| All the fresh spring air in the world can't compete | | | | Before you begin cleaning you should take a quick |
| with the winter's worth of dust, grime and stuffiness | | | | walk through your home and pick up anything that |
| that envelopes most homes at this time of year. | | | | does not belong. Put things away, throw things out |
| Spring cleaning is the best way to give your home a | | | | and gather items that you don't need or use |
| complete makeover -- which means you and your | | | | anymore (put these in a bag for charity). |
| family will actually be able to feel the natural | | | | Then, gather the cleaning supplies you'll need for all of |
| freshness that comes with the new season. | | | | your cleaning and keep them with you (a bucket |
| Not only is spring cleaning your home great for your | | | | works well for this). Put on some old clothes and a |
| mind -- returning from work to a truly clean, | | | | lively CD and you're ready to start. |
| clutter-free home is proven to be one of the prime | | | | Get Cleaning |
| contributors to a sense of calm and well-being -- but | | | | The general game-plan for each room is the same: |
| if done properly, it will help to prevent disease and | | | | clean from top to bottom (dirt will fall to the floor as |
| illness in your home. | | | | you clean) and only circle the room once. Clean all |
| Here's a game-plan that will give you a sparkling clean | | | | that you can from each position you're in (at the |
| home with the least amount of time and effort on | | | | sink, for instance) before moving on. Move in a |
| your part. | | | | clockwise movement around the room if it will help |
| First, Get the Right Tools | | | | you remember where you've cleaned already. |
| Professional cleaners all have one thing in common: | | | | For a total spring cleaning, pay attention to the |
| they come prepared. Running downstairs every time | | | | details in the following rooms. |
| you need a towel, mop or cleaner is one of the | | | | In the Kitchen |
| biggest mistakes (and time-waster) that amateur | | | | Empty and wash out the trash can |
| cleaners make. | | | | Spot wash air vents, walls, handles, switch plates and |
| Before you start, make sure you have rags, a mop, | | | | other surfaces |
| dusters and cleaners -- but make sure they are a | | | | Clean out the refrigerator and freezer (discard old |
| high-quality, non-toxic variety. Investing in a few really | | | | foods, wash the produce bins and shelves, don't |
| good cleaning tools will make your job much easier, | | | | forget the handle!) |
| and will be less expensive in the long run because | | | | Vacuum or wash blinds or curtains |
| you won't need to replace them as often. | | | | Clean small appliances, including your microwave, |
| When it comes to cleaning tools, highly recommends | | | | toaster, blender, etc. |
| the PerfectClean line of terry-cloths, dusters and mits | | | | Remove burners and knobs from stovetop and clean |
| - the same tools used by leading hospitals, hotels, and | | | | Wash the sink, paying special attention to the drain |
| other organizations that depend on environments | | | | Clean out cabinets and drawers (remove items you |
| that are clean down to the biological level. | | | | don't use and reline them if necessary) |
| Rather than just pushing dust and dirt around, or | | | | Wash countertops, then floors |
| worse, stirring it up into the air, all PerfectClean | | | | Run the dishwasher through empty once to clean it |
| products are made with positively charged | | | | out |
| ultramicrofibers that pick up everything in their path -- | | | | Bathroom |
| including the biological and toxic contaminants that no | | | | Clean mirrors, faucets and light fixtures |
| other cleaning tool or solution can touch. | | | | Vacuum vents, fans and ceiling corners |
| As for cleaning supplies, most commercial cleaners | | | | Clean the shower and tub |
| are toxic and contain harsh chemicals that are | | | | Empty the trash basket and wash it out |
| poisonous if inhaled or spilled on the skin. Oven | | | | Clean the toilet, inside and out |
| cleaner, for instance, contains all of these dangerous | | | | Vacuum, then wash, the floor |
| ingredients: | | | | Vacuum or wash blinds or curtains |
| Ethers | | | | Shake rugs outside then wash them |
| Ethylene glycol | | | | Clean out the medicine cabinet and wash it |
| Lye (sodium and potassium hydroxide) | | | | Remove unused items from the shower and under |
| Methylene chloride | | | | the sink |
| Petroleum distillates | | | | Living/Family Room |
| Manyof the individual substances in a wide array of | | | | Dust and clean ceiling corners, ceiling fan, wall art and |
| cleaning products -- from toilet bowl cleaners to | | | | photographs |
| spray cleaners to laundry detergents -- have been | | | | Vacuum or wash blinds or curtains |
| linked to cancer, reproductive problems and damage | | | | Vacuum and clean couches and chairs |
| to the central nervous system. | | | | Remove knick-knacks and books from shelves and |
| If you're looking for a top-notch cleaning line that's | | | | wipe them down |
| completely safe for you and the environment, we | | | | Dust surfaces, lamps and knick-knacks (don't forget |
| also highly recommend the EnviroRite line of non-toxic | | | | to dust off houseplants) |
| cleaning products, which contain no hazardous | | | | Vacuum and clean carpets and floors |
| ingredients, petrochemicals, perfumes, dyes or animal | | | | Clean your door mats so dirt isn't transferred into |
| byproducts. | | | | your home |
| Another unique, and very effective, multi-purpose | | | | Bedroom |
| cleaner is Vermont Organics' Liquid Sunshine | | | | Dust and clean ceiling corners, ceiling fan, wall art and |
| Non-Toxic Cleaner. It's a powerful cleaner, with a | | | | photographs |
| citrus scent, that delivers dramatic results with a | | | | Vacuum or wash blinds or curtains |
| multi-functioning non-toxic formula that's safe and | | | | Wash all your bedding (linens, mattress pad, dust |
| mild, even on your skin. | | | | ruffle, comforter, pillows, etc. |
| Get Organized | | | | |