Fast, Easy, Economical Spring Cleaning
Room by Room
by Marilyn Moll and Sandy Tuin
My daughter Mary has already asked if we can do Spring Cleaning during her break in April. What a blessing to have help, because I don’t love this job! We take it room by room using the time we have and completing each job step by step. Read through the instructions before you get started and outline a plan.
Note: The only cleaning products needed are micro-fiber and water. No paper towel, or chemicals. You may enjoy using the safe cleaners made from non-toxic ingredients or natural enzymes like the Mattress Cleaner, and Odour Eliminator. The Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent is biodegradable, contains no fillers, and is highly concentrated. As little as ½ tsp per load in a front loader is all it takes.
Living Room and Dining Room – Start at the room that gets the most use and public exposure. Do all the dusting in both rooms, then windows etc for that economy of scale efficiency.
Dust and De-clutter– Use the Norwex Microfiber mitt or Enivro cloth dry, to thoroughly dust the entire room. Clear the clutter as you go. Use the 3 box system- give away, throw away, and put-away. Use the Norwex mop system to wipe down walls and remove cobwebs.
Curtains and Drapes – Curtains can be machine washed with Norwex Ultra Power Plus Detergent. It only takes ½ tsp in a HE machine. Line dry if possible. Dry Clean only drapes can be tumbled in a cool dryer to remove dust. Re-hang.
Windows – Next wipe down all the windows with a damp Enviro Cloth and then polish with
the Window Cloth. You won’t believe how quick and easy the window polishing goes with a dry micro-fiber window cloth.
Upholstery – Spot clean using an Enviro cloth and water. Vacuum cushions, backs, under cushions and apply Mattress Cleaner to cushions and cushion backs.
Vacuum the room thoroughly including under furniture around the edges.
Odour Eliminator – Dilute in water 7 parts water to one part Odor Eliminator and spray the room to eliminate off odors and overall freshen up the room. If it is warm enough – open the windows!
Re-Arrange furniture for a seasonal change if desired. VOILA – you are done!
Bedrooms – Repeat the same steps above: Dust and De-clutter, Curtains and Drapes, and Windows.
Beds – Wash mattress pad, blankets, and other bedding in the Ultra Power Plus Detergent. Hang out to dry if possible. Turn mattress. Spray with Mattress Cleaner. Make up bed.
Vacuum the room thoroughly including under furniture and bed around the edges of the room.
Kitchen and Pantry – This is probably a big job if it hasn’t been done lately. So allow plenty of time – or take it a few cabinets at a time or use 15-30 minute time segments daily until the job is done. Getting started is the hardest part.
Cabinets – Clear everything out of the cabinets. Purge unused, and out-of date items. Wipe down the inside and outside cabinet surfaces with a damp Enviro Cloth. Apply lemon oil to wood cabinets if desired.
Refrigerator – Clear everything out of the refrigerator or do it shelf by shelf, drawer by drawer. Purge unused, moldy, and out of date foods. Wipe shelves and exterior of refrigerator with a wet Enviro Cloth. Polish with dry window cloth. Plastic drawers should be removed, washed and dried. Re-assemble everything neatly and you will be amazed at how much more room you now have!
Floors – Use the Norwex mop system to get the floor dry mopped, and then wet mop. It only takes water.
Oven – If you do not have a self-cleaner, water and spirinettes with lots of elbow grease will do the job.
Cook Top – Smooth top and conventional electric ranges can be maintained and polished with an Enviro Cloth and window cloth. If you have tough burned on food use the cleaning paste with a damp Enviro or the Micro-pad.
Bathrooms – Surprisingly, you can get most of the bathroom cleaned up very well using an Enviro Cloth and water. Since the Enviro clothes are anti-bacterial no disinfectants are needed.
Toilet– Sanira Toilet System – Both cleaning solution and brush are produced from environmentally friendly raw materials. The cleaning solution is vegetable based with coconut oil and a naturally- occurring sugar surfactant. The b rush does not contain any metal parts. Using only ¾ tsp a week, this solution will last about a year. Compare to 2 Tbsp of traditional cleaner and save.
Throw Rugs – Wash with Ultra Detergent and hang out to dry. Replace.
Mirrors – Wipe with a damp Enviro and polish with dry Window Cloth for a streak free shine in seconds.
Floors – Use Norwex Mop System to dry and wet mop.
Shower & Tubs – Maintained weekly with an Enviro cloth and water you won’t have much extra work. Wash out shower curtain liners and shower curtain with Ultra Detergent and rehang after the shower is cleaned up.
Shower Doors can be descaled the safe non-toxic way with De-Scaler a wonderful gel that removes lime scale easily. The netted dish cloth can also be used to remove soap scum. Wipe down the shower after each use with a dry microfiber dust mitt to eliminate lime scale and scums.
Halls and Closets – Apply the above products and principles of de-cluttering, wiping down, mopping and/or vacuuming to closets and hall ways. Wash and dry throw rugs and replace.
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