Deep clean: Don't miss a spot with your spring cleaning this year

The season of spring cleaning is upon us! Judy Steck, owner of Squeaky Clean Cleaning Service, shares the best tips she's learned in 15 years on the job:

Prepare an arsenal of cleaning supplies.

You'll need glass cleaner, furniture polish, bathroom cleaner, surface cleaner, microfiber cloths and a really good vacuum.

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Don't get overwhelmed -- get organized.

"The main thing is being organized," says Steck. "Have everything together, know what you're getting ready to get into, and have the right stuff on hand."

Try making a list of what you need to do, and make sure you have all the right equipment for the job. For example, if you're cleaning the garage, you'll want to have a good broom, heavy duty trash bags and a shop vac. That way, you won't have to make an emergency run to the store, which will distract you from the task, not to mention burn up more time.

Be thorough.

Steck has found that the most forgotten areas in cleaning are the front of the bathroom cabinets, the light switches, lamp shades, around the top ledge of the shower, the towel racks and the tops of the kitchen cabinets. "What I recommend and what I tell my staff is that when you clean a customer's shower, always clean it top to bottom. Use a surface cleaner or whatever bathroom cleaner you clean the tub with, then wipe it down dry," she says.

You should probably dust off the towel racks and light switches every time you clean the bathroom, but you can get away with cleaning the top of the shower about every two weeks, she says. While you're at it, wipe down the baseboards as well -- they get especially dusty in the bathroom, says Steck.

For the rest of the house, baseboards should be cleaned about once a month.

The tops of the kitchen cabinets can be done less often, like with your spring cleaning.

Do a little extra with your spring cleaning.

Now is the time to clean your air vents, inside and outside windows and screens, and the window sills.

For the vents, Steck recommends popping them off the floor, washing them in warm, soapy water, and letting them air dry before you replace them. While they dry, stick the vacuum hose down into the vent to remove the dust and dirt that's settled there.

A wet washcloth and glass cleaners can be used on the windows.

GET EVEN CLEANER

Every once in awhile, these areas deserve more than a quick wipe-down:

__Dryer:__ Make sure to empty the dryer's lint trap on a regular basis. Keeping this area lint-free will increase the efficiency of a standard tumble dryer by allowing warm, moist air to flow freely out of the appliance as clothing dries. Keep in mind that some brands of dryer sheets can leave an invisible film on the lint trap. To test yours, run water through it -- if it holds water, it's suffering from build-up. If this is the case, scrub it with a stiff brush and soapy water every six months.

__Carpet:__ Vacuum at least once a week to remove the dust and debris that settles in carpet fibers on a regular basis. If you have shedding pets, or family members who suffer from allergies, you may need to vacuum more frequently. Consider deep cleaning your carpet at least twice per year to remove the dirt, stains and allergens vacuums can leave behind.

__Shower head:__ If the water pressure in your shower is less than ideal, chances are the shower head is suffering from mineral deposits that accumulate over time. To promote better water flow, remove the shower head from the wall, if possible, and soak in white vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in the sink, reattach to the wall and turn on the water to observe your shower head working at its best again.

If you can't remove the shower head, bring the solution directly to the problem: slip a rubber band tightly over the shower head, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and submerge the shower head until all holes are covered. Secure in place with the rubber band and soak 15 to 20 minutes before removing.

__Refrigerator:__ The refrigerator's condenser coils -- often in the back on older units and beneath the doors on newer models -- are instrumental in allowing the appliance to cool properly. Since dust, grime and pet hair can build up on the coils, it's important to clean them twice a year to ensure your refrigerator is running efficiently. To do this, unplug the unit, then locate the condenser coils. Vacuum them with the wand attachment of your vacuum, going back over any stubborn areas with a stiff brush if needed. If there's still grime left, you can use a rag and warm, soapy water, but make sure to let the coils dry completely before plugging the unit in again.

Source: Family Features