Think big, but start small with housecleaning projects
Spring cleaning requires a little more elbow grease than the average maintenance housecleaning, says Dave Dorris, operations manager for Absolutely Spotless, a local cleaning and maid service.
But with a little organization, even Peanuts' dusty Pigpen could tackle it.
The thought of cleaning the entire house can be daunting, so first pick a room and start there, Dorris suggests.
"Take a day, put your favorite music on and get into it," says Dorris, the husband half of a married duo who own and operate the cleaning business. They do 250 to 400 cleaning jobs a month, he says.
"It's going to be a little bit of a project, because the other 364 days of the year you've lived in the house. Make it fun, don't make it gloomy. You might come across things you forgot about, too."
Once you have your room, start high. Knock the dirt down to the floor so that later, you can mop or vacuum. Using a broom with a cloth wrapped around it, swipe the cobwebs off of ceilings; dust the vents and ceiling fans; then work your way down the walls, he says.
If you have draperies, this is the time of year to take them to the cleaners. Most Las Vegas households use blinds, so take a cloth and dust them.
Work your way down to the baseboards but don't forget to wipe doorjambs, doorknobs and light switch plates.
Spring cleaning is that time of the year when people like to clean their upholstery, carpet and area rugs, Dorris notes. Follow manufacturers' instructions if you want to do it yourself. Otherwise, a professional cleaning service should know how to clean those items.
In addition to the regular cleaning, such as wiping down counters, cleaning floors and dusting, you may want to do things such as clean the interior kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Spring cleaning is the best time to not only clean but reorganize, Dorris says.
During your spring cleaning ritual, you may want to store your winter clothes and bring out the spring and summer fashions.
Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@review journal.com or 702-380-4564.
