Spring Clean (Enough)- Shortcuts for Spring Cleaning

Spring is upon us, and with it comes spring cleaning! We all have the best intentions when it comes to wanting to give our homes the thorough yearly cleaning they deserve, but we also have tremendously busy lives and it can be hard to find the time to do a serious deep-cleaning. Here are a few spring cleaning shortcuts that will give you the results you want in a fraction of the time!

Clean (some of) your carpets- Focus on the high-traffic areas of your carpet- living room, main hallways, family room- for the deep-cleaning rug shampoo every spring, and just do the whole house once every couple of years. Not only will you save money but it will cut down on drying time.

Steam clean your curtains- Washing curtains in a machine, or getting them dry cleaned, can be a major time-suck. Not only do you have to take the curtains down, but then you have to wash and dry and re-hang them- the work of at least several hours! With a little wrinkle-releasing, odor-eliminating spray (try CleanFast) and a hand-held fabric steamer, you can steam your way to fresh curtains without having to deal with taking them off the rods.

Bust out the Dustbuster- Using a handheld vacuum to clean your upholstery can be almost as effective as getting it professionally shampooed, with less cost and inconvenience. Use your hand vac to get all the errant crumbs, pet hair and life debris out of the cushions and frame of your upholstered furniture pieces, then use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the fabric. Use a spot-cleaning stain remover, such as Shout, for any problem stains (make sure to test it on the fabric first).

Don’t stress over windows- While it is an admirable goal to get every window in your house squeaky-clean inside and out, it can also be a back-breaking chore that goes unappreciated. After all, how often do you really look at the windows at the back of your house? Focus on the big windows in front of the house that face the street and give those a good cleaning. Try to clean your windows on a day that is wind-free to avoid being splashed by cold water.

Clean as you go- Obviously, the best way to avoid lengthy spring-cleaning projects is to keep your home clean all year long. You can accomplish this by taking a few extra minutes each day to give specific areas of your home a once-over. Putting laundry away? Take 5 minutes to tidy the closet shelves. Taking winter coats to the dry cleaners? See if there’s anything in your hall closet that can be donated or thrown out. Wiping up a spill in the fridge? Take a moment to wipe all the shelves while you’re at it (and go ahead and toss those mystery containers in the way-back while you’re at it.) Taking a few moments to tidy, putting things back in the place where they go- these are all things that can be done quickly during each day, which can save you hours in the long run.

All About Window Film

One of the things we love about our house is its number of windows. Not only do they provide ample natural light and give the whole house an open, airy feeling, the windows themselves come in a variety of unique sizes and shapes, creating a lot of visual interest. Some of the windows, however, are in spots where we don’t necessarily want our neighbors to be able to look in (like the master bathroom, for example), yet treatment options for odd-sized windows are limited. When we first heard about window film, we were thrilled. Window film was the solution for us- read on to find out if it is right for your home.

What is window film? Do you remember those Colorforms you played with as a kid- those transparent film objects that used static to cling to windows and plastic surfaces? That’s the basic principle behind window film, on a much larger scale. Window film is a self-adhesive polyester film that is applied to windows and other glass surfaces. In addition to being used for decorative and privacy purposes, some window film can deflect UV rays, acting as a sunscreen on your window to prevent fading of upholstery fabrics inside the house.

What does it look like? These days, window film comes in a variety of patterns and designs. From rice paper to frosted glass, to a stained glass pattern, you can do just about anything with window film. Make it as translucent or as opaque as you wish- it’s up to you!

How do I apply it? Window film can be tricky to apply, what with all the air bubbles that can be trapped beneath it. (Think of it as a giant screen protector for your phone.) In order to properly apply window film, you must first measure the film paper against the window to be covered, using an Exacto knife to cut it to the precise size and shape. Once your shape has been cut, peel off the backing paper from the corner, leaving most of the rest of the film covered and slowly, using a squeegee to push out air bubbles, smooth it across your window. Some professional installers recommend the use of a spray bottle of water to ensure the maximum cling.

What if I hate it? Window film is easy to remove- just peel it off! The film won’t damage your windows. All you will need to do is go over any streaks left behind with a glass cleaner and the window will be as good as new.

Where do I find it? Window film is available at any hardware store, and can even be purchased online. If you prefer to let a professional handle the application of the film, most companies that sell blinds or other window treatments can help you.