Spring Cleaning Service NYC

Spring Cleaning the Bedroom and Living Room

They are our most public and most private rooms - the places where we entertain friends and family, watch our favorite television programs or just relax after a long, difficult day.
That's why it's so important to keep these rooms looking good. After all, who wants to snuggle up in a favorite chair with a good book only to find it covered with pet hair or dust?
Decide which room you want to start with, then stay in there until it's finished. Going from room to room just wastes time, and neither room ever gets done properly.
Remember to use your cleaning wagon. Store all the items you'll need in it, such as dust rags, furniture polish, window cleaner, etc. That way you won't have to run back and forth from room to room every time you need something.Start by clearing away all the clutter on the floor. Drag a laundry basket or box around with you and throw loose items into it.
Remember Mom's old rule: Start high and work your way down. An easy way to clean a ceiling fan is to cover your hands with a pair of old socks and dip them in warm, soapy water. Run your hands over and under each blade. (Make sure the fan is off) Use fresh, clean water as needed.

Down Comforters & Pillows

First, check the manufacturer's label. If it warns against laundering, have the items professionally dry cleaned.
Then check to see that there are no rips or tears in the fabric or that the hems are not coming apart.
Hand wash in the bathtub using lukewarm water and a gentle detergent, or use the washing machine on the gentle cycle. If you are using the machine, agitate the water and detergent first, then stop the machine and put in the item. Run the rinse cycle twice or until the water is clear.Use the dryer on low heat even though it may take a few hours.

Knickknacks & Figurines

It's a lot easier to gather all your knickknacks together at one time and wash them, rather than dust each one individually. Line the sink with a thick towel, fill with warm water and add a few drops ofliquid detergent. Let them soak as you continue cleaning the rest of the room.
Once all your knickknacks have soaked, gently scrub them with your fingers or a small, soft brush to remove any excess dust. Rinse thoroughly and let them air dry.

Pictures & Picture Frames

Use a soft paintbrush to clean your paintings - rags leave behind small threads that can damage the paint.
A soft toothbrush is a great way to clean ornately carved frames. Don't use water or detergent because they may damage both the artwork and the frame.
Make a tarnished frame shine by rubbing it with turpentine.
Or mix an egg white with a teaspoon of baking soda and sponge onto the frame. Gently wipe off with a clean rag.

Drapes & Blinds

Drapes and curtains can harbor bacteria - as well as dust - so clean them on a regular basis. It's best to wash them in cold water with a mild detergent, but be sure to check the manufacturer's guide.
If the drapes aren't dirty, just a little dusty, go ahead and vacuum them, using the proper attachment and a gentle suction.
You can also toss drapes into the dryer on a low setting to remove dust and wrinkles.
Blinds don't have to be a nightmare to clean. Put on a pair of cotton gloves, soak your hands in soapy water, and use your finger and thumb to clean the top and bottom of each side of the blind. Or remove blinds from the wall, and soak them in a bathtub filled with soapy water. Rub with a clean cloth, then drain tub. Run clean water to rinse, and hang blinds over the tub to dry.

Lamps

Dust your lamps inside and out, including the bulbs. If they're very dirty, you may want to wipe them with a damp cloth. Make sure the bulb is cold before removing it. Dry it completely before returning to the fixture. You'll be amazed at how much more light it'll give off.
Clean plastic shades with a soft cloth dipped in warm water, then squeezed out. Sturdy shades can be vacuumed with the proper attachment.
Use a blow-dryer to dust pleated lampshades.

Screens

Use a roller-type lint brush to pickup dust.
Prevent damaging rust from forming on metal screens by brushing each side of the screen with kerosene.

Walls

Prepare your walls for washing by dusting or vacuuming them.If needed, spot clean heavily soiled areas such as fingerprints, crayon or scuff marks.
Erase fingerprints and smudge marks with artgum, available from an art supply store.
To remove stubborn crayon drawings, rub gently with a soap-filled steel wool pad.
Remove grease by blotting the stain with cornstarch and paper towels. Rub off when it has soaked up the grease.
When washing walls, start at the bottom and work your way up. Use an all-purpose cleanser: one cup ammonia, one-half cup vinegar, and one-quarter cup baking soda mixed with a gallon of water.
To keep track of where you began, start in one corner. Don't work in an area larger than two or three feet. Change both your soapy water and rinse water often.
If you don't have a ladder, use a sponge mop for those hard-to-reach areas. This can get messy, so cover the floor with a drop cloth where you're working.

Wallpaper

It's best to spot clean wallpaper. Make a paste of cornstarch and water. Apply to the spot, let dry and brush off. Repeat if necessary.
Grease marks will disappear if you apply baby powder to the spot with a clean cloth. Rub in until stain is gone.
Read the manufacturer's directions before you wash wallpaper. There are many kinds on the market, and some shouldn't be washed./
If you don't have the directions,test wash in an inconspicuous place,
such as under the light fIxture.
Use a mild detergent and warm water (not hot). Work on a small area, using very little water. Rinse, then gently blot dry.

Furniture

Upholstered
Start treating a stain immediately. Test an inconspicuous spot first.
Pet hair comes up easily with a roller lint brush. If you don't have one, use a pair of rubber gloves. The hair will form a ball with each stroke.
Keep your upholstered furniture from fading by turning the cushions over periodically.
Wash your furniture once a year to keep it free of dirt. Vacuum first, then pound the dust out of the pillows. Wash with a mild detergent and allow to dry thoroughly.
Wooden
Dust wooden furniture quickly by covering your hand with a sock dampened with furniture polish. Thoroughly wipe the entire area.
Polish buildup is easy to remove. Mix one-half cup white vinegar and one-half cup water. Dampen a cloth and gently scrub. You can make your own all-natural furniture polish. Mix together one-half cup boiled linseed oil, one-half cup turpentine and one-half cup vinegar. Shake well and apply. Buff with a clean cloth.
Here's another great polish: one teaspoon lemon oil mixed with two cups of mineral oil.Or use three parts olive oil andone part lemon juice.
Water rings can be removed with petroleum jelly, rubbed thoroughly into the spot.
Or rub white, non-gel toothpaste into the water ring. Buff, then use a furniture polish.To get rid of hot-dish marks on wood, boil linseed oil and add half a cup of turpentine. Apply to stain until it fades. You may have to repeat more than once.
If bits of paper are stuck to your wood, dab on a few drops of cooking oil and let it sit a few minutes. Gently scrape away with a soft paper towel or your fingers.
Cover scratches with the meat of a walnut or pecan. If that doesn't work, or the wood is too light, try a crayon or shoe polish.
Leather
Clean your leather with a damp cloth and saddle soap.To prevent rips and tears, rub with petroleum jelly or olive oil.
Or mix one part vinegar and two parts linseed oil and rub into the leather.
To remove ink spots, dampen a cotton ball or a cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol or hair spray and gently dab on the spot. Remember to try an inconspicuous place first to make sure the color doesn't fade.

Glass Table Tops

Use newspaper to clean since it leaves no lint behind.Spray on lemon juice and buff to a sparkly shine.Or use a spray made of equal parts vinegar and water.
Cover up small scratches with white toothpaste

Wicker

Clean wicker and keep it from becoming brittle by washing it once a
month with warm, sudsy water. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and make sure
you dry the wicker completely to prevent buckling.Rub mildew spots with ammonia and let it dry in the sun.
Wash with a salt-water solution and wicker won't turn yellow.
For more information or cleaning tips visit our web site at www.springcleaning.us or if you reside in the New York City,NYC area call Spring Cleaning Service at 212-962-6730.
We are confident that you'll find Spring Cleaning Service to be the best resource for all your spring house,apartment cleaning needs in New York City,NYC.