Page 32 - Robeson Living Spring 2021
P. 32

By Jessie Jones, Extension FCS Agent




       Spring has officially sprung…evident by the allergy-inducing   through and get rid of items you no longer use (e.g., clothes,
       layer of pollen on everything! With the warmer temperatures   cookware, dishes, linens, etc.). These items can be donated to a
       and longer days, many are preparing gardens and working to   local goodwill store or donation center if still in good, useable
       clean up their yards. Now is also the perfect time for some   condition.
       much-needed indoor spring cleaning, so throw open your win-
       dow and ditch the winter blues!                           One important thing to remember is that you cannot tackle all
                                                                 of this at once; plan to clean over the course of couple of days
       A deep cleaning of your home will allow you to get rid of all   or weekends. Pace yourself, and involve family and children in
       the dirt and dust that as built up over the winter months. Follow   tasks that are age appropriate.
       these easy tips to make spring cleaning a breeze:
                                                                 We all know cleaning products can be expensive. To help save
       1.     Plan to thoroughly clean each room in your home and   money, consider making your own cleaning products with sim-
       consider starting in the bedrooms or bathrooms.           ple recipes using many items you already have in your home.
       2.     Start by laundering sheets, towels, linens, and curtains
       and vacuuming surfaces such as mattresses, pillows, bed skirts,   Here are a few recipes:
       and other upholstery items (e.g., chairs and couches).    All-Purpose Cleaner
       3.     Be sure to dust surfaces using a clean, soft microfiber   •   3 tablespoon white vinegar
       cloth.                                                    •      ½ teaspoon washing soda
       4.     Vacuum  rugs,  under  furniture,  around  appliances,   •   ½ teaspoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap
       and any other “hard to reach places” you may avoid in sur-  •    2 cups hot water
       face cleanings throughout the year. If possible, pull appliances
       away from the walls for easier cleaning, especially the sides of   Mix  ingredients  in  spray  bottle  or  bucket. Apply  and  wipe
       stoves and refrigerators where dust and grease can build up.  clean.
       5.     Wash all floors and walls, especially in bathrooms and
       kitchens, using an all-purpose floor cleaner. Using a damp mop   Drain Cleaner
       instead of a broom will help.                             For slow drains, use this drain cleaner once a week to keep
       6.     Don’t forget about closets and storage areas. Be sure   drains fresh and clog-free.
       to launder any winter items (e.g., coats, blankets, clothes, etc.)   •   ½ cup baking soda
       you  plan  to  store  to  avoid  attracting  unwanted  pests  during   •   1 cup white vinegar
       storage.                                                  •      1 gallon boiling water
       7.     Visit your medicine cabinets and dispose of medicines
       out of date or no longer used safely. The FDA has directions   Pour baking soda down drain/disposal, followed by vinegar.
       for safe medicine disposal. You can also visit local drugstores   Allow the mixture to foam for several minutes before flushing
       for medical disposal kiosks in many locations.            the drain with boiling water.
       8.     Spring  cleaning  is  also  a  great  opportunity  to  go

       Page 32                                                                               Robeson Living ~ Spring 2021
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