Winters in the Midwest can be brutal. Fortunately, spring is right around the corner. Spring cleaning is no doubt on the minds of many residents of our Chicago apartments as they get their homes ready for March Madness get-togethers and St. Patrick’s Day parties. Consider these tips to get your home sparkling clean:
Clean Your Cleaners
Revamp your vacuum. Replace the bag, empty the dust cup and wash or replace the filter. (Then, go ahead and give your floors a once-over).
Deodorize the dishwasher. After cleaning up food particles from around the filter, remove it. Rinse it thoroughly with hot water. Run a cycle with dishwasher cleaner once a month to keep odors at bay.
Remove Gunk and Grime
Detox dirty drains. Combine 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup table salt. Pour it down the drain and follow up with one cup hot water.
Clean the spaces between tiles. Make a solution of one-gallon water and 3/4 cup chlorine bleach. Wearing eye protection and rubber gloves, apply a stiff brush to one small section at a time to remove debris from grout.
Deep-clean the oven. Use a spray bottle of ammonia to attack burnt-on food. Follow up with a sprinkling of baking soda and white vinegar. Let it bubble. Then, banish the gunk with a scrub brush.
Makeover your microwave. Place in a 4-cup microwave-safe dish one cup water and several tablespoons vinegar or a chopped lemon, lime, or orange. Microwave on high until the mixture boils or the inside of the appliance becomes steamy. After it cools down, wipe away any food residue.
Freshen Up Linens and Upholstery
Remove dust from drapes. Place them in the dryer for 15 minutes on the “air only” setting. Hang them up right away afterward so they don’t wrinkle.
Spruce up your bed. Launder sheets, blankets and pillows and use your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools on the sides of the mattress. Wipe out stains with light suds or upholstery cleaner. Apply disinfectant once it’s dry.
Our apartments in Chicago feature on-site restaurants, lounge areas and a sundeck where residents can relax after all that spring cleaning. Call our office to learn more about our floor plans and amenities.