Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

[Green_Biscuit]

So, most of us are probably in the throws of some attempt at Spring Cleaning, be it top to bottom, or just trying to get to a few things we seldom do....in that spirit, let's have a thread of unusual activities and places to spring clean.....

First an easy one...when was the last time that you took your fridge out, cleaned under it, and vacuumed the coils? Not only does it make you feel better (you won't believe what is under there) but it will make your fridge work better and more efficiently.

[Green_Biscuit]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Okay, now for something a little more, well, gross......Look inside your washing machine....see where the top of the tub is....see that grime there, and where is meets the body? I know a casual wipe doesn't get rid of it....get something like a credit card and scrape it....then whipe with disinfectant....eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww. That is likely dead skin cells and dirt matted....yuuch! I did this yesterday and nearly.....well, you know....and you thought your clothes were getting cleaned in there!

[loops]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

damn....i thought you were going to cheer me up? this is only gonna work if you're coming to my place to do this stuff.

[BND1999]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Not to worry loops.. you got a new fridge.. you are atleast off the hook on that one...

ive gone down there.. yuk.. gross.. hmmm who else can i get to do it..... got just the person.....

have tried cleaning in the washer.. the buildup is mostly soap in mine.. just do the best i can and not worry.....

its my closets that im dumping and cleaning for a week.. man it feels great to throw things away and to pare down... we sure have way more than we ever need..... where did it all come from? did i bring this all home?

[Nanook]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

This is when I get my closets cleaned out, for carrying anything to the garage to store just dosen't happen in winter. Or, if I have a whole lot of stuff to throw out, I just park my truck out the window and toss the things in the back, then haul it away...

This is when I also clean & organize my cupboards, put down new paper and such.

Ewww, on the washing machine, I guess I could go do that next, although I do it pretty often.

As long as I'm in that area I'll take the cover off of the bottom of the dryer and vacum up the lint that falls below the screen. It will be a good day to replace my furnace filter too!

I SUPPOSE....as long as I have the vacum out for the dryer I'll pull the fridge out and vacum it too! Ok I better go get busy now!

Later....

[loops]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Remind me to stay out of this thread......

[yardspice]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

I never cleaned windows before and now I have to do it. Any suggestions?

[kia027]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Originally posted by Ms Spicey:
[qb] I never cleaned windows before and now I have to do it. Any suggestions? [/qb]

vinegar and newspaper does the best job.

GB I am doing a room at a time. I never realised how much ish accumulates (in terms of things) over a year. Will apply a modified feng shui rule.. If not used in the last 18 months.. out it goes (probably to freecycle if decent or the tag sale bin)

[yardspice]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Thanks Sis.... I am lazy so this is going to be a big project

[Nanook]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Ahhh, loops, what fun are you? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

Moving the fridge is gonna have to wait.

I was surprised at how little was under the dryer lint catcher! It's a gas dryer so I was worried. I didn't have anything at the top of the washer, I guess I keep after it better than I thought.

Here's one that hasn't been mentioned...
It prolongs the life of your hot water to drain it once a year. This helps remove any sediment you may have in your water that will accumulate in the water heater near the elements. I have a well, so I have sediment.

I have an electric hot water heater, this is how I do it:

First shut the power source at the breaker. close the filler valve at the top of the water heater, and just attach a hose to the bottom and open that valve and let drain. Once if finishes draining, close the bottom valve and disconnect the hose. Open the top valve and it will begin filling, then you can turn the breaker back on.

I get sediment in the washer hose screens too. Just disconnect the hoses, remove the screens and clean or replace them. I do one at a time so I don't get the hoses crossed.

I've been out working on my deck a few times when it was nice out. Dirt and grime gets trapped in between the floor boards so rainwater dosen't drain off as easily, this can lead to a short life for your deck. Now when it warms up all I have to do it go out and finish cleaning the surface and apply a coat or so of the deck protector. Whew, so much to do!

[Green_Biscuit]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Good for you IM - jumping right on that stuff! Nina, doesn't it feel great to purge?

I hate to tell you folks, but I wipe down my washer all the time....this was stuff that was "in the cracks" so to speak.....

Now, how about under the stove???? be careful if you have gas....make sure you have a "flex" line on it....

As for the deck, that will have to wait.....we are buying a power washer with the other members of my famly, so we can get a really good one, and split the cost....but man, does it need it...and it has never been sealed.....at least it is mahogany decking.....but now I am considering tearing the railing off and reconfiguring, but that is a thread for a different day....

As everyone is cleaning out, don't forget to join freecycle.org.....best thing since sliced bread!

[Nanook]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Today I'm going after the light fixtures...

The worst one will be dismantling the chandelier, but I can see it needs it.

I'm almost finished with the bathroom, where do all of these products come from? I swear I have a lifetime supply of some things!!!

[Schmonica]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Another thing that I haven't seen posted yet. Did you know that your dryer sheets cause a film to build up on your lint filter, I just recently learned this myself. Anyway, I was told that you're supposed to take your lint filter out about every six months and clean it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush, it will keep your dryer working longer and will also help in reducing your electric bill. The film is hard to see, but it is there.

[Green_Biscuit]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

Okay, I have a confession to make....my husband told me recently that I could get someone to give us a price on taking care of the house. If the price was good, he thought it would help me out because he travels so much, I have two little ones, and a lot of familial obligations. So, I called a lady that my Mom used to have.....she has a girl working for her that is UNREAL! You could not find a speck of anything when she is done....well, bosslady came last night and gave me a price. My girl will come every two weeks! And the best part is, they started today! There are two of them, and they started at the top, and are making there way down. They have been here three hours already and I think they might be half done with the second floor!!!!!!!!! Yeahhhh! Now I really can concentrate on closets, drawers and other extra-curricular projects!

[Nanook]

Re: Spring Cleaning/You have dirt in places you didn't know you had places

That's GREAT GB!!!!!

You deserve the help! I have a friend who had help every other week for a while and it made a huge difference.