The warm weather has returned, and you have only one thought in mind: being able to enjoy your summertime weekends ensconced in your comfortable country cottage!
With the snow on the ground finally melting there is no shortage of spring cleaning to be done in cottage country. After many months left alone, things can get a little musty and rusty—not to mention all that dust! We have a few tips that will help you tackle your cottage spring clean and get your summer home ready just in time for May long weekend
1. Load up your dishwasher (not with dishes).
Don’t overlook the convenience of this hardworking appliance. It can take on unusual things, like your glass light-fixture globes, beach toys, toothbrush holders, and so much more. Just choose a gentle cycle and skip the heated dry.
2. Wash your windows when it’s cloudy.
Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the cottage: Direct sun may dry the cleanser before you can wipe it off, leaving streaks. And use vertical strokes on one side of a window and horizontal ones on the other — this way, when you spot a streak, you’ll know which side it’s on. As for dusting, wait for a sunny day, when particles will be easier to see. You want a beautiful view of your outdoor paradise, so don’t skip this step!
3. Dust all your forgotten places.
Like your lamp shades and drapes! Put your dryer to work and toss drapes, curtains, and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the “air-only” cycle, then rehang immediately to prevent wrinkles. Another spot to tackle? Your lampshade. Speed up the process with a lint roller.
4. Swipe away fur.
Removing pesky pet hair from upholstery and drapes is tedious, and cleaning a lint brush is a nightmare. But all you need are rubber gloves to rid your furniture of fur — just pull on your traditional gloves, dampen them and collect the problem fuzz.
7. Deep clean drawers and cabinets.
No one wants mice droppings in their panty! Suck up dust and debris with the your vacuum’s nozzle. Genius, we know.
8. Dig into grimy grout.
Stained spaces between your tile are a serious eyesore. To fix that up quick, mix 3/4 cup household chlorine bleach with 1 gallon water. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Use a stiff brush to apply to one small area at a time. Be careful not to let the liquid spatter onto surrounding surfaces. Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse.
9. Attack dirty drains.
To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes — longer does not work any better. Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially good for seldom-used drains, like in a guest bathroom.
10. Get rid unnecessary items.
That means magazines and catalogs, junk that’s been lying around the cottage for seasons, old toys, broken electronics, etc. If they’re just making your cottage way more cluttered, it’s time for a trip to the recycling bin and second-hand store.
11. Attack oven gunk.
After gently chipping off any loose pieces from your range, liberally spritz burnt-on food with ammonia from a spray bottle. Then sprinkle some baking soda and add just a few drops of white vinegar. Let it bubble for a minute or two, then whisk away the grime with a scrub sponge.
12. Focus on your fridge.
Scan for items from last summer that absolutely need to go. Pop out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage. Get ready to load iup your newly cleaned fridge with new condiments and other staples.
13. Freshen up your sink.
Got kitchen stink you just can’t kick? Try running a couple of lemon rinds through your garbage disposal, and follow with cold water to dispel the smell.
14. Prep your patio furniture.
With warm weather almost here, it’s time to get your outdoor furniture ready for use. To do this, add a squirt of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, then wipe down tables and chairs. Finish it all off with a spray of water from the garden hose. Pull it out of the basement and onto the patio – time to enjoy the outdoors again!
Apply Jayne’s Cottages hacks for spring cleaning your cottage and we guarantee you will spend less time cleaning this summer and more time enjoying the great outdoors! Let us know how these spring cleaning tricks worked for you!
