Monday, March 19, 2012

spring cleaning

vintage gas pump

I don't know about you, but the spring cleaning bug bit me hard. It might even have drawn blood. I spent a lot of spring break freshening up the house. Sloane and I gave Bic a good spring clean, too. We washed it and towel dried the windows. We vacuumed every nook, cranny, and crevice. We discovered a pack of gum, and umbrella, and a petrified rock of a fry under the seats. We emptied the trunk and Sloane climbed inside to vacuum. We dusted the interior and windexed all the windows. But, that's not all. The floor mats were impossible to clean, even with the high-powered pay-for-it vacuum. So, I brought them in and ran them through an empty dishwasher. Perfect! They look brand new. You should try it! Just remember to turn off the heated dry.

What about you? Any spring cleaning tips you'd care to share?

20 comments:

Unknown said...

That's a great idea! I never thought about doing that. I guess I'm doing a little spring cleaning in the way of unpacking boxes from when we first moved.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Since the spring cleaning bug has not even so much as made a phone call, to me......... If you have some uuuumph left over, come over here and expend it, at my place. :-)

Sarah said...

Keeping at it is my tip! And using the little handheld hoover to dust-use the brush attachment and hold onto small objects-works well! Also have been having a clearout and listing books on Amazon-to make room for some of the new ones!

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

I love your dedication, your passion to spring cleaning!
I drove by a house that had one of those dumpster's you could rent, and thought hmmmm....!

I love that Sloan "climbed inside to vacum" That is a true help, true dedication!

Happy spring!

Marilyn Miller said...

No tips here, but I have been thinking I need to do it too. Thursday is set aside for the first day to clean. Starting in my storage room in the basement and hoping to have a big pile for a garage sale this summer by the time I am finished.

HKatz said...

Thanks for the tips, especially for floor mats.

For me spring cleaning is a part of preparing for Passover. So I'll be at work on that. I love the fresh feeling it gives to the home; the feeling of new starts, less clutter as you move forward.

Amy said...

Oh, that's a great idea! Now, if it will just stop raining, I'll be set . . .

Anonymous said...

Usually I'm into spring cleaning, but this year I'm too mellow to even care. All this early sunshine.

Maybe I'll be a late blooming spring cleaner this year... or maybe dirt will become my BFF! ;-)

Mac n' Janet said...

My big spring cleaning task is all the window blinds in our house, and each spring I swear there's more of them.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Feel free to stop by my house any time you get the cleaning bug again.

Thanks for the dishwasher tip.

xo jj

Jennifer Richardson said...

delicious
just imagining
how it feels:)
-Jennifer

GraceGal said...

I can't think about spring cleaning yet. We still have considerable snow on the ground even tho the weather is unusually warm. I am a bit jealous tho:)

rachel awes said...

i can feel fresh wind coming through the open windows just reading this!
((good morning to dear you))
xox

Gayle at Planet M Files said...

There is something that feels so good about spring cleaning! Good for you and Sloane to get started on it!

Also, I love your image in this post. Rust is one of my most favorite things to photograph!

Sweet Tea said...

Ohhh, you are GOOD!! What a great idea...I do Fall Cleaning instead of Spring Cleaning. I always get Spring Fever so badly that I'm of no use to anyone or anything. :-)

Jeanie said...

Great photo -- I've been in an organize mood (so I can clean) churning drawers and closets and staring a piles in my art room and moving them into different piles. As you can see, this is getting me no place fast! Do love that pump!

Unknown said...

If you're still full of energy, come and clean my house! Hopefully I'll get cleaning fever soon.

Elizabeth Halt said...

That is the one trouble with sunshine. It so clearly illuminates dust and cobwebs. Otherwise, I could much more easily avoid the whole spring cleaning thing. ;)

I cleaned a wall. The thing I will say about that is that if something feels horribly onerous, it is possible that I don't have the right tools. I used to whine about wall cleaning (I don't know how, but Atlas gets brown spots on them) but it turns out that if I use a scrubby thing, it goes much better.

Anne said...

No spring cleaning bug here yet, but ~ Great post...Lovely blog! I'm a new follower!
Best,
Anne

Tracy said...

Hi, Relyn...Happy Spring! Started some spring cleaning this week--been itching to get started. It's good exercise, worth results, and I clock-in hours of great time with listening to my fave music while cleaning. ;o) Not many tips as such, although I make my own homemade cleaners--very easy, takes moments, and last long. Vinegar works great to removed soap-scum build up in showers and on bath taps. Happy Days ((HUGS))

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