28 Spring-Cleaning Tips - Cleaning - Tips

Set Your Clocks Ahead One Hour

When daylight saving time rolls around, set your clocks to "spring forward" one hour. Remember to adjust any timers on household gadgets, indoor and outdoor lights, and those regulating the thermostats on your heating system.


28 Spring-Cleaning Tips - Cleaning - Tips

Get Rid of Dust

When dusting, move around the room in a circle, starting with the highest points and working your way down to the floor, says cleaning expert Laura Dellutri of healthyhousekeeper.com, who suggests using Swiffer dusters, air purifiers, and vacuums with sealed HEPA filters to get the most thorough clean.

28 Spring-Cleaning Tips - Cleaning - Tips

Grow Herbs Inside

Start kitchen herbs inside and transplant later in May. Basil, chives, dill, parsley, and fennel can be started from seeds. Oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, and tarragon do better if you start them from small plants or cuttings.

28 Spring-Cleaning Tips - Cleaning - Tips

Air Out Rugs

Air out throw rugs on a clothesline to freshen.

28 Spring-Cleaning Tips - Cleaning - Tips

Clean the Deck

Clean the deck to remove grime, pollen, fungus, and mildew. Scrub the surface with a deck cleanser or this homemade cleaning formula: Add 1 cup of powdered laundry detergent to a gallon of hot water, and add 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach to kill moss or mildew.

28 Spring-Cleaning Tips - Cleaning - Tips

DIY Bathroom Air Freshener

For natural and continuous air-freshening, douse cotton balls with your favorite fragrant oil and put one or two in corners and in the medicine cabinet.