April showers might keep you from enjoying outdoor activities and sprucing up the yard, but the traditionally wet weather does give you the ideal time to do spring cleaning. Our tips, several of which come from Consumer Reports’ ShopSmart magazine, will help you tackle the grungiest of messes and make spring cleaning a bit easier.
Unless you’ve enlisted a spring-cleaning army to take on different parts of your home, tackle one room at a time. And inside each room work from the top down. For instance, in the bedroom, clean the ceiling fan first, then deal with the windows and window coverings, and then the bedding and upholstery. Save the floors for last. For more check out our tips on sprucing up for spring.
Don’t neglect your electronics, Our gadget-cleaning guide has advice for your computer and television. And when the weather does brighten, use our tips for washing your car, and find the best car wax for your ride.
Tool |
Where to use it |
Helpful hint(s) |
All-purpose brush with handle grip |
Floors |
Let the cleaning solution do most of the work, by letting it sit for a few minutes before you start scrubbing. Test it in an inconspicuous spot to make sure the stiff bristles don’t scratch. |
Angled broom |
Floors |
Hold to one side and use short strokes to sweep away from you. Use a hand vac to pick up the dust behind where the lip of the dustpan meets the floor. |
Angled, soft-bristle toilet bowl brush |
Bathrooms |
Use a twisting motion to swab the bowl, under the rim and as much of the trapway as you can. Spray or sprinkle cleaner directly onto brush, and don’t rush to flush. Toilet bowl cleaners take time to work. |
Grout brush |
Grout lines |
Spray cleaner on grout, let it sit, and then scrub using a back and forth motion. Also use the brush to clean the grunge in the tracks of a shower door and around the base of the toilet, and to eliminate mineral stains that collect near sink drains. |
Lambswool duster |
Large surfaces, including walls |
Use it instead of a feather duster. Vacuum your duster after each use to get rid of debris trapped in the fibers. |
Microfiber cloth |
Dusting and polishing surfaces and furniture |
Soft, fluffy cloths hold dust, minimizing the potential to scratch surfaces. Use less absorbent flat-weave ones for cleaning and polishing glass and hard surfaces. Don’t drench your cloth with a cleaning solution— only slightly dampen it. |
Sponge mop and bucket |
Hardwood or tile floors |
Mop with a double-pail bucket or two buckets so you don’t dirty the water you’re trying to clean with. Always use hot water so dirt will dissolve. |
Squeegee |
Windows and mirrors |
Work top to bottom, and never use a squeegee on a dry surface. A squeegee is best if you want lint- and streak-free windows. |
Toilet plunger |
Bathroom |
If needed, add some water to the bowl to loosen a slow or clogged toilet. Plungers work best when totally submerged. |
Out-of-the-ordinary tools |
||
Cloth diaper |
Surfaces |
Use it as a dusting cloth that won’t scratch surfacess |
Credit card (expired, of course) |
Kitchen |
This is an ideal way to scrape off baked-on messes in the oven or microwave. |
Damp socks |
All over |
These serve as inexpensive wipes to gently get dust off houseplants. |
Rain-X |
Bathroom |
An unusual treatment for shower doors, this product helps repel water and keeps the surface cleaner longer |
Sticky lint stick |
Family room, living room, etc. |
A readymade removal tool for pet fur, say from the couch or other furniture |
White-cotton gloves (look for lint-free white inspection gloves) |
All over |
The gloves are a fast way to dust window blinds and chandeliers. |
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