Thinking Outside the Box About Spring Cleaning

March 17, 2013

Thanks to the amazing people at Sylvane, we have some awesome tips about Spring Cleaning!

Spring cleaning is a time of year that many people dread – after all, nobody likes cleaning! But this year will be different. This year you'll have some new cleaning techniques that will make things easier, faster, and even reduce the need to clean again anytime soon! This seems too good to be true, we know, but let's take a look at some of the unique methods being used by some creative household owners that have been proven to work.

Scrub-Free Toilet Cleaner

Although not something that many people keep handy, denture cleaner works wonders as a toilet cleaner. It makes sense that denture cleaner would be good at removing stains and sanitizing toilets because it was created to clean porcelain dentures, which is the same material that your toilet is made from. Just drop a few tablets into the bowl and let it go to work for you!

Robo Vacuum

The modern world runs on technology, so shouldn't your cleaning techniques keep up with the times? Using a robotic vacuum can save you hours of vacuuming, and they are quite nifty at getting into small areas and completely cleaning your carpet. Some robotic vacuum cleaners are even pet friendly, so they will steer clear of any curious animals coming around to investigate. Neato Robotics is a well-known maker of intelligent robot vacuums that are capable of this.

Easy Microwave Cleaning

Microwaves can be difficult to clean when you have to scrub all the hard, crusty buildup that has accumulated over time. You might be surprised to learn that you can clean your microwave in almost the same way that made it messy in the first place. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with about two cups of water and half a cup of white vinegar. Place it in your microwave and heat it for 3-4 minutes. When the bowl is cool enough to touch, remove it and give the inside of the microwave one good wipe. Voila!

Neato Vacuum and Cats

Newspaper Your Cabinet Tops

Lots of apartments, condos, and townhouses have prefab kitchen cabinets installed that don’t quite touch the ceiling. The tops of these cabinets need to be dusted and cleaned regularly, but they can be very difficult to reach. To make the result of your cleaning efforts last as long as possible, line the tops of your kitchen cabinets with newspapers to prevent dust from collecting directly on the cabinets themselves. The next time you’re cleaning, all you will have to do is carefully remove the old, dusty newspapers and replace them with fresh ones.

Organize Your Clutter

"For every minute spent in organization, an hour is earned." That quote by Benjamin Franklin couldn't be more true. If you want to take your organizational level up a notch, it’s time for some creative solutions! Clear some extra space in your home by looking for functional furniture pieces that allow you to organize within them. One example would be a chair bookshelf, which allows you to store your books and magazines inside your reading chair. You could always start with something simple, such as using a stylish storage chest as your coffee table. Even easier still, you could use these stackable storage cubes to create a completely custom clutter solution. Add a set of wheels to your creation and roll it around the house as needed.

Couch Cushions and Upholstery

If you don't want to pay a king’s ransom to have your couch professionally cleaned (and who does?), you can do it yourself using a steam cleaner. Most common household cleaning products release harmful chemicals into the air you breathe, which can cause serious health problems. But steam cleaning your home will actually improve your indoor air quality because steam cleaners use hot water vapor (not chemicals) to clean almost any surface, and to kill germs and bacteria.

Countertops A mixture of vinegar and water will be enough to remove most tough stains and grease from your kitchen countertops. For those hard food or make-up stains that won't come off easily, create a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water. Use the paste on a hard scrubber to clean the stubborn areas. They should come up rather easily, and again you’ve avoided using toxic chemicals!

Kitchen Cabinet Tops

Wax Your Shower Walls After cleaning your shower walls initially, a little car wax can go a long way. Waxing the inside of your shower makes it harder for soapscum, limescale, and other objects to stick to your shower walls. Never wax the floor of your shower though, as this could pose a threat because it will make the floor really slippery. There are several manufacturers that produce eco-friendly car waxes that do not contain harsh chemicals or VOCs.

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