The weather is getting nicer and the snow is finally melting.  Spring is in the air!  The changing of the seasons is a great time to do some cleanup around the house.  Here are 12 areas of the home that could use a little TLC for Spring cleaning:

1. Closet

Clean out your closet of those clothes and shoes you don’t wear anymore and donate them to a local Goodwill. You’ll have an easier time finding things and getting ready in the morning. Starting here will set the tone for cleaning the rest of your home.

2. Bed Mattress

Throw your sheets in the wash then grab your vacuum and its crevice tool. Vacuum your mattress to get any crumbs or bugs off of the surface, then use spot cleaner to remove any stains made from late night snacking, and finally give it a spray of disinfectant.

3. Painted Walls

Over time your painted walls can be damaged by steam, dust, spills, and the sun leaving them discolored. Make sure you are using the appropriate paint in the correct rooms, and wiping them down while doing normal chores. All you need to do is get a damp cloth and wipe down your painted walls to show off the real color they are.

4. Wash the Washing Machine

Over time your machine can get smelly from water sitting in the machine, and you don’t want to wash your clothes in a stinky machine! Disinfect it with distilled white vinegar and baking soda to keep it running new and smelling fresh.

TIP: Leaving your washing machine door open until it air dries will help it from smelling too.

5. Stainless Steel Appliances

Finger prints in the kitchen and having a dirty kitchen in general is unappetizing. They don’t really live up to their name of being stainless. But just like wood steel has a grain. Find the direction of the grain on your appliance, and use a light wax-based spray to clean your appliances for a spotless shine. Going with the gain will also ensure a stainless look.

6. Inside the Oven

After cleaning the outside of your oven, open it up and scrape out the inside too! Having a dirty oven can harm your cooking and the smoke it generates can harm your painted walls in your kitchen, and conjoining rooms.

7. Inside the Refrigerator

Don’t forget to clean the inside of your refrigerator too! Those leftovers from Thanksgiving are not longer edible, so throw them out! Spring is here, so we need to fill our fridges with fruits and vegetables so we can get ready for summer.

8. Wash the Dishwasher

Just because it gets your dishes clean doesn’t mean your machine is staying clean. Get the extra food particles out of your dishwasher and run a cycle with a special cleaner and NO dishes to give the machine a good clean and fresh smell.

9. Tiled Surfaces

Be sure to know what type of stone or tile you are cleaning for cleaning it. When cleaning ceramic tile stay away from bleach and other acidic cleansers, which discolor or fade grout joints over time. Also avoid oil soaps and ammonia, which will yellow grout, and vinegar, which will damage it. To get tough stains out of your grout use a toothbrush. The bristles fit between the tiles perfectly and make your grout look fresh and new – like a new bathroom!

10. Wood Floors

You should only be wet-cleaning wooden surfaces every 1 to 2 months, and spot clean as needed. Don’t forget to protect your wood with trivets or saucers and furniture protectors.

12. Both sides of Windows

Don’t just clean the inside of your windows, go out in the great weather and give the outsides a good scrub too.

TIP: Do it on a cloudy day so the sun doesn’t dry your cleaner before you’re done wiping it. This will give it a true streak free shine!

11. Cabinets

Grease, smoke, and steam can build up on your cabinets and cause water damage. Make sure to run the exhaust hood over your stove top while cooking to lessen the build up. Find any wood cleaner or a damp cloth and wipe down your cabinets to give them a new look. If you painted your cabinets as a DIY project clean them like you would painted walls.

While many of these areas could really be cleaned at any point, taking care of them as part of your Spring cleaning will ensure it gets done at least once each year.