Even through you've already hired yourself a fabulous First Lady Maid here's a few extra tips we're sure you can use.

Winter Cleaning Tips

Spring Cleaning Tips

Summer Cleaning Tips

Fall Cleaning Tips

Winter

Are you ready for old man winter? Make certain your check list includes reviewing the following items to prepare for cold weather.

Winter Cleaning Checklist

Clean gutters, check for leaks and plugged downspouts

  • Clean the chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves and pipes. 
  •  Replace the furnace air filters and clean the vents and ducts.
  • Drain gas from the lawnmower and other yard equipment.
  • Check car tires, belts, plugs, radiator fluids etc. Do you have snow chains and ice scrapers?.
  • Toss all old paint, varnishes etc. Keep any products you keep in a safe dry place.
  • Check your home for any cracks in the foundation or walls that might need sealing. Clean your windows and framing.
  • Trim bushes back away from the house. This is not only safer, looks neater, and reduces the chance of nasty insect problems, but also helps reduce mold and mildew growth of your plants and gives your foundation the breathing space it needs. 
  • Replace all the batteries in your smoke detectors.
  • Have your fire extinguisher checked to make sure it is working. If you do not have one, get one.  
  • Clean barbeque grills. Properly store propane gas.
  • Stock up on natural cleaning products to clean your home. The toxic buildup of chemical fumes cause a multitude of health problems. This worsens during the winter when windows and doors remain shut. Newer homes are built to be somewhat air tight. They don't let cold air in or fumes out. If you are suffering from headaches, asthma or other health problems it could be caused from the chemicals you use.
  • Dry winter air is hard on leather, vinyl and wood furniture. The heat from fireplaces and furnaces dries and cracks them. Clean and condition all your furniture.

Snow, Rain, and Ice

Be prepared for snow, ice or rain with this winter check list:

Outside Task Checklist:

  • Snow shovel. 
  • De-icing compound.
  • Waterproof floor mats.

Inside Task Checklist:

Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help. Check your home emergency kit against this basic checklist:

  • Food that doesn't require heating or refrigeration, such as canned meats, soups and stews, cereal, and energy bars.
  • Manual can opener.
  • Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
  • 1 gallon of water per person per day (allow enough for 5 days).
  • Flashlights and batteries.
  • Battery-powered radio.  
  • Battery-powered clock.
  • Cellular phone.
  • First-aid kit.
  • Prescription medicines.
  • Blanket and cold-weather clothing for each family member Pet food and additional water for household pets.

Winter Driving Checklist:

Winter transportation can mean ice, snow, and hazardous roads. Road conditions can change in an instant. Before traveling, give cars a winter preparedness exam:

  • Check antifreeze
  • Check and replace older batteries. 
  • Remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid freezing water in the fuel line. 
  • Check tires and spare tire for proper inflation

Make sure automobiles contain the following emergency supplies:

  • Bag of sand, road salt or non-clumping cat litter. The bag's extra weight means better traction, and the contents can be spread under slipping tires.
  • Ice scraper.
  • Jumper cables.
  • Small shovel (to dig snow away from wheels, or scatter sand on roadway).
  • Tire chains (every driver should practice putting them on).
  • Flares or reflective triangle to warn other motorists if you break down.
  • Blanket.  
  • Flashlight and batteries.
  • Gallon jug of drinking water.
  • First aid kit.

When traveling by car, include emergency food and clothing for each traveler. Pack supplies in a backpack in case you need to abandon your car. An emergency backpack should include:

  • Jacket, hat, gloves and snow boots.
  • Nonperishable food.  
  • Cell phone.
  • Money.

Spring

Spring is here! It's time to get rid of a winter's worth of dust and grime. Unfortunately, it's also the time of year when we all want to be outside enjoying the fresh air. The last thing on our minds is cleaning. But the good news is that with a thorough spring cleaning, all of the fragrant crispness of springtime can be felt throughout the house. And with the following game plan to guide you, you'll be able to clean up quickly and efficiently, with plenty of time left over to stop and smell the newly budding roses.

Spring Cleaning: Before You Start

Even before you clean, there are a few precautions you should take so that cleaning can be finished as painlessly as possible.

  • Wear comfortable, old clothes that you won't mind staining or getting dirty.
  • Check your cleaning needs and supplies. Don't wait until you're about to clean the oven to find out that you don't have any oven cleaner left. Have everything on hand and ready to go.
  • Prepare one bucket of supplies to bring with you to every room. All you really need are a few rags, some paper towels, furniture polish, and one good all purpose glass and counter cleaner. These items will do the trick for most cleaning jobs. Also, grab two empty garbage bags: one to carry garbage you find along the way, and the other to fill with things you no longer want but are still useful.
  • Get rid of the junk. Hold a garage sale. De-clutter your house and garage to turn trash into cash.
  • Pick a weekend and start your spring cleaning. Many hands make light work. Reward the team with dinner at a pizza parlor. You can also hire a maid service to handle this for you. I can recommend a very good one!
  • Arrange for a spring inspection of cooling systems. Don't wait for the first hot day. Air conditioning firms will give better service when they're not busy.  
  • When the weather warms, deactivate heat system humidifiers. Check the system manual for instructions on how to power down for the summer.
  • Drain sediment from hot water heaters.

No Distractions

Turn off the TV and the phone! The quickest cleaning is accomplished without any distractions. You'll be happier in the end.

Get Organized

Make a list of the rooms you want to tackle, and then clean each room fully before moving on to the next.

Let the Sun Shine In

Open the windows and let the clean, green aroma of spring's new flower and plant life enter your home. Not only will the mustiness of winter be removed, but you'll also protect yourself from inhaling dust and dangerous fumes from cleaning products.

Spring Cleaning: While You Clean

1. Play some music. Before you know it, your adrenaline will start pumping and you'll be dancing your way through the house.

2. Toss away everything you don't use. I mean everything! Be ruthless. Less clutter not only makes future dusting easier, it also has a tendency to give us a freer, more relaxed frame of mind when we enjoy these rooms.

3. Gather the extra items in your life and give them to charity, or sell them at a spring-time yard sale. Get the whole family in the act by telling kids that they can keep the profits from selling toys they no longer use.

4. Work around the room in one direction, either left or right. This way, there won't be any time wasted in crisscrossing the room, or vacuuming that same spot twice.

5. Clear it off and put it away. This is really the first step to cleaning any room. In the living room this means putting away books and recycling old magazines. Clear away all knickknacks and family photos so that dusting and polishing can be finished in a snap. In the bedrooms, remove items stored under the bed, and file away or throw out papers. In the kitchen, remove everything from counters and take down curtains. In the bathroom, clear away potpourri holders, magazines, and waste baskets. Take down the shower curtain and liner for laundering. Just remember to tackle one room at a time. Remove these items and cleaning will be much easier.

6. Wear rubber gloves! Even though it is harder to grip things with gloves than it is with bare hands, it is worth using them to protect your skin from the harshness of hot water and drying chemicals.

Spring Cleaning: When You Are Finish  

  • When you're finished cleaning, it's time to put back those items you need and love. Here are a few things to keep in mind.  
  • The only necessary appliances on kitchen counters are the ones that you use daily or weekly. Stash anything else in cabinets or cupboards. Also, if you have a counter full of cook books you seldom use; you may want to put them on a shelf for more living and cooking space.
  • Try putting treasured knickknacks and photos on different tables, shelves, or even in different rooms. This will give your home a fresh new look.

Summer

Clean the Furnace

Schedule furnace maintenance now and beat the October rush. You'll have no worries and be snug and warm that first cold night.

Outside Pest

Inspect yard and garden for carpenter ants or termites. Call an exterminator if you see signs of infestation. If you see telltale mounds, treat with borax. Keep borax away from children. Make a list of the rooms you want to tackle, and then clean each room fully before moving on to the next.

Decks, Siding, and Trim

Will you need to perform touch-up work before winter? Order paint and be ready for the first cooler days of early autumn.

Garbage Can Odor

Clean your can. Rinse garbage cans with a hose, dump the water, and then spray with vinegar or disinfectant. Let the cans sit for 30 minutes, then rinse again.

Clean Your Gutters

Call a gutter cleaning company if you do not have time to do it yourself. It's fairly inexpensive and is worth it as the debris can build up causing leaks, and also plug up downspouts. Rainy weather won't faze you if your gutters are in good working order.

Inspect Play Equipment

Make a safety inspection of children's outdoor play equipment. Tighten loose bolts, spray with WD-40 if rusty and cover with plastic protectors.

Inside Chores

Late summer is a slow time for home maintenance companies. Look for summer discounts from carpet cleaners, gutter installers, and window washing firms, and get the jump on fall cleaning!

Medical Emergencies

Prepare the medicine chest and first aid kit for summer's little medical emergencies. In the bathroom, toss outdated medication. Be sure the first aid kit has band aids for scrapes, calamine lotion for insect bites, and hot/cold packs for strains or sprains.

Emergency Contact List

Make an emergency list for baby-sitters and school kids on vacation. Print an emergency list to post by each household telephone. Include phone numbers for the fire department, police, poison control, and ambulance. Don't forget numbers for parents at work, a family contact, and nearby neighbors. Be sure to write the home address on the list; it will aid rescuers if help is needed.

Patio and Sliding Doors

Tackle patio and sliding door tracks. Summer is open-door season, so be sure your doors open smoothly. Grab a bottle of all-purpose (degreasing) cleaner, a screwdriver and lots of rags. Spray the tracks generously and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Wrap the screwdriver with a rag, and make several careful passes along the track to get out the gunk.

Inspect Hoses

Check washing machine hoses. Replace them if you find cracks or bulges, or if they're over two years old. This is important, and more than one home owner (myself included!) has come home to a very unpleasant surprise when the rubber degrades and the pressurized water hose has burst, directing a stream of water on the wall which not only destroyed the drywall, but made a total mess of the floor.

The moral of this story is to check the hoses regularly, and to purchase the hoses that have the metal sheath on the ends that support and protect the bend of the hose. They cost more, but the price is insignificant compared to replacing the wall and possibly the carpet.

Get Rid of Junk

1. Hold a garage sale. De-clutter house and garage to turn cash to trash. Begin major spring landscaping projects. Spring's the time to put in shrubs and trees, but check with your local extension office for specific planting recommendations for your area.

Fall

Time to come inside for winter!  Outside the house, tend to these autumn chores:

  • Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, and children’s summer toys.
  • Touch up paint on trim, railings and decks.  Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint; prime bare wood first. 
  • Check caulk around windows and doors.  Follow manufacturer's recommendations to re-caulk if needed.
  • Inspect external doors and garage doors.  Do they close tightly?  Install weather-stripping, door thresholds if needed. 
  • Wash exterior windows.
  • Drain and store garden hoses.  Install insulating covers on exterior spigots. In hard-freeze areas, have sprinkler systems blown free of water.
  • Check gutters and downspouts.  Clear of debris if necessary.  In cold-weather areas, consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams.
  • Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary.
  • Focus on public rooms: living room, family room, entryway, guest bath. 
  • Clean from top to bottom.  Vacuum drapes and window treatments.  Clean window sills and window wells.  Vacuum baseboards and corners. 
  • Vacuum upholstered furniture, or have professionally cleaned if needed.  Move furniture and vacuum beneath and behind it.
  • Wash interior windows.
  • Turn mattresses front-to-back and end-to-end to equalize wear.
  • Launder or clean all bedding:  mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters.  Tuck the family into a warm and cozy winter bed.
  • Schedule professional carpet cleaning early this month!  Warm October afternoons speed carpet drying.  Carpet cleaning firms get busy by the end of October, so schedule now for best service.
  • Prepare the kitchen for holiday cooking.  Clean and organized kitchen cabinets, paying particular attention to baking supplies, pans and equipment.
  • Clear kitchen counters of all appliances not used within the last week.  Clear counters look cleaner--and provide more room for holiday cooking.
  • Pull refrigerator away from the wall, and vacuum the condenser coils. For bottom-mounted coils, use a long, narrow brush to clean coils of dust and debris.
  • Wash light-diffusing bowls from light fixtures.
  • Inspect each appliance.  Does it need supplies?  Stock up on softener salt now, and avoid staggering over icy sidewalks with heavy bags.
  • Check and empty the central vacuum's collection area.
  • Clean electronic air cleaner elements monthly for most efficient operation.  Wash them in an empty dishwasher (consult manual for specific product recommendations).
  • Clean or replace humidifier elements before the heating season begins.
  • Inspect washer hoses for bulges, cracks or splits.  Replace them every other year.
  • Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for built-up lint, debris or birds' nests!  Make sure the exterior vent door closes tightly when not in use.
  • Schedule fall furnace inspections now.  Don't wait for the first cold night!
  • Buy a winter's supply of furnace filters.  Change filters monthly for maximum energy savings and indoor comfort.  When the right filter is on hand, it's an easy job!
  • Drain sediment from hot water heaters.

Autumn's the time for spring cleaning.  Deep clean now to take advantage of good weather.  Face the coming of winter and the approaching holidays with a clean and comfortable home.

  • Make a schedule, and stick to it. The mess gets worse the longer you put it off. If the house is too big, hit a floor at a time, or clean all the bathrooms on Tuesdays.
  • Identify your trouble spots, and determine how you're going to get them cleaned up. Do you need any special cleaning products? Are soap scum or mold and mildew taking over the bath? Select the tools you'll need, and who you can assign the task to.
  • Get help. If there are others living and breathing in the house with you, who are most certainly contributing to the mess, get them to help. My favorite is to assign tasks to each child for a week at time, and rotate tasks. Don't forget to throw in deep cleaning items, like the mess under the sink, or spraying down and wiping the trash compactor.
  • Gather all your cleaning supplies and place in a bucket or tote. Don't waste time running around getting a broom or cleaners or whatever you need to complete the task that you're doing. Your bucket should contain glass cleaner, disinfectant, detergent de greaser, soup scum remover, comet, soft scrub, scrub brush, sponge, toothbrush, and a green scrubbier for starters
  • Use the right product for the job. Use natural cleaning products if possible. We don't use fancy products to clean with. Get good quality heavy duty cleaning products that do a great job. This doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money either. We use a solution of vinegar and water to damp mop linoleum or vinyl floors. It works great.
  • Dump your junk. Get clutter free. This is a hard one. I like stuff too, and I was raised in a family of pack rats, so this doesn't come naturally to me either. The room will feel kind of bare at first, but trust me, you'll get used to it, (you'll actually come to prefer it) and it makes clean up a breeze.

Phone: 248-276-1173│Fax: 248-230-8702 │E-mail: kljackson@firstladymaids.com