7 Spring Cleaning Tips From Cleaning Professionals

Spring is the time to clean up and refresh! While a clean, tidy home is always a welcome change in the spring, the process of spring cleaning can be daunting.

That's why we reached out to some cleaning professionals to find out how they approach spring cleaning in their own spaces and to learn a few tips and tricks for freshening up our own rooms.

1. Always make a plan
I'm a fan of good planning, so I start with a walk-through of the house to determine what needs to get done and create a schedule. If you have curtains that need dry cleaning, make an appointment with the contractor to take them down before spring cleaning (or on the weekend). If you have very high ceilings that need to be cleaned by a professional, schedule it and get it done first. Use a checklist and focus on the areas that don't get cleaned regularly, like under cabinets and behind furniture.

2. Look for air leaks
As tempting as it may be, don't skip a quick walk-through of your home to make sure there are no defective cracks or openings in window panes and doors. Any air leak, no matter how small, could lead to a bigger problem and result in poor insulation.

3. Clean from the top
I always clean from the top down. When you clean shelves, cabinets, and the top of your refrigerator, the dust spreads to countertops and floors, which you clean next. Stay organized. Clean from top to bottom and left to right so you don't retrace steps.

4. Clean the carpets
While you probably vacuum regularly, use this time of year to really clean the carpets. Our carpets are the biggest air filter in our homes. A thorough cleaning can reset that filter and keep not only our carpets fresh, but the air fresh as well. I also open all the windows (weather permitting) to help dry the carpets and get fresh air into the rooms.

5. Don't forget the windows
After a harsh winter, make sure the sun comes back in: clean all the windows! As soon as the weather warms up, it's a good idea to clean all the windows and glass from winter weather. You can go beyond your usual window cleaning tools this year with an unexpected recycling and cleaning combination. To get streak-free glass, use a 3:1 mixture of water and white vinegar and wipe with old newspapers. Newspaper soaks up the liquid and cleans more efficiently than paper towels. If you don't have newspapers available, use paper coffee filters.

6. Dust with dryer sheets
When it's time to dust, experts recommend swapping out your usual rag for dryer sheets. Dryer sheets are great for cleaning surfaces where dust accumulates, such as ceiling fan blades and lights, baseboards and lampshades. The anti-static property of the sheets prevents dust from sticking to the cleaned surface.

7. Get to grips with stubborn stains using toothpaste
Conventional toothpaste, not the gel variety, is an excellent cleaning agent. It can be used to remove coffee stains, soap residue and even crayon marks on the wall. Put a small amount on a clean cloth and dampen it. You can use it to clean porcelain sinks and toilets, chrome and tiles.