After a long, cold, snowy winter, people in our area are more excited for spring than ever! This past year has kept everyone home more than we could have ever imagined. There is no better time to go through your home and make sure everything is fresh and clean for the new season. Not only is it important to get rid of any lingering germs, but cleaning can be a way to rejuvenate your daily life. While Riddle Village Residents benefit from weekly housekeeping and yearly deep cleaning, there are still some easy things to do day-to-day to make sure your home is a refreshing and relaxing area.
Utilize Dishwasher
Did you know that the dishwasher can be used for more than just dishware? Dishes are made out of glass or plastic, so it makes sense that other items made from the same material could be washed in the same way. Household items such as sponges, toothbrush holders, and plastic hairbrushes and combs can safely go on the top rack of your dishwasher. This is a quick and easy way to get rid of bacteria.
Check Expiration Dates
It is so important to go through foods, drinks, and medicines to make sure everything is still in date. Oftentimes, we get busy with our day-to-day life and may not be paying as much attention to the dates printed on labels. It is good to do this at least once a year to make sure everything you are consuming is safe. There is also the added bonus of using this to declutter your cabinets and create more space.
Essential Oils to Freshen Air
Essential oils are a popular trend right now to help create fresh aromas and even create a calm, energizing atmosphere in your home. However, oils also serve many other purposes throughout a household. For example, pouring a small amount of oil onto a cotton ball and adding it to vacuum cleaners can help avoid the smell of dust spreading throughout each room. You can also add scents like lemon and peppermint to your cleaning products as a natural way to kill germs and repel insects.
Get Creative with Dusting
Dusting is never a favorite chore, but there are some easy ways to get it done quickly and efficiently. One little-known hack is you can you use tongs from your kitchen, attach a cloth to them, and get all the dust out from between your window blinds. You can also try a paintbrush to get into tight spaces, a pillowcase on a ceiling fan blade to trap dust inside, and a lint roller on lampshades.
Make Kitchen Staples Multi-Purpose
There are so many items in your kitchen that aren’t just great for cooking! Lemons can be used to remove water stains and rust from stainless steel appliances in the bathroom or kitchen. Vinegar and baking soda can be used to help clean the dishwasher when it is running on the hottest cycle. Lemon, vinegar, and baking soda can also be used on windows, furniture, and even grills. Go online and search what household areas you want to clean, and you will be surprised how many cleaning solutions you can create using things right from your own cabinets!