For some, spring means cleaning and organizing. There is something about
being able to open up the windows and airing out the house, that just
inspires change. It can be overwhelming though when you start thinking
about the tasks piled up around your home after a long winter! Cleaning
out the closets may be the least of your worries when the warm sun and
gardening is calling your name.
With that in mind, this article is designed to help you prioritize your
spring chore list. You will find helpful tips for home maintenance and
also spring safety ideas. You can save your closets for a rainy day! You can also
download a list here.
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For general cleaning around your home, I looked to Martha Stewart for suggestions
(we all know she keeps a ship-shape home). Wipe walls and ceilings with
a vacuum and tell dust bunnies goodbye till next year. Dusting books and
shelves can be done with the vacuum also. Re-seal your grout in the kitchen
and bath areas. Vacuum and shampoo rugs around the house. Upholstery and
rugs can always use a good airing out- take them outside and beat them
by hand to remove dust. Clean your metal doors and window hardware with
liquid polishes or disposable wipes that are made for that purpose. Waxing
your wooden furniture is also suggested on
www.marthastewart.com.
- Kitchen and bath clean-up are a snap when you maintain them through the
year. Little jobs like sanitizing your cutting board and sponges help
you to minimize germs. (Did you know that the average chopping board has
200 more time fecal bacteria on it than a toilet seat—can we say
yuck!) Run your cutting boards through your dish washer after use and
microwave your sponges for 30 seconds each day. (Make sure your sponge
is wet though!) Take a moment to clean out cupboards, looking specifically
for expiration dates. Donate items you aren’t using to a local food
bank or soup kitchen. Clear out your medicine cabinet, too and dispose
of unused medications through drop off sites at the City of Gillette Police
Department or the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office; or make sure
to participate in one of the biannual prescription take-back days sponsored
by law enforcement.
- Your household appliances need special attention periodically as well.
Take a moment to vacuum the coils on your refrigerator’s condenser.
They are usually found under the fridge and are very good at collecting
all the dust, hair and dirt from the kitchen floor. Cleaning out your
dryer vents can make your dryer more efficient and prevent a home fire.
Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and
maintain your fire extinguishers through the home. Don’t forget
to also check the outlets appliances are plugged into for any damage!
- Did you know your air conditioner and furnace need periodic cleaning? Spring
is the perfect time to clean or replace the AC and furnace filters. While
you are replacing those filters, check your home for mold. Places to look
include damp areas of the home that are typically dark, too. Under the
sinks, the attic, the basement, around your water heater and furnace and
also around vents, and behind the washer and dryer.
- Outside the home can use a good tidying as well. Check your gutters and
down spouts for clogs and debris. Window wells tend to collect leaves
and trash through the winter and make great homes for critters you don’t
want making their way into your home. Make sure all your window screens
are intact after the harsh winter and replace bulbs in your security lighting.
Your roof deserves a good once over as well- checking for damage after
the winter winds and ice have done their deeds.
Keep on top of all these small tasks each spring and you will maintain
the longevity of your appliances, furniture and heating and cooling of
your home—even Martha Stewart would be proud!
Have Questions?
Campbell County Health's
Wellness works to reduce health risks and promote overall wellness among employee
groups and individuals across the northeastern Wyoming region. To learn
more about Wellness, please visit
www.cchwyo.org/Wellness or call 307.688.8051.
Rachel Wilde, PBT, CPT, MA, works at CCH Wellness as a Technician and Phlebotomist