Why Fall Cleaning Is Just As Important As Spring Cleaning

The truth is deep cleaning your house once a year, in the springtime isn’t enough. We recommend a deep dive quarterly if possible, but we understand that three months flies by faster than most of realize as its happening—and before we know it the tasks before us feel overwhelming. This is why Spring Cleaning is so daunting… because for most the last time you tackled this task was a year ago! 😱 

Which is why we recommend a Deep Fall Clean to prepare your house your winter and the holidays. 

First start reconsider our Three Spring Cleaning Tips and reconsider those giving those areas your attention. Then take a tour of your home, try to overlook “the stuff” and look at the parts of your house that might have seen some extra dirt or usage over the summer (bathrooms, storage areas, closets, and entry ways usually suffer when we’re going outdoors more and having extra fun. Make a list of the top three things that you see that bother you and make a plan to tackle them. Perhaps it’s a Friday stay home day and you get the whole family involved, we suggest making cleaning solutions together (here’s a few kid-friendly tips) turning up some fun tunes and making a day of it. 

After a little cleaning overhaul of your most used spaces, if you’re feeling good we suggest tackling a few of your big items. Like the dishwasher, washing machine and shower. 

Cleaning Your Dishwasher

Most of us turn to the Dishwasher to clean, so we sometimes forget it needs some cleaning too. Over time food, grease, soap scum and debris build up in these machines and provide a breeding ground for germs, and reduces the efficiency of the appliance.

The first step is to clear the drain: Remove the bottom dish rack. Inspect the dishwasher drain, removing any gunk or food caught there. This will improve drainage, increase cleaning efficiency and prevent damage to the dishwasher.

Second, put vinegar in dishwasher: Start with an empty dishwasher. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle. This will wash away grease and grime and remove musty odors, too.

Lastly, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short, hot water cycle. Voila!

To clean your Washing Machine
Cleaning a washing machine is similar to following the steps above to clean your dishwasher (accept its a bit more work) sorry!. 

Before cleaning the washer drum, wipe the entire inside with vinegar. Start by setting the washer to the highest level and the hottest water temperature and two cups of white cleaning vinegar to detergent dispenser and run your machine. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum. When cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth.