If you live in southeastern Wisconsin, you’ve been waiting for spring to arrive. The long cold winter, days that tease us with warmer temperatures, followed by another day of snow, it feels like it will never end! Spring also means it’s time to get your custom home restored and refreshed. Like a spring rain that washes away the dirt left behind from winter, a good, deep spring clean-up will do the same for your home. Spring cleaning will help you get organized and carry the fresh-start feeling to get you ready to move into the summer. Below are some of the best DIY spring cleaning tips to declutter your custom home for the new season.

1. Use lemon to clean your faucets throughout the house

This spring, make faucets clean and sparkly by rubbing a lemon half on the water stains. The citric acid helps remove hard water marks. The fresh lemon smell will freshen your house as well.

2. Clean with vinegar

If you like to clean with a natural product, vinegar is a perfect option. It can dissolve the mineral deposits that accumulate in showerheads over time, causing reduced pressure and water flow. It’s perfect for countertops and tile too. To clean your showerheads, simply fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and leave it overnight to get rid of buildup. Run the shower before you use the shower to get rid of the vinegar smell.

3. Baking soda– the perfect way to clean stainless steel

Whether you’re cleaning a sink or stove, simply sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with a sponge. If you need more heavy-duty scrubbing power, add salt to the baking soda.

4. Make your dirty windows shine

Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the windows and mirrors and scrub with newspaper for a streak-free window or mirror. The ink acts as a mild abrasive and allows you to make use of old newspapers. No newspaper laying around? Paper towel works too.

5. Organize your fridge and cabinets with rotating turntables

Clean out the refrigerator and your cabinets and throw out old condiments and spices. When reorganizing, purchase some lazy susans to make for extra space and less clutter. They come in a variety of sizes for any space.

6. Place a wet dryer sheet on your ceramic stovetop to remove burnt-on residue

Dryer sheets are non-abrasive and a great way to remove burnt-on food from your stove. Place the wet dryer sheet on your stovetop for at least 15 minutes before rubbing the gunk away.

7. Grilling season requires a clean grill

You may not have used your grill over the winter months, so get your grill cleaned up and ready for the warm weather. Heat it up and spray some white vinegar onto the grates to help loosen the residue, and scrub the area firmly with a wire brush.

8. Rotate your closet

It’s time to move the heavy sweaters out of reach and replace them with your lighter spring clothing. Rearranging your closet and dresser drawers to find your spring and summer clothing makes for an easier day when what you need is easy to get to.

9. Know your couch or rug before cleaning it

If you are going to clean upholstered furniture or your rugs, don’t cause damage by using the wrong cleaner. Not all manufacturer labels state what type of solvent to use. Familiarize yourself with the cleaning codes below.

Upholstery Cleaning Labels:

W: Use water-based cleaning solutions.
S: Use dry-cleaning solvents. Do not saturate. Do not use water.
S-W: Use water-based cleaners or dry-cleaning solvents.
X: Use a vacuum or brush only.

10. Clean your air vents

Don’t let that dust build up for another minute; be sure to get between and behind your vents and wipe between the slats. After cleaning all of the vents, open the windows and run your central air to fill your home with fresh spring air (just be sure your heat or AC isn’t on while you’re running the fan).

11. Clean the those cobwebs

If your custom home is on a lake, you are very familiar with the cobwebs and the dust that can collect in room corners and on ceiling fans. Wipe them away by securing a towel over the bristle end of a broom with a large rubber band or with an extending dusting wand that allows you to get to high, difficult-to-reach places.

12. Declutter

It’s one simple word that can also be daunting. Spring is a perfect time to get rid of the items in your home you no longer need. Don’t let it overwhelm you or try to attack your entire house at once. Chose one room, or even one closet, at a time, as you go, sort into three piles, donate, throw away or sell.

13. Organize and freshen up

Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, give your home a thorough cleaning.
● Empty your kitchen fridge and thoroughly clean it
● Sweep and vacuum under your large appliances, like the stove and the fridge, and larger furniture pieces, like dressers, desks, and beds.
● Wash the windows, inside and out.
● Clean blinds and take any curtains or drapes to the cleaners.
● Clean your bedding. Don’t just wash your sheets; wash your pillows, mattress covers, comforters and blankets as well.
● Clean your upholstery, or hire a professional to do it.
● After these more thorough tasks, do your usual scrubbing, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming. Then, open the windows, and let the fresh air in.

14. Change your air filters in your furnace and HVAC

This is one of the most important things to do when spring cleaning. Replace your standard filter with a more robust one with a high MERV rating. It will help keep you healthier as you enter spring because it
will catch smaller, irritating particles. Air conditioner ducts build up dust during winter, and upgraded filters catch unwanted particles so they don’t enter your home. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you’re breathing clean, healthy air, and eliminates allergens as well.