Spring Cleaning: 11 tips for a more effective clean-up

This article is reprinted from Wine Country Real Estate, a special advertising section of The Press Democrat.

With spring on the horizon, it's time to fling open the windows, breathe the fresh air, and clean out corners that were neglected all winter. In addition to feeling good, there's another reason for this old custom: it's good for our health. And it should go deeper than a more-vigorous-than-usual regular cleaning. Over the years, as I inspect homes prior to putting them on the market, I've seen many problems stemming from ignoring these hidden spots.

Check your Furnace Filter

Ideally this should be done every 3-6 months. If it's thick with dirt and dust, the filter's not working very well and neither is your furnace. Fuel efficiency suffers when the filter is dirty. While you're at it, check any other filters in your home.

Check Smoke Detectors

Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every spring. Some people do this when they change their clocks. Then you don't have to try to think back to when you last changed the battery or wonder whether the smoke detector will work when you need it. Or whether it will wake you at 3 am one fine morning to let you know the battery is low.

Check Ducting

I've checked ducting under houses and found some of it sitting on the ground. Ground moisture had caused damage and some ducting needed to be replaced. Ducting needs to be cleaned out periodically. Companies offer this service and, unless you like crawling under the house, it's a bargain.

Carpets and Drapes

Carpets hold germs and allergens. Even if you vacuum regularly, carpets need to be steam cleaned for the health of your household. If there are smokers in the home or if there used to be (hopefully they've quit by now), carpets and drapes need more frequent cleaning. Walls need to be washed down to remove the nicotine residue.

Leaving shoes at the door, a common practice in Asia that has been spreading through the US, helps keep carpets clean and lessens your workload as you race through the housecleaning.

'Mold Magnets'

Some areas tend to collect mold, which is harmful to our health and needs to be removed with bleach. Mold on windowsills is easy to notice. Mold in the back of the closet isn't. It's always that last box way back in the corner that you never have reason to move, that has mold behind or under it. Move furniture away from walls. You'll be amazed at what you find. I've known people who have found heirloom jewelry and important papers they've been looking for frantically. A dehumidifier can be very useful in basements and other areas that tend to hold moisture.

Under the Sinks

I once had some work done in my kitchen. The workers drilled through the sheetrock and, inadvertently, through a pipe as well. It was a pinhole, but over the years the slow drip did a lot of damage, and I had to tear a section out and replace a large area of wall and cabinetry.

While you're peering under the sink, check for loose fittings and run your hand along the pipes and connections to check for moisture. Some problems can only be seen from under the house. If you're not enthused about crawling under the house, have someone crawl under for you and check for leaks. Hiring someone to do this is a good investment and ultimately can save you hundreds or thousands in repairs.

Chimney Check-up

It's essential to have your chimney cleaned at least once a year. Most people wait until fireplace season is about to start, when the chimney sweeps are swamped with work. There's no reason not to call in the spring or summer, after you've made your last fire of the season, to set up this potentially lifesaving appointment.

Roof Repair

Check your roof and gutters in the spring and fall. If the gutters are plugged and water backs up, it will cause your eaves to rot. It's preferable to check from a ladder because walking around on the roof isn't good for the shingles.

Is it just dust?

Dust may seem harmless. Who has time to dust in the midst of a busy life? But if anyone in your home is prone to allergies or asthma, dust could be a culprit. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends bare floors instead of carpet; using allergen-impermeable covers over pillows, mattresses, and box springs; and washing linens and stuffed animals in hot water every week.

Managing Expired Medications

Don't forget to include the medicine cabinet in your spring cleaning. Expired medications can be ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst. If they're out of date, it's time to chuck them, but not down the toilet or drain which puts them into our water system. Visit http://www.recyclenow.org/toxics/medications.asp to find medication disposal sites near you.

Thinking Natural

Companies would have us think we can't have a clean house without their products, but old-fashioned household items work just as well for many cleaning jobs. Try lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda for everyday cleaning projects.

While you're thinking natural, it won't hurt to ditch the synthetic fragrances. They may have hormone-disrupting chemicals in them. Vinyl products, such as new shower curtains, give off chemical gasses, as do certain paints and adhesives. Look for no-VOC paints and adhesives that are free of formaldehyde.

Kitchen Clean-Up

Counters, cutting boards, sponges, and other tools should be disinfected every week. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to get into easily-missed corners, replace sponges, and see what else may have reached the end of its useful life. Running the dishwasher with a tablespoon of vinegar kills mold in those impossible-to-reach crevices.

Seem like a lot to think about? These projects don't have to be done all at once. List the ones you'll do yourself and put them on the calendar for different Sundays in March and April. List the ones you'll hire out and put them on your 'calls' list. Chip away at them and you'll have the satisfaction of providing a safe and healthy home for your family.