Many people take advantage of spring weather to deep clean their homes. Spring cleaning is a great time to de-clutter, sanitize, and spruce up the interior and exterior of your house. Whether you plan on selling your DFW home or just want to retain its value, following are five areas you might be forgetting when it comes to spring cleaning.

Disinfect Your Mattresses

While many people wash their bed linens regularly, they might overlook the need to spruce up their mattress and remove particles that contribute to allergens. Good Housekeeping recommends using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to suck away dust and other particles like dead skin cells. After taking off all linens and blankets, vacuum the sides and top of your mattress. If you don’t use a pillow top mattress, consider turning it over every few months. After vacuuming, spray a disinfecting spray such as Lysol on your mattress and leave to air dry before putting sheets back on your bed.

Wipe Out Drawers

The contents of drawers tend to receive more attention than the drawer itself. When organizing shelving and drawers during your spring cleaning, be sure to wipe down the surfaces of drawers and cabinets with a slightly damp rag or microfiber cloth so that you can remove dirt and dust.

Clean Your Oven and Microwave

When it comes to spring cleaning, HGTV advises folks to clean their ovens and microwaves. To clean your oven, wipe away large spills and remove any debris that you can with a sponge. Then set your oven to self-clean mode. When it comes to cleaning a microwave, you have a couple options. You can simply scrub away stains and food with a soft sponge and dish soap, or you can set a microwave-safe bowl filled with water, lemon wedges, and a few tablespoons of vinegar inside your microwave. Then, according to Heloise of Good Housekeeping-fame, turn your microwave on high for a few minutes so that the solution inside the bowl boils. The steam from the bowl’s mixture will help sanitize and deodorize your microwave. Leave the microwave closed for about 15 minutes so the mixture can cool. Once cooled, remove the bowl and wipe out the inside with a dishcloth or damp sponge.

Wash Glass Fixtures

Small glass fixtures used for wall sconces and ceiling fans are prime surfaces for collecting dust and even dead bugs. While many fixtures can be cleaned by wiping with a soft microfiber cloth, easy-to-remove glass fixtures from sconces and fans can be placed in your dishwasher for a deep, sanitizing clean. Be sure not to clean anything in your dishwasher that has wood or metal trim. Good Housekeeping also suggests cleaning items like toothbrush holders, soap dishes, and plastic toys in your dishwasher, too.

Vacuum/Sweep Behind Furniture and Appliances

Surfaces beneath heavy items like sofas and refrigerators are commonly overlooked when it comes to cleaning. Enlist a friend or family member to help you slide bulky furniture and appliances away from walls. Better Homes and Gardens recommends using the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or a long handled dust mop to collect dirt and dust in hard to reach places. Not only will this help protect your flooring, it will potentially reduce allergens in your home.

By tackling a few tasks each day or reserving a couple weekends for cleaning, you can have a spotless house in no time. For more deep cleaning tips, check out this Blue Matter post.

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