It's Time To Do Some Spring Cleaning
If you are staying home and are well, why not be productive and do your spring cleaning
now!
Nashville, Ark. – With the concern over Covid-19 throughout the media, most people are taking extra precautions to protect themselves. Washing your hands more often, sanitizing surfaces and staying at home are ways you can protect yourself. If you are staying home and are well, why not be productive and do your spring cleaning now!
Is your home as clean as you want it to be? If not, you are not alone. Seventy-eight percent of Americans say there are areas in their home that need to be cleaned. Seventy-eight percent of people say they believe in and practice spring cleaning each year. Even though we have not seen it much lately, sunshine makes us want to have everything nice and clean.
While most people do clean their house on a regular basis, there are some areas that will need special attention. According to American Cleaning Institute, windows, floors, toilets and shelves tend to be the dirtiest spots in our homes. Here are some tips to help you clean these problem areas.
Use a toilet bowl cleaner to tackle any hard water buildup in the bowl. Wipe the outside of the toilet and toilet seat with a disinfectant cleaner. Be sure to read the direction label on the product. Most suggest using the product at full strength, letting it sit for at least 10 minutes and then wiping down. Be sure to wear protective gloves when using cleaning products. They may be abrasive to skin. Make sure to wipe down hinges, bumpers and the handle. Use disinfectant wipe between cleaning for quick sanitizing.
Bookshelves and shelving are great places for dust. Start at the highest shelf and work your way down. Wipe down anything you have on the shelves and then wipe down the shelves. When dusting, spray the polish onto the dusting cloth instead of the item.
What about windows? Begin by using a broom or cloth to remove dust, soot, cobwebs and dead insects from the frames and sills. When cleaning the glass, spray glass cleaner onto a separate cloth-instead of the glass itself to prevent the cleaner causing water spots or discoloring the trim.
Cleaning floors can be a huge problem area. Save them for last so you can sweep, vacuum or mop up all the dust and dirt. Don’t forget to check the floor vents and get behind and under the furniture. This is a great time to get all those cobwebs from the corners and wipe down baseboards.
Before you begin your cleaning projects, take inventory of your supplies and gather them together in one place. Once you have your mind set to cleaning you will need to have all your supplies together and in one place.
Now that your home is nice and clean, you will want to keep it that way. Here are some tips for preventing dirt, dust and germs from entering your home.
- Keep clutter to a minimum. Make it a priority to pick up every day. Having lots of extra stuff around makes it difficult to clean and provides a place for dirt and germs.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Germs are everywhere. Proper hand washing is the key to staying well and preventing illness from spreading.
- Wipe your shoes on entryway rugs or mats to prevent dirt from entering the house. This also helps prevent pollen and other allergens from entering the home.
- Keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces as dry and clean as possible to help control the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
- Leave shower doors and curtains open after use so shower walls can air-dry. Wipe down shower walls and doors with a squeegee after each use.
- Clean up dishes and crumbs that may have gotten on the floor after each meal. Do this as soon as the meal is over to make cleanup easier.
- Wipe up spills when they happen before they have a chance to dry.
- Use coasters under beverage glasses to prevent water spots and rings on wood surfaces.
Nothing makes you feel better than a clean, fresh smelling home. Make a plan. Make it a family affair by involving the whole family in the cleaning process. Involve the family in prevention methods so your home is basically ready for any last minute guests who may drop in.
Information for this article was adapted from the American Cleaning Institute webpage. You can check them out at cleanandhappynest.org for lots of information on cleaning almost anything. For more information on other consumer issues, contact the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517 or visit our office located on the second floor of the courthouse.
Recipe of the Week
After spring cleaning, who wants to spend a lot of time preparing a meal? This recipe can be prepared in about 30 minutes and the whole family will love it!
Easy Lasagna
½ pound lean ground beef
8 ounces egg noodles, uncooked
12 ounces fat free cottage cheese
2 cups reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
Non-stick cooking spray
1 (14.5 ounce) can unsalted diced tomatoes, not drained
1 cup water
½ teaspoon parsley
½ teaspoon oregano
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Brown ground beef. Drain and return to skillet. Stir in diced tomatoes, water, parsley, oregano, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Add uncooked pasta. Cover and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
Stir in cottage cheese. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes to melt cheese.
Nutrition information per serving: Yield-6 servings, 370 calories, 11g fat, 32g protein, 35g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 530mg sodium. Good source of vitamin A. Excellent source of vitamin C, iron and calcium
By Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
jince@uada.edu
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