Before the spring season gets into full swing, take a weekend to get your home ready for outdoor living with some cleaning tips from Merry Maids.
* Give the garage a makeover. First, tackle the junk pile. Rid your space of unwanted items such as broken tools, rusty fishing tackle and old magazines.
Overhead storage, such as lofts and ledges, offer great spaces for storing small toys, coolers and winter sleds. Make use of side-wall hooks or shelving units for storing paint cans, garden or automotive tools, lawn mower and automotive accessories.
For removal of oil stains on concrete, sprinkle an absorbent powder like baking soda or sawdust on the stain and scrub with a stiff brush. If the stain is already dry, wet it first to create a scouring paste.
To keep those extra freezers and refrigerators clean and odor-free, unplug appliances and defrost the freezer. Remove all stored food and interior compartments, washing inside walls with a warm water and baking soda solution.
* Let the sun shine in with sparkling windows. For spotless windows and glass doors, wash surface with mixture of five drops of liquid dish detergent to 2 gallons of water. Wipe dry and buff to shine with crumpled newspapers for lint-free results.
For most effective glass cleaning, do not wash outside windows or glass doors in high heat or direct sunlight. The intense sunlight will allow the cleaning solution to dry too quickly, creating unwanted streaks.
* Prepare your lawn and patio for a party. Before you put grimy window and door screens back in place for the summer months, hose them down on a flat surface and scrub them with a solution of baking soda and water; rinse thoroughly.
To clean fabric cushions or patio umbrella, combine 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon Borax with warm water in a 12-ounce spray bottle. Spray solution on cushions or umbrella and allow to sit for 15 minutes; rinse thoroughly. Place cushions or umbrella in direct sunlight to dry.
For more information on residential cleaning, visit the Merry Maids Web site at www.merrymaids.com or call (800) MERRY-MAIDS. - NU |
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