Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Florida Home

The seasons have changed and springtime is here! In addition to longer days and nicer weather, the ever popular spring cleaning season is upon us. Spring cleaning’s popularity is rumored to have taken root because the weather is nice enough to open windows and air out your home, but not hot enough to carry the humidity and bugs associated with summer. It’s also a good time to make sure your Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland or Winter Haven home is prepared for the hot summer months.\n\nWhile every Central Florida new home (or old home) has its own unique characteristics and needs when it comes to straightening things up, there are a few basics that anyone can fall back on when it comes to spring cleaning.\n\nDusting, sorting, replacing, washing not sure where to start?  Here are a few handy tips we have gathered to make your spring cleaning easier than a summer breeze. (Hint:  make sure you have all the cleaning supplies you need beforehand so you won’t be tempted to put it off.)\n\nKitchen\n

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• Clean inside and outside of refrigerator — this is a great opportunity to throw out expired food products, since you will be emptying the shelves to clean them.
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• Wipe down microwave
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• Clean stove and over
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• Wipe down shelves in cupboards and inside drawers
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• Clean garbage disposal blades by grinding ice and freshen it with baking soda and/or citrus rinds
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• Clean or replace your range hood filter
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• Wipe down shower and tub and re-caulk if your caulking has cracks or is moldy
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• Clean toilet, countertops and mirrors
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• Sweep and mop the floor
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• Wipe down shelves in cupboards and inside drawers
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• Clean/launder bath mats, shower curtain, rugs, etc.
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• Vacuum/sweep and mop floor
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• Polish furniture
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• Dust electronics/media centers
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• Organize DVDs, remote controls, magazines, etc.
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• Clean sofas and pillows
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• Wash all bedding including your mattress cover
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• Wash pillows (or replace if necessary)
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• Rotate and flip mattress
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• Organize and clean out closet
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• Dust furniture surfaces and ceiling fans
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• Vacuum, wash or dry clean all carpets, rugs and draperies
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• Wipe down walls, baseboards and light switches
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• Wash windows (inside and out) and windowsills
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• Wipe down blinds
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• Change air filters
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• Apply a light coat of wax to wood cabinets and furniture
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• Test all smoke detectors (this should actually be done monthly)
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• Check caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors, inside and out — you want your home sealed tight for the warm months to come
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• Check for cracks on the exterior of your home and seal them up with proper caulking
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• Clean sliding door track and apply silicone lubricant if necessary
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• Oil moving parts of garage door
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• Visually inspect roof for broken shingles and clean rain gutters
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• Check your attic for evidence of roof leaks, and ensure your attic soffit vents are not blocked with insulation — if they are, move the insulation back to its original location on the attic floor
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• Pressure wash soffits, walkways, and roofing to rid of mildew
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