Easy spring cleaning tips

    Follow this simple spring cleaning checklist to get your home organized in no time.
    Around the House — Wash windows inside and out. Wipe down the sills. To clean window screens, rub them with kerosene on both sides, and then rinse them with soap and water. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside.
    To revive drab drapes, take them down, remove hooks and run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel (to attract the dust) for 15 minutes. Re-hang immediately. Wipe blinds with a damp cloth.
    Dust your home thoroughly. Take everything off shelves, tabletops and dressers to dust. Now is also the time to get to all the places you’ve been neglecting throughout the year, including ceiling fans, above kitchen cabinets and baseboards and doorways.
    Wash out trash cans. To really clean garbage cans, spray them with a hose and dump out the water. Next, spray the inside with a disinfectant spray, scrub with a handled brush and rinse. Leave them upside down to dry.
    Move furniture away from walls and clean underneath.
    Deep clean your flooring. Have your carpets professionally cleaned and wax wooden floors.
    Clean upholstered furniture. Vacuum pillows, as well as underneath the cushions. Look for stains and clean according to the care label.
    Warm weather means shutting down the heating system and turning on the air conditioning, so change all the filters.
    Look for worn grout between floor tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. A small crack in the grout or caulk can lead to an expensive repair later. If necessary, re-seal as soon as possible.
    Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials.
    Kitchen — Clean inside the refrigerator. The best cleaner is a combination of abrasive salt and bubbly soda water.
    If there’s a lime buildup around the faucet, lay paper towels over the fixture and soak it with vinegar, letting it set for one hour. The deposits will soften and become easier to remove.
    To clean chrome, glass or stainless steel appliances, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water.
    Set your oven to self-clean. Be sure to wipe up major spills before setting it to self-clean.
    Thoroughly clean the microwave.
    Organize pantry and throw out any expired foods.
    Bathrooms — For a vinyl shower curtain: Throw the shower curtain in the washing machine with a few towels, a cup of white vinegar and your detergent, then air dry.
    To remove hard-water scale or mildew on shower- and faucetheads, soak them in vinegar. If the head isn’t removable, position a plastic bag filled with vinegar over it and tape it shut.
    Bedrooms — Turn mattress.
    Launder bedding and pillows. If you change bedding for the season, air out the spring blankets before putting them on bed. Store winter bedding after having it cleaned.
    Switch out cool-weather clothing for warm-weather clothes. Be sure to wash or dry-clean winter clothing before storing.
    Home Office — Get important papers in order. Set aside all tax return information so it’s handy. Store any files from last year that need to be saved.