It's time to spring clean your Lake Carmel home!

3/31/2017 (Permalink)

Try this trick for those hard to clean window blinds!

I think it's safe to say that Spring has finally come to Putnam County! Six months of closed windows, snow being tracked in  and, for many of us, wood stove and fireplace dust accumulating has taken it's toll on our homes.   It's time to open the windows, let some fresh air in your home and spring clean.  Here we share some of our favorite house cleaning tricks. 

Floors – Move your furniture in order to get those spots that were missed all winter. Consider using a wood floor restoration product, which can be purchased at a local home improvement store, on your floors to give them a new shine! Carpets should be vacuumed and stains can be spot cleaned. The SERVPRO of Putnam County crew can come to your home and give your carpets a professional cleaning to give your carpets a fresh start. 

Ceiling Fans – Admit it, these probably haven't been cleaned since last year. Using a damp rag, wipe both sides of the fan to remove that layer of dust.  

Windows- These will need to be cleaned inside and out. Use a rag and soapy water, and then dry them with another rag. You can also go to an auto-parts store and buy a windshield squeegee, which cleans very well. Your window screens can be cleaned with a dry scrap of carpet, which works as a brush and removes the dirt from the tiny spaces! 

Window coverings should be cleaned as well. Drapes and curtains can be removed and put them through the air-fluff cycle in the dryer along with a wet towel (to draw off the dust) for 15 minutes. Hang them back in the windows immediately. 

Window blinds can be cleaned by placing a microfiber cloth on each side of a pair of tongs with a rubberband, dipping in a 50/50 vinegar and water solution and wiping each blind slat with the tongs.  

Faucets - If there is lime build up around your faucets, you can remove it with this trick.  Lay paper towels over the fixture, soak it with vinegar and let it set for an hour. The deposits will soften and become easier to remove with a cleaning rag. 

Your refrigerator most likely needs a scrub down as well. A very effective refrigerator cleaner is a combining  salt and club soda. The bubbling action of the club soda combines with the abrasive texture of the salt to make a great cleaner. 

If the showerhead in your bathroom is looking grimy and perhaps spraying unevenly, give a deep clean. Mix vinegar with water in a plastic baggy and secure it around your shower head with a twisty tie. Let the solution soak for 30 minutes and remove. You can follow up with a scrub a toothbrush to remove the remaining grime.  

Freshen your bed! Sprinkle your mattress with baking soda (you can add your favorite essential oil to it if you like a scent!). Let sit for 20 minutes and vacuum it up. On a nice sunny day, hang comforters and blankets outside to freshen up.