Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Florida Home

A drop zone in your home is a great space to help keep clutter in check from the moment you walk in the door

It’s that time of year again when many of us get the itch to get outside and spruce up our porches and patios, install new landscaping, paint doors, wipe the dust off of our outside furniture, and finally clean those outside windows. When April showers make their appearance and you can’t get much done outdoors, don’t get defeated! There is plenty of spring cleaning you can do inside of your home, as well.

Make your Florida home sparkle and shine with these tips for busting clutter, getting organized, and cleaning your home with ease. We recommend tackling one section or room of your home at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed along the way.

Everything but the kitchen sink (well, that too)

• The best and easiest way to de-clutter your kitchen is to do a sweep. Not with a broom just yet, but by going through and throwing away or donating unwanted items. Discard expired food items in your pantry and refrigerator, and donate tableware and small appliances that you no longer use.
• When you’re done cleaning out what you don’t need, wipe down the inside of your refrigerator and wash out produce bins and shelving in the sink, using warm water and detergent.
• Remove water spots on stainless steel sinks with rubbing alcohol. On a porcelain sink, cover the bottom of the sink with paper towels and soak the paper towels with bleach. Don’t forget to clean the dishwasher by running an empty load.
• To get rid of odors in the garbage disposal, cut up a lemon and drop some salt and ice cubes down there; the lemon deodorizes, and the salt and ice get rid of residue.
• Wipe down shelves, cupboards and drawers. This is also a great opportunity to do some reorganizing if needed.
• Clean the stovetop and oven, and wipe down the microwave. Between oven cleanings, use a nonstick oven liner that can be wiped down with a paper towel and put in the dishwasher so you don’t have to tackle all the mess at once. You can also use the microwave or dishwasher to disinfect that dirty sponge when you’re done scrubbing.
• Lastly, take out the trash and get a good scrub going in the trash can, where germs and odors can linger.

Rub-a-dub-dub that tub

• In the bathroom, donate the hot rollers and other items you no longer use, safely discard expired medicines, toss decades-old makeup, applicators and toiletries, and organize the surviving items in shallow baskets and drawer trays.
• Throw that mildewed shower curtain and liner in the wash along with some towels and hang them up to dry; the towels will help scrub the liner and curtain clean.
• Un-clog your sink, tub and shower drains using a snake tool to remove hair and gunk, and don’t forget to scrub down the toilet and tub.
• Wipe down mirrors with alcohol and clean glass shower doors with white vinegar. For the metal frames, furniture oil will get rid of those pesky water spots.
• Clean tiles with ½ cup baking soda and 1 gallon water (mixed well). Apply the solution with a mop.

Bedroom refresh

• After washing all the linens, pillows and the mattress cover, rotate and flip your mattress. Then, make your bed to instantly create a sense of cleanliness and order. You can even vacuum the tops and sides of your mattress before rotating it.
• Organize and clean your closet using these tips. Be sure to do your laundry first so you can get a better idea of what you’re working with when you tackle the organization. Most everything can be washed cold, but it’s a good idea to use the hottest water for sheets, towels and unmentionables.
• Devote one day to going room to room, pulling and sorting out of season (or out of style) clothing. Decide what to donate and what to store for cooler temperatures.

Finishing touches

• Vacuum rugs, curtains and window coverings. When vacuuming and cleaning floors, start in a far corner and work your way to the other side so you don’t get trapped in the middle.
• Steam clean your carpets and shake out area rugs.
• Wipe down interior painted walls and baseboards with a solution of warm water and dish detergent. Touch-up paint scratches, dings, and nicks in interior walls.
• In the office, file important documents, recycle old magazines and shred old bank, mortgage, credit card statements, and paycheck stubs that you no longer need for taxes or other purposes.
• Test and change the batteries in your smoke detectors!
• Ditch clutter at the door year round by taking advantage of our Florida home plans that include convenient drop zones.

Now it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy your fresh and clean Florida home! Don’t forget to grab some lemonade to sip while relaxing on your porch or lanai and enjoying Florida’s spring weather. Get more home care tips on Highland Homes’ Pinterest page, and visit the Highland Homes blog for additional helpful home design and maintenance articles.