Original Article Source Credits:   Bob Vila , https://www.bobvila.com/

Spring Cleaning Mishaps
1/13

12 Spring Cleaning Mistakes
Are you ready to shake the cold-weather blues and spruce up your home for the warmer months ahead? Before you overhaul your living space with cleaning projects galore, remember that spring cleaning isn’t as simple as it seems. With today’s powerful cleaning products, and high-tech appliances, there’s a lot of room for error. One simple mistake could damage your home, costing you a world of effort and a stack of cash. Keep these tips in mind before you clean and you’ll dodge disaster and be left with a no-mess, no-stress home.

Time to Shine
2/13

Cleaning Hardwood Floors
After surviving winter’s dry indoor air, your wood floors might be in need of some rehab. Before you reach for any old product to clean or restore your floor, make sure you’re using one that works for your material and finish. While wax may work great on a floor that’s already wax-coated, it can diminish the shine or smoothness of laminate, varnished, or polyurethane-finished wood. Always consult a product’s instructions and be sure it matches your floor type before using it.

Super Sudsy
3/13

using too much detergent
As springtime rolls around, it’s natural to feel the urge to go on a laundry spree, but an overzealous approach can do more harm than good. Using too much laundry detergent is actually worse than not using enough; a heavy-handed dose of soap can make clothes stiff and dingy. All that extra soap can also attract bacteria, leaving linens with an unpleasant odor. Instead, use the amount that the detergent label specifies (or even less, since modern washers are more efficient than many of their predecessors).

Shrinking Slipcovers
4/13

Cleaning Slipcovers
Slipcovers can be a fantastic, low-maintenance option to keep couches and chairs looking fresh and up-to-date, but washing them on the wrong laundry setting can ruin them altogether, causing you to invest in a replacement set. Never wash slipcovers in warm or hot water unless their tags specifically instruct you to do so; instead, opt for cold water to keep them from shrinking.

High and Dry
5/13

Use Water-Resistant Tubs
If you’re looking for a way to store all those books you read this winter, steer clear of cardboard boxes. In the event of a flood, leak or condensation issue, your books will quickly warp, smell, and mold if kept in containers that are essentially made of paper themselves. Instead, opt for water-resistant storage bins to keep your reading collection safe. Follow the same rules for putting away your winter clothes.

Crystal Clear
6/13

Wash Windows with Microfiber Cloth
Few things are more frustrating than spending your time and energy trying to make your windows gleam, only to stand back and see streaks. Avoid this common problem by using a lint-free microfiber cloth and either a store-bought, streak-free cleaning solution or one part white vinegar mixed with one part water. For truly grimy windows, try straight vinegar.

Perfect Plexiglass
7/13

Cleaning Plexiglass
While plexiglass is a wonderful and safe alternative to glass—particularly when used in windows and bathroom enclosures—its durability runs parallel to its sensitivity. Never clean plexiglass with a dry cloth; rather, use a moist cloth (and a light touch) to prevent minor scratches.

Breathing Room
8/13

Let Wet-Vac Carpets Dry
Having your carpets professionally cleaned—or renting a high-powered wet vac and doing it yourself—is a key part of keeping a clean home. But if you don’t allow the carpet enough time to dry before putting furnishings back into place, you run the risk of developing a mold (and odor) problem of epic proportions. Allow enough breathing room for carpets to dry completely before replacing a room’s contents. The proper dry time could be a few hours or a day, depending on the air flow in the room and the thickness of the carpet pile.

Top to Bottom

9/13
Clean from Top to Bottom
When most people start their spring cleaning regimen, things like floors, windows, and ceilings take precedence over everything else. But if these spots aren’t cleaned in the right order, your cleaning routine can allow copious amounts of dust and other allergens to accumulate. For a deeper clean, start by dusting the light fixtures and corners of the ceiling, then do the windowsills and trim, and finally the baseboards and the floors. In the end, you’ve tackled a lot of dirt with very little effort.

Bug Off
10/13

Springtime Pruning
Springtime doesn’t just yield blooms; it also brings bugs and infections, some of which could damage your trees. If you prune your trees and shrubs in advance of the growing season, consider coating the freshly-cut edges of vulnerable trees like birch, elm, and oak in pruning wax to seal the wounds, preventing bugs, bacteria, and fungi from destroying them later on.