As I plan my calendar each month, I schedule chores that are appropriate for the season. This is the time of year when we all want to be outside–and there is a lot of work to be done in the garden. But it’s also time for spring cleaning, time to take care of annual chores in and around the house.
I’ve already done some of my spring chores, such as turning on the outdoor faucets and storing my winter clothes in mothballs. I’ve also taken down the storm windows, checked that the air-conditioning and automatic-watering systems are working, touched up paint on outdoor furniture, and dusted and turned off the furnace. Earlier this year, I took the lawn mower in to be serviced.
These tasks reflect the fact that I live in a part of the country where the winters are cold and snowy. My house needs to go through these annual rituals to adjust to the change in seasons.
But regardless where you live, spring, the season of renewal, still is a wonderful time to clean house.
Begin by giving each room a thorough cleaning. Do what you normally do, but go a step further: really get those cobwebs out of the corners, deep-clean wall-to- wall carpets, wax wood furniture instead of just dusting.
Mop and wax floors if necessary–especially if they’ve been through a winter of snow boots.
Wash or dry clean the curtains. Clean out your cupboards and replace the shelf liners.
Dig into those closets
Now also is a good time to clean out your closets. Gather together everything that you don’t wear anymore. If you’re honest with yourself, you can be generous to a charity. (Don’t forget to get a receipt for tax purposes.)
Think about reorganizing the closets as well. If you’ve always meant to install an efficient shelving system, go ahead and do it.
Spring also is the best time to thoroughly wash windows, inside and out. You can’t really do a good job of it in the dead of winter (the cleaning products may freeze), and if you wait until it’s high summer, they may dry too quickly, leaving streaks.
While you’re at it, clean the window frames and sills. Murphy’s Oil Soap is good on wood (just be sure to dry the area thoroughly).
A house’s exterior often goes uncared for season after season, but it shouldn’t. Take the time to scrub down the outside of a painted house (or just the painted trim on a brick or masonry house) with a stiff brush to remove dirt.
Sweep and wash porches and deck, and clean out gutters.
And don’t forget the outdoor grill. Scrub down the rack and make sure you’ve got a full propane tank or a good supply of charcoal. Then, after all your hard work, you can take time to relax and have a barbecue.
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Martha Stewart welcomes letters. She cannot reply individually, but you may write to her in care of the Chicago Tribune, Home section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Or send e-mail to TribHome@aol.com.
