SPRING CLEANING - THE TASKS YOU MAY BE NEGLECTING, THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

It's that time of year again - Spring has finally sprung. And while I've switched out my decor to reflect the lighter, brighter days, now I'm feeling the itch to CLEAN. Not just clean, but clean. We have a list of jobs we do daily and weekly to keep our house as clean as it can be with two young boys, but Spring is when I dig a little deeper, and tackle projects that tend to get overlooked throughout the year. Here's a list of Spring Cleaning tasks you may be neglecting, that make ALL the difference in how your home looks and feels!

1. Clean your vents and change air filters: Probably definitely the most important on the list, especially if you haven't done this in a while. I'm embarrassed to admit that we've lived in our home almost 4 years and this is the first time we've gotten them cleaned. And holy crap did they need it!! For my local Utah friends, we used So Fresh, So Clean and I cannot BELIEVE what they sucked up. It was more than a little disturbing to see how much dust and dirt, (and tin foil?! forks, leaves, straws, balls, pencils...I could go on) has been circulating the air that we breathe all day. Not only does getting your vents cleaned improve air quality and reduce toxins, allergens and odors, but it improves the efficiency of your heating/cooling system. If it's been a few years, put this at the top of your to-do list!

2. Vacuum / dust lampshades and light fixtures: We have several fabric lampshades throughout our home that are often (almost always) neglected when it comes to dusting. Not to mention the chandeliers and high hanging light fixtures! Giving them a quick clean makes a HUGE difference, and here's the easiest way:

Say hello to your new best friend, these duster gloves are life changing. They make dusting anything and everything so easy! You can get in every nook and cranny of every light fixture, baseboard, cupboard, shelf - you name it.

This hand vacuum is one of my other top favorite cleaning items. Affordable, long-lasting battery (which is hard to come by in a hand vac), and just like the duster gloves it gets in all the nooks and crannies. Plus! It's on sale right now!

3. Touch up paint: We ALL have areas throughout our home where the paint has been scuffed and marked up. Set aside a little time and go around touching up those spots and you and your home will feel like a million bucks, swear. This is the perfect kit to give you everything you need to easily tackle this project.

Look at the difference! Conditioned on the left, unconditioned on the right

4. Condition wood and leather furniture: I do this every spring and fall, and it's a VERY IMPORTANT part of caring for real wood and leather pieces! Not only does it restore coloring, but it protects and hydrates. I still remember helping my grandma do this to the wood furniture throughout her home as a little girl, and those pieces have stood the test of time.

I've tried a couple different products, and this is by far my favorite leather conditioner and my favorite wood conditioner and you'll want plenty of these microfiber cloths as well (I use them for everythingggg).

5. Clean and re-seal grout: This Mapei Grout Refresh and Sealer is pure magic. It restores the original color of your grout, and seals grout joints as well. Use it in high traffic areas, especially those with light colored grout and the transformation will blow your freaking mind. Voila - dirty, dingy looking tile suddenly looks like it was just installed brand new.

I hope this list helps you feel empowered to do a few simple things to improve, protect, and beautify your home!

xoxo,

Ally

Helpful Links:

-So Fresh, So Clean Utah

-Grout Refresh and Sealer