Some spring cleaning tips to keep your Belclaire home in tip-top shape

The home is where we spend more time than anywhere else, especially when it’s a Belclaire home built just for you and your family. So, why not do some seasonal cleaning to keep it in tip-top shape for the coming warmer months? Real Simple has some tips and tricks that will help you tackle your cleaning to-do list as quickly and efficiently as possible. We summarized them but you can read the full article here.

• Break cleaning down into 10-minute chunks
  Sometimes spring cleaning is like a marathon, but it doesn’t have to be. Break it down into short, highly productive chunks. A few things you can clean in the next 10 minutes:Dust: brush a dust wand over all open surfaces
  Clean doors and switch plates: remove fingerprints, smudges and germs from light switch plates with a damp microfiber cloth.
  Dust ceiling fans: place a pillowcase over the fan blade and pull it toward you to collect the dust, then use a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water to clean each blade.
  Baseboards: use a microfiber mop to clear dust and debris from your baseboards
• Adapt to your cleaning personality
  Some people are stress cleaners while others are procrastinators. Identifying your cleaning personality is the first step to coming up with a plan that works for you. For example, if you’re an angry cleaner, let your emotion motivate you to tackle tough cleaning tasks like scrubbing grout.
• Mix up your own all-natural cleanser
  Whether you’re trying to use less chemicals or you just want some backup for when you run out of your usual cleanser, it’s good to know how to make your own cleaning solution using ingredients you probably already have. This recipe can be used on quartz, granite and marble counters, plus appliances and sinks:
  ¾ cup water
  ¾ cup rubbing alcohol
  5-10 drops peppermint, lemon or orange essential oil
  1 squirt natural dish soap
  Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth. Voila!
• De-stink your gym clothes
  For many people, warmer weather doesn’t just signal us to spring clean, but also to recommit to working out. To deodorize your gym clothes, try soaking them in one part white vinegar to four parts cold water. If that doesn’t work, try switching to cotton blend workout clothes.
• Make your trash smell better
  Help your kitchen trash smell a little more pleasant by placing a couple dryer sheets on the bottom of the can – used ones work great!
• Use baking soda to refresh stained coffee mugs
  Even the Statue of Liberty was cleaned with baking soda on its centennial. To clean off stained coffee mugs, fill the mug with one part baking soda and two parts water. Let them soak overnight and rub clean with a sponge.
• Clear gunk off your oven door
  If the inside of your oven door is caked with splatters and baked-on food, try wetting a pumice stone, scrubbing and wiping clean with a wet microfiber cloth.
• Make shower cleaning second nature
  One tip is to keep a squeegee in your shower so it’s easy to remember to wipe down the walls, but some people like to keep a dish wand filled with dish soap and vinegar in the shower so you can scrub while you’re in it!

Your home is a place that reflects you. Learn more about building a Belclaire home to suit your family in Windsong Ranch in Prosper, Emerald Heights in McKinney and Castle Hills in Lewisville. At the moment, our model homes in these communities can be viewed by appointment only, however, you can see some of our available homes here.