Now that the weather is changing and fall is here, the focus of your home transfers from outside to inside. That’s why fall is a good time to both clean up your from summer and prepare for cooler temperatures.
Here are a few ways you can prepare the inside of your home for winter:
Get your rugs professionally cleaned. During the summer and fall, a lot of mud can be tracked inside, especially if you have pets. Wait until the ground has firmed up and the “mud season” is over and invest in a professional rug cleaning. If you do this once or twice each year you will definitely extend the life of your rugs. Wash throw rugs in the washing machine.
Clean ceiling fan blades with a soft cloth and reverse the direction so the warm air will blow down in the winter.
Clean blinds with a soft cloth, wash window treatments or have dry cleaned.
Clean out the cobwebs from the ceilings with a soft cloth, vacuum with a hose attachment or Swiffer.
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Clean all bedding, including pillows. Down pillows can be put in the dryer on the gentle cool cycle to fluff up. Store any summer bedding - cleaned - but be sure to use non-plastic if using soft storage containers.
Go through your closets. Prevent your coat closet from overflowing with out-of- season coats and boots and take 20 minutes to go through it and take out out-of-season items. If you clean what needs to be cleaned and store in plastic boxes or hanging plastic bags now, you will extend the life of your family’s outerwear and make it easier to find the items you need now. Likewise, go through your and your children’s clothes and purge any unwearables, give away any that you can’t use anymore, and store everything else. Wash all clothing items before storing, donating or passing on.
Remove your screens and put up your storm windows. If you have an old house where the screens must completely come off, take this time to correctly label which window with which each screen goes with masking table if you haven’t done so in the past. Wash windows and screens with glass cleaner or make your own with one cup water mixed with one cup vinegar in a spray bottle.
Go through the garage and toss anything that’s broken or incomplete like kids’ sand toys that are broken or outdoor toys that are missing parts. Organize items that are to be kept in labeled bins.
Have your furnace and any fireplaces inspected now, before cold weather hits and you realize there is a problem. It is recommended you do this once a year, and fall is the perfect time.
Happy fall!
10.02.08 @ 10:44 am
I have tried and tried again, to get the dirt, grim, soapscum, etc. off of my shower enclosure. I am at wits end, please help with a simple solution.
Thank you in advance,
Michelle
10.02.08 @ 2:53 pm
Michelle, get Lysol cleaner. It is in aclear bottle and the cleaner is yellow in color…spray your shower leave on for about 3-5 mins spray once more and wipe of with hot water…you have no idea how great this stuff works! i swear by it! it is actually a kitchen cleaner i believe but works wonders on soap scum!!
10.02.08 @ 3:00 pm
That is something we all have problems with. But once it is clean, keep it that way and you’ll be so happy.
I spray bleach on the enclosure. Let it sit, for the day, and then tomorrow when you get into the shower, take along a scrubber and go at it. May take a few days to get it done, but just keep doing it and you’ll be surprised just how easy it is. Good Luck!
10.02.08 @ 3:14 pm
Lemon Oil-it works wonders. It will wipe right off.
10.02.08 @ 7:26 pm
I keep my glass shower doors clean by using a squeegie - after each shower, take a few seconds to squeegie the doors - works wonders at keeping the water spots off the doors.
10.03.08 @ 7:59 am
Use that lysol tub and tile with the blue top its does a great job spray your shower wait 20 minutes and the scum wipes right off
10.03.08 @ 8:17 am
If you want to try something non-toxic and alot cheaper than buying the good cleaning products, try lemon juice, vinegar and a little dawn dish soap. It took the hard water stain in my sink right out and I had tried lime-away and lysol bathroom. My fiancee used the above mixture and my sink looks brand new.
10.06.08 @ 12:53 pm
Heat some vinegar in the microwave for about 40 seconds and pour into a spray bottle. Spray everything down and let sit for about 10 minutes. Scrub down with a nylon scrubbie pad. Rinse and your done!
10.06.08 @ 12:57 pm
Don’t forget the chimneys too!
10.06.08 @ 6:51 pm
BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR WITH WATER, IT WILL HAVE THEM SPARKLING IN NO TIME.
10.07.08 @ 9:32 am
andrea
can you give me the measurements of the lemon juice vinigar and dawn deturgent oi can make it correctly
thank you very much pattie
11.11.08 @ 10:32 pm
Once you get ur shower, and doors clean…then use the lemon oil or better yet, go to wall mart & buy Rain X, (in the car area), and it will keep shower doors cleaner for a LONG time……and yes the squeegie (prevention) help before you have a problem.
Best of luck & Happy Cleaning!
oh and the blinds….use a micro fiber cloth with a lil’ Endust (sprayed on the cloth, NOT the blinds), this will help them stay dust proof!
(bet ya Know what I do for a Living)…
yes, own Cleanin Co.