Here it is the beginning of March, one of the busiest months for activities in the desert. Tennis, Fashion, Festivals, Charities... so much to do and see!
It can be a bit overwhelming as there are far too many options. One could be out and doing things every single day! So exciting! It is never boring here. Yet, and despite this being probably the last thing you want to think about, i
t is also time to schedule Spring Cleaning!
The tradition of Spring Cleaning
is rooted in various cultural and religious traditions where a home was cleaned from top to bottom in anticipation of special events including other Countries' New Year celebrations (those that occur other than Jan 1) as well as several religious holidays.
Eventually, the practice of Spring Cleaning evolved into a general tradition where the warmer weather inspires us to clean or maintain areas that are not part of a standard house cleaning effort.
Here is a whole house checklist of items you might want to include in your Spring Cleaning projects and everything on these lists are tasks Executive Errands® can complete or facilitate for you if you'd rather be having fun:
Kitchen
-- Have your tile & grout cleaned and repair grout if needed. Tile should be deep cleaned and sealed every 3-5 years. Blinds and shutters in the kitchen and throughout the home should be cleaned and, if needed, repaired. Check plumbing, replace refrigerator water filters, clean your dishwasher (we love Glisten)
Livingroom
-- have your upholstery, draperies and rugs cleaned. Desert sand creeps into every aspect of your home, including the fabrics which reduces their serviceable life
Bedrooms
-- flip or rotate your mattress for even wear and clean or replace pillows. Dust mites, mold, bacteria and odors can be a health hazard even when you can't see them (and usually you don't). Polyester pillows should be replaced every six months. Memory foam pillows typically last from 18-36 months
Bathrooms --
tile cleaning/sealing, check plumbing (particularly angle stops), clean aerators to remove built up dirt and debris -- if you have any dripping at all in sinks or showers, the cartridges likely need to be changed
Garages
-- Drain your hot water heater to remove sediment and keep the water as clean as possible (disregard if you have a tankless water heater). Have your garage door serviced (lubed, checked and safety eyes adjusted)
Closets
-- donate any clothes you haven't worn in more than a year and if there is clutter -- sort into piles: Keep, Sell, Donate -- then do it (or call us to help!)
Windows
-- clean your windows and screens -- repair screens as necessary
General -
- Update your first aid and earthquake kits -- especially if you live here seasonally. Both kits have products with a shelf-life so be sure to check and replace any that are expired. Batteries -- we change an amazing amount of batteries and they are like car headlamps -- if one goes, change them all. And now is the time to address those small handyman projects too!
We spend more time outside than many other areas of the Country
. Therefore we should expand Spring Cleaning to include not only the house, but also our outdoor living spaces.
--Pressure wash your decks and patios
--Check cushions for wear
--Inspect/clean outdoor light fixtures
--Check your outdoor barbecue gas line for leaks
--Clean the barbecue and outdoor refrigerator
--Have your roof inspected
--Have your pool heater inspected and serviced to optimize performance and prevent deadly CO emissions
--Don't forget to have your AC serviced and change or clean your filters sometime in April or May. Sand and dust clogs up your filters and condensate line quicker than one might think and clogged condensate lines are the number one cause of home floods.
This seems like an exhaustive list, we know, but Executive Errands® can help complete or
arrange for all your Spring Cleaning efforts. We care about your home as much as you do.
In a climate as harsh as this one, it pays to keep your home maintained.
For more information or to become a client, contact us or call 760.898.9604
