Spring Cleaning Tips…Some Forgotten Areas

By
Home Stager

Spring Cleaning Tips…Some Forgotten Areas

 

With Spring officially here, many of our thoughts turn to…SPRING CLEANING!  I’m kidding…let’s face it, we think of warmer weather, Spring Break, and flowers! 

However, this is the time of year that’s perfect for making your house look and smell as clean as a beautiful spring morning. 

 

There are lists upon lists of what to clean but let’s talk about the forgotten or put-off-until-the-end items. 

Spring Cleaning Tips…Some Forgotten Areas

*Your Medicine Cabinet

Check your medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and throw away expired ones. 

If you have prescription pills that you no longer take, dispose of them properly. And when tossing pill containers, be sure to remove the label.

 


*Do a Pantry Check

Canned goods have a longer shelf life than the expiration date stamped on the label. However, you should discard cans that have rust, dents, or swelling.

Packaged items, if not opened, can still be used. 

So, there’s no need to toss items that can still be used. 

 

If you know there are items that you will no longer use or need more room in the pantry, consider donating them to your local food bank. 

 

*Give your fridge and freezer a good cleaning.  

-This can be an easy one and all you’ll need are soap, baking soda, water, and possibly bleach and vinegar. 

 

While most of us toss items weekly from the fridge, it’s always good to give the inside and out a good cleaning. You can use warm water and baking soda to clean shelves and drawers.

 

Keep an open box of baking soda on a lower shelf to absorb future odors. 


Don’t forget the gasket that helps to seal your door. 

 

Check your owner’s manual on how to clean your refrigerator coils and the water dispenser. 

*Give your hardworking dishwasher and washing machine a  thorough cleaning, inside and out. 

Of course, you’ll want to check your owner’s manual first. However, good old water and bleach or use something like Tide Washing Machine cleaner. It’s a good idea to run an extra rinse cycle to make sure any bleach is removed. 

 

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be done in one day!  


Make a list of what you want to do…some people take one room at a time while others will tackle one chore, such as cleaning the baseboards, and do it all at one time. 

 

Do what works for you!

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (23)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Kathy.... my dishwasher and clothes washer are cleaned every single month. My fridge not as often, but I wipe it down regularly as it's rarely stuffed full of food. My pantry needs a good sorting out... I did it a few months ago, but no doubt it needs it again.

Mar 23, 2023 04:56 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker like you I wipe down my fridge regularly. I'm reorganizing my pantry!!!  Just did the dishwasher and the washing machine is next!

Mar 23, 2023 04:52 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

The medicine cabinet is one place that I think many may not clean out often enough. I recently went through ours and found some old pills in the back!

Mar 23, 2023 05:15 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400  I do toss meds we no longer need. I need to tackle the first aid kit I have. 

Mar 23, 2023 04:54 PM
Joe Jackson
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Columbus, OH
Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert

This is an excellent post with great information. Thanks for sharing it.

Have a super fantastic week!
Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP

Mar 23, 2023 05:47 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Joe Jackson Hope you're having a great week!!!

Mar 23, 2023 04:55 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - was it seasonal cleaning or something else?  I recently deleted page after page of AR notifications.  A regular maintenance program has so many applications throughout our lives.  

Mar 23, 2023 06:41 AM
Kathy Streib

Michael Jacobs I truly don't like email and often when I'm sitting waiting for something, that's when I'll delete all the promotions that are in my inbox. 

Mar 23, 2023 04:56 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

My medicine cab sure needs a clean-up.  Great information.  Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!  Bill

Mar 23, 2023 07:05 AM
Kathy Streib

Bill Salvatore - East Valley good time to do it!!!

Mar 23, 2023 04:57 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Medicine cabinets and pantry...wow are they a pain in the butt when I am listing a home...lol

Mar 23, 2023 08:32 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty everyone is so busy, it's easy for pantries to be overlooked!  Buyers will look too!!

Mar 23, 2023 05:06 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Great reminders for sure, spring cleaning is necessary and I have made a list and do one item or two a day. Need to get ready for the Spring Silobration, Kathy!

Mar 23, 2023 09:08 AM
Kathy Streib

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! that's the way to do it!  I like to make lists and love being able to cross something off. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:07 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Spring is in the air it is a great time to do some spring cleaning. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great afternoon.

Mar 23, 2023 09:36 AM
Kathy Streib

Pat Champion I think many people think of spring cleaning especially if you're in the north where you're closed off in your home. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:08 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy and Refri done last week and second bedroom done two weeks ago and window washing company was done March 13. 

Mar 23, 2023 09:38 AM
Kathy Streib

Wow Will Hamm you've been busy!!!!

Mar 23, 2023 05:09 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc 610-225-7400 - Devon, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Good tips, and a good reminder of what we often forget needs cleaning.

Mar 23, 2023 11:10 AM
Kathy Streib

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 Thank you. These are items that we use every day but they're often forgotten. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:11 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Great information Kathy Streib . We just got a new fridge so that one is taken care of. I appreciate the tip to remove labels on discarded meds as I had not heard that before.

Mar 23, 2023 12:36 PM
Kathy Streib

Bob "RealMan" Timm it may be a bit paranoid of me, but I do that and when I did receive magazines, I'd tear the mailing label off. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:12 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I inventoried my canned goods a couple weeks ago.  And, organized them using "Best Buy" dates from front to back of the shelves.  I tossed several cans.  I had never had to do that before.  I think I overstocked during the pandemic.  I'm doing OK on toilet paper though.🙃

Mar 23, 2023 12:56 PM
Kathy Streib

Myrl Jeffcoat LOL, I think many of us stocked up over the past few years. And, it's not a bad idea to do so. I have almost everything necessary to make several meals, except for fresh produce. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:15 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Mar 23, 2023 12:58 PM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Myrl Jeffcoat Very much appreciated. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:16 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy,

Those are great tips that I would not think about.  We finally have a dry day and spring is in the air!

Mar 23, 2023 01:00 PM
Kathy Streib

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® I always have baking soda and vinegar around!!!!! 

Mar 23, 2023 05:17 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share. 

We need to do some more spring cleaning and our yard also needs some work.

Mar 23, 2023 01:32 PM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley Larry's been doing yard work this week since the weather turned warmer, Hello to Chef Dolores. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:18 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy I do not think we have ever done a Spring cleaning of our medicine cabinet, but it is a great idea.

Mar 23, 2023 03:21 PM
Kathy Streib

George Souto I had a few OTC meds that were old that I tossed. They were the ones we bought, used once or twice and never needed them again. 

Mar 23, 2023 05:25 PM
John Pusa
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Crest - Glendale, CA
Your All Time Realtor With Exceptional Service

Hello Kathy Streib very valuable list of tips for Spring cleaning, and some forgotten areas too!

Mar 23, 2023 08:34 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy you and Diane are on the same page, I rather keep expired drugs:) not as effective but let's face it they are still good:)Endre

Mar 23, 2023 10:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great tips, Kathy. Needless to say I really enjoy cleaning out cabinets and closets of all kind all year long!

My refrigerator is almost always empty compared to most family's refrigerators. We shop once a week and most of what I buy is fresh and cannot be bought in large quantities without spoiling.

Mar 24, 2023 07:05 AM
Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Spring cleaning is more effective if one starts small and really opens their eyes to what needs to be done.

Apr 02, 2023 10:07 AM