set up a dehumidifier to cut down on the moisture. Second, place a few all-natural air fresheners around the space.
Note: If you basement really smells, it’s worth doing a quick mold inspection to make sure there isn’t a more serious problem occurring. If you’d rather hire a professional to fight the mold, visit Angie’s List to find a service provider in your area.
More tips and tricks: http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
How? Well, your spring cleaning checklist is full of tasks to do, but we think only about 20 percent of them are the real heroes. (Meaning high-impact tasks that get you closer to that awesome, freshly-cleaned spring feeling you’re hunting.)
Who are these elusive spring cleaning 20-percenters? We’ll introduce them to you, room-by-room! http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
Living Room: Shampoo the Carpet
A shampoo’s effect on your carpet is one of those things you have to see to believe! If it’s been a while since your last shampoo sesh, this can literally change the color of the carpet by several hues.
You can rent the gear for $50-$75, but keep in mind that a professional has special equipment (like a truck-mounted cleaner) that will usually do a better job of tackling deep stains.
Kitchen: Clear Your Countertops (for Good!)
A quick de-clutter of your kitchen countertops is nice, but you’ll need to go a little further if you want to achieve high-impact status.
Here’s the trick: organize strategically so your countertops stay clear from now until next Christmas. You can do this by either removing a appliance (microwave, blender, etc.) or adding some all-purpose storage like these white ceramic canisters from Le Chef.
Bedroom: Refresh Your Linens: http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
When you’re gunning for big impact changes in your home, it helps to focus on items that cover the most surface area. In your bedroom, that’s probably your duvet. If you have a bright, springy duvet cover that hasn’t seen the light of day in a few months, break it out!
If you don’t have a duvet that says, “It’s spring, and I came to party!” that can be easily remedied. Something like this clementine and coral pattern from Crane & Canopy will do the trick!
Bathroom: Polish Your Porcelain
For your bathroom, take a page out of Houdini’s book and employ some classic misdirection. Even if your shower curtain’s a little dingy, nobody will notice if the porcelain in your bathroom is awe-inspiringly polished.
The best way to shine your porcelain is with a soft cloth and some baby oil. Apply a few drops of the oil to the cloth and buff the toilet until it feels dry. The dirt will be gone and your toilet will shine.
Tip: If you find any rust stains during your buffing, you can remove them with a pumice stone.
Laundry Room: Ditch Those Ugly Detergent Bottles
No disrespect to Mr. Clean, but most cleaning products’ unsightliness is matched only by their tendency to multiply. Take control of your detergent by pouring it into classic glass jars – it’s a stylish way to keep track of your products and minimize clutter.
Entryway: Doormat Rejuvenation: http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
There are a lot of ways to make your entryway more inviting, but there’s one huge factor in the first impression: your doormat. People usually glance down when they wipe off their feet or take off their shoes, so guests will notice right away if they see a dirty or stained doormat.
To learn how to clean your doormat, read: Clean the Mats in Your Home.
Basement: Add Pleasant Aromas
For most people, the biggest obstacle that holds their basement back from springtime greatness is the swamp-like smell. Since basements are generally below ground, they’re prone to a damp, mildew-like aroma. To remove the smell, we recommend a two-pronged approach. First, set up a dehumidifier to cut down on the moisture. Second, place a few all-natural air fresheners around the space.
Note: If you basement really smells, it’s worth doing a quick mold inspection to make sure there isn’t a more serious problem occurring. If you’d rather hire a professional to fight the mold, visit Angie’s List to find a service provider in your area.
More tips and tricks: http://bit.ly/O1C3Xp
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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