Spring Cleaning Hacks To Get Your New Home In Shape For Summer

Ah, it’s that time of year again, when everything seems to jump back to life. If you are one of the millions of Americans who bought a new home last year, you’ll want to know our top secret tips for getting your newly bought home in tip-top shape for the summer.

Sealing Your Granite Counter tops

Start off with cleaning all items off your granite counter tops and wiping down  with a damp rag to remove any dust off of the surface. Next, take an granite sealer (these can be picked up at your local grocery or hardware stores) and begin by spraying each granite surface with the sealer. Follow instructions on the back of the bottle, and wipe off sealer after recommended time. Next, allow time for the granite sealer to dry on the surface (once again time is denoted on the back of your sealer). Granite is a porous material and is recommended to be sealed either by yourself or by a professional at least every 6 months to 2 years.

Keep Track Of Your Time

Using an egg timer or your phone to keep track of how long you clean is a simple and easy way to keep you on track. Cleaning can be monotonous and your mind may wander to less productive things. Cleaning in short intervals can help you get more done in less time. Another positive effect of this practice is that you can find out how long your cleaning tasks take to complete and use those completion times as a guide to scheduling your cleaning in the future.

Put Wax On Your Stovetop

Yes, you can actually wax your stovetop! It will not only make it sparkle but also make spills much easier to clean up.

Give Your Microwave Some TLC

Before you scrub down your microwave, put in a container with a mixture of water and white vinegar and microwave on high for a few minutes. This steaming will loosen dirt and grime and make cleaning much easier.

Wash Your Windows On A Cloudy Day

Putting any kind of chemical cleaner on your windows during a sunny day can make the spray dry and leave a bad residue. Cleaning your windows on a cloudy day will enable you to completely clean your windows with no residue.

Redirect Your Future Clutter 

By making a space specifically for clutter (a sectioned off place inside of a closet is perfect) you can avoid all of your hard work cleaning going to waste. Empty bins, clothing hooks, etc. can also help to curb the chaos that life brings.

Use Fabric Sheets Instead of Expensive Electrostatic Dusters

Fabric sheets can be an inexpensive alternative to those special electrostatic dusters (you know the one). We like to use ones that have already been through the dryer, as they don’t have conditioners in them and seem to pick up dust a little better. 

Use Lazy Susans To Avoid Spills In The Refrigerator

Use a lazy susan to optimize storage space and keep spills to a minimum.

Save Your Single Socks

Socks are one of the best household tools for cleaning in tough-to-reach places and dusting due to their ability to hold static electricity (like the fabric sheets).

Don’t Forget To Clean Your Shower Head 

Take a plastic bag filled with white vinegar and put it around your shower head. Use a rubber band to secure the bag and leave it overnight. The acidic nature of the vinegar will help break up hard water gunk and other residue and help keep your shower water flowing well.

Use Baking Soda To Make Cleaning Your Oven Easier

All you need to make an otherwise daunting task a little easier is to add equal parts water and baking soda together to form a cleaning paste. Spread this paste all over your oven (avoiding heating elements) and let it sit overnight. Come back and wipe everything clean the next day. If you have any leftover baking soda, just spritz some vinegar over the area and it will foam up, making it easier to find.

Using simple cleaning hacks like these will help your new home feel like new again.