During the first warm days of spring, it isn’t uncommon for people to feel the need to shake off winter by doing a thorough cleaning of their homes. Spring cleaning often involves getting rid of older items that are causing clutter, as well as removing excess dust and vacuuming. Generally, most people maintain their homes well enough that spring cleaning isn’t too difficult of a chore. This is particularly true when they have the regular help of maid services. New York residents and homeowners in other areas may find that hiring a maid is helpful for keeping the home clean, regardless of the season. In addition, by hiring maid services, NYC residents can avoid the hassle of cleaning themselves. When not using maid services, New York homeowners can still completely clean their homes, provided they know how to go about it.

Kitchen

Wherever there is food and cooking, bacteria has an opportunity to grow. The kitchen is an area that should be routinely cleaned year round. If it has been neglected or just needs a more thorough cleaning, hiring a New York maid service is well worth the extra expense to ensure that the kitchen is cleaned thoroughly. Before hiring maid services, NYC homeowners should verify that the service has a reputation for doing a complete and detailed job.

Start by emptying out kitchen cupboards. Throw away any food items that have expired. Any unopened food that has a good expiration date but is unwanted can be put in a bag and taken to a nearby food bank or charity. Wipe out the cupboards and replace any old shelf paper. Remove items from the kitchen counters and wipe them down.

Empty out the refrigerator and throw out spoiled or expired food. Clean the interior of the refrigerator with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly before replacing food items. The seals should be wiped down with a soapy cloth as well, but avoid the use of bleach which can weaken the door’s seal. Clean the coils beneath the refrigerator using a vacuum attachment and if possible, move the refrigerator away from the wall to sweep and clean behind it.

Create a paste made of baking soda and water to clean the stove and interior of the oven. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and can safely remove any greasy buildup. It may also be used to clean the inside of the kitchen sink. Vinegar, which is a natural disinfectant and odor neutralizer, is also useful in cleaning the kitchen. Freeze vinegar and put several cubes into the garbage disposal to grind or pour it directly down the drain. Run a cup of vinegar through the dishwasher to clean and disinfect it.

• Spring Clean Your Way to a Safer Kitchen (PDF)
• Kitchen and Pantry the Clean-Out

Bedroom

Cleaning the bedroom is another important part of spring cleaning. This is the place where people go to relax and sleep at the end of the day. Like the kitchen, the bedroom may be an area where hiring a New York maid service may result in a more thorough cleaning. If there is not an on-hand maid service, NYC homeowners can make the cleaning process as efficient as possible by keeping certain tips and steps in mind.

To begin, start with the bed. Remove the bedding, including the pillows, sheets, comforter and blankets. Launder the pillows two at a time and dry on a low-heat setting. Place the linens in the washing machine while the pillows are drying and then flip the mattress. Flipping the mattress should be done four times a year to ensure that it wears evenly. Move the bed from its normal position, clean up any clutter that has gathered under it, wipe the baseboards and vacuum. Return the bed to its normal place.

Take the curtains from the window and clean off the window sill with a multipurpose cleanser. If there are blinds, vacuum with an attachment or dust them with a soft, clean dust cloth. Dust any furniture and fixtures in the room and then vacuum the rest of the floor. If the floor is not covered in carpeting, sweep any loose debris and mop with an appropriate cleanser for the floor type. Launder and re-hang the curtains.

• Spring Cleaning Tips

Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the least desirable areas to clean, unfortunately it is also one that is full of germs and bacteria as well. If using maid services, NYC homeowners or renters can delegate this task to the maids that are doing the cleaning. For people who are cleaning without the use of a New York maid service, they will want to get the job done as quickly and cleanly as possible. Because bathrooms are often closed up spaces, keep the door open and if there is a window, open it for ventilation. When using a maid service, NYC homeowners or renters should instruct them to keep the room well-ventilated while cleaning as well.

Remove all items off the counters and wipe them down with a clean cloth and disinfectant. Wipe out the sinks. For streak-free mirrors, use vinegar to clean the glass. Scrub the inside and the outside of the bathtub. Baking soda can be used to safely clean the tub and shower walls. Dry the tub and the shower thoroughly to remove all moisture. Rub fixtures with a soft cloth to remove any water stains and to build up a shine. Use a soft dust cloth to wipe off and remove dust from vents. Scrub the inside of the toilet with a toilet bowl cleaner and brush and wipe the outside of the toilet with a disinfectant cleanser.

Check medicine cabinets and remove any items that have expired or that are no longer necessary. Look through drawers and cabinets and remove any items that are no longer useful. Wipe the insides of the medicine cabinet and any drawers before replacing items that are being kept. Save sweeping and mopping the floor with a disinfectant floor cleaner until last.

Living Room

For many people the living room is one of the most used rooms in the home. It’s a place where family and friends gather to socialize, watch a movie or just relax. The living room is an area that is full of furniture that will require cleaning, such as sofas, chairs, coffee tables and even televisions. When using a maid service, NYC homeowners will find that cleaning this area does not take much additional time. When not using maid services, New York renters and homeowners can quickly and thoroughly clean the living room by following certain steps.

Clean the draperies or curtains in the room. Check to see if they require dry cleaning or if they are machine washable. Remove any throw rugs, shake them out and vacuum them before setting them in an out-of-the-way location. Dust picture frames, coffee tables and any wood furniture with a clean, dry microfiber towel. Go through old magazines and get rid of any that are more than several months outdated.

Wipe down the baseboards in the room with a multipurpose cleaner. Also use a damp cloth to clean off any dust or dirt from ceiling fans in the room. For upholstery, use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment to remove any surface dust or lint. Move furniture to the center of the room, and vacuum. After returning the furniture back where it belongs, vacuum the rest of the floor.

• ABC’s of Spring Clean-Up