5 Spring-cleaning shortcuts

From removing dust to banishing bathroom grime, we’ve got five solutions for cleaning your home for spring and keeping it that way all year long.

1. Remove dust now.
Household dust is made up of tracked-in dirt, sloughed-off skin cells, pet dander and dust mite excrement and corpses. For a thorough dusting, work your way from top to bottom so you don’t have to go over surfaces more than once.

Help keep dust at bay. Keep wipes in a decorative basket by the staircase so you can grab a wipe to run along the banister on your way up or down the stairs. Put another pack in the living room so you can stay on top of dust while watching your favorite shows.

2. Master microwave messes now.
Boil a cup of water in the microwave. The steam will help loosen dried-on food particles so you can easily wipe them away using a paper towel.

Keep it mess-free later. Use a microwave food cover to keep your microwave clean and free from food splatters.

3. Tackle laundry now.
Spring-cleaning brings loads of extra laundry. As tempting as it may be to try to get the job done quicker, don’t overload the washer or dryer. Clothes need to move freely in the machine to come out clean and wrinkle-free.

Lighten the load later. Enlist the help of family members by divvying up laundry chores like loading, folding and ironing.

4. Clean window treatments now.
Window treatments are often overlooked when cleaning, but dirt and dust can build up over time. Give them a thorough cleaning using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner or wash according to the label directions.

Keep them clean later.
To avoid dirt and dust buildup, open and close your window treatments often and gently

shake them. Give dust a few minutes to fall to the floor so you can easily wipe it up with a dust mop or towel.

5. Banish bathroom grime now.
Wash your shower curtain according to its label and replace the shower curtain liner, which can harbor mold and grime.