Spring Cleaning 101
Chelsea Burns, Content Editor
March 16, 2023
Does the new season have you ready for a fresh start? Here are some spring cleaning tips and inspiration on where to get started with some help from our Chief Innovation Scientist, Syed.
A Cleaning Timeline Cheat Sheet:
There’s a sweet spot for how often you should be washing certain things in your house (too often and you’ll wear them down, too little and… yuck. Plus, you’re wasting electricity and water if you’re washing things more often than needed.), but it’s different for everything depending on a few factors. Here are some things you might be forgetting and how often you should be putting them on your wash list.
Upholstered Furniture: 3 times a year
Fabric furniture is comfy and versatile with so many different fabrics to choose from, but it can get tricky when it comes time to cleaning it—especially if the fabric isn’t removable. And while you’ll want to treat any stains as soon as they happen, it’s also good to give upholstered furniture a deep clean a few times a year to keep it in the best looking condition. But, before you get started, you’ll first want to check the label of the fabric to see what sort of cleaner you can use on it. We learned from The Spruce that furniture labels have codes on them to indicate the best and safest way to clean the fabric without damaging it. Here’s what to look for:
Code W: Fabric can be cleaned with water-based cleaning solvents.
Code S: Use only a dry cleaning or water-free solvent to remove stains and soils from the upholstery. The use of these chemicals requires a well-ventilated room and no open flames like fireplaces or candles.
Code W-S: The upholstery can be cleaned with either water-based or solvent-based products.
Code X: This fabric should only be cleaned by vacuuming or by a professional. Any type of home cleaning product can cause staining and shrinking.
So, you’ll only want to use Blueland on fabrics marked with code W. All clear? Here’s what to do:
Supplies/What you’ll need:
- Vacuum
- Blueland Dish Soap
- Sponge or Cloth x 2
- Dry Towel
How To:
- Vacuum the furniture to remove dust and dirt.
- Mix one tablespoon of Dish Soap powder with one gallon of warm water.
- Dip a sponge or cloth in the solution and wring it out until it’s just damp enough.
- Wipe down the fabric using small strokes in the same direction.
- Follow up with a clean, damp sponge or cloth.
- Blot the fabric with a towel to soak up any excess moisture, then let air dry before using.
Area Rugs: Once a year
You spot clean your rugs, but when was the last time you cleaned the whole thing? While many people steam clean their rugs, most rugs can also handle a good wash just like your clothes. The key is waiting for sunny weather so that you’re able to hang it outside to dry. Here’s how to do it:
Supplies/What you’ll need:
- Vacuum
- Blueland Oxi Laundry Booster
- Cleaning Brush
How To:
- Vacuum the rug *on both sides* to remove dirt, dust, and any other surface residue.
- Mix 2 lid fulls of Oxi Laundry Booster with a gallon of warm water.
- Spot check! Apply a little of the solution to a small corner of the rug, let it sit a few hours then rinse to see if it’s altered the colors or fabric at all. No? Keep going!
- Take your rug outside and pour water over the whole thing to get it soaked and ready to shampoo.
- Use a sturdy cleaning brush to work the mixture into the rug and let it sit for an hour.
- Rinse all of the solution out of the rug.
- Ring out the rug as much as possible, then let it dry completely before putting it back in place.
- Once it’s back, vacuum over it one more to loosen up the fibers and help them go back to their normal position.
Walls: Once a year
Who knew that cleaning your walls was a thing?! Luckily it’s not too hard and super satisfying. Here’s what to do:
Supplies/What you’ll need:
- Duster or Dry Towel
- Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Sponge or Cloth x 2
- Start by dusting your walls with a duster or dry towel and clearing any cobwebs.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of Multi-Surface Cleaner with four cups of water.
- Dip a sponge or cloth in the solution and wring it out until it’s just damp.
- Starting at the top of the wall, swirl the sponge or cloth in a circular motion as you move down the wall, re-dipping and wringing out the sponge or cloth frequently.
- Once you’ve finished, do the same thing with a clean, damp sponge or cloth (just water, no cleaning solution) to clear away any suds/cleaning residue.
Comforter: 2-3 times a year
Similar to a coat, comforters never touch your skin (unless you don’t sleep with a top sheet…), which means you can typically go longer between washes. Not only is this nice for your to-do list, it also helps keep your comforter looking better for longer. Once it is time to wash, take a look at your comforter’s care label to determine the best way to wash it. Most comforters can go in the washing machine with our Laundry Tablets and Oxi Laundry Booster (for extra cleaning power), just like your clothes and other laundry. Since comforters are bulky, wash and dry them by themselves to get the best and most efficient clean. And when it comes to drying, our wool Dryer Balls are your friend! They help to move the comforter filling around so that the warm air can circulate more efficiently which can help reduce the drying time.
Supplies/What you’ll need:
Should you try laundry stripping?
Laundry stripping is a deep cleaning technique involving soaking your laundry in a bathtub of detergent for hours. Here’s how to do it with the planet in mind.
Supplies/What you’ll need:
How To:
- Fill a tub or container with hot water and add in 2 scoops of Oxi Laundry Booster along with two laundry tablets.
- Once the booster and tablets have dissolved in the water, drop in your dirtiest and smelliest hats, clothes, and towels and let them soak until the water cools (around 4 hours is ideal).
- Wring out as much water as possible then put them in the washing machine on a water-only cycle and dry accordingly.
