It's spring again, and you know what that means — spring cleaning! Time to break out those cleaning supplies and get your home as clean and bright as possible. Whether you're selling soon or just moving into one of the beautiful Tuscaloosa homes for sale, spring is the time to get that deep clean your home deserves. Here's your guide to getting it done.

General tips

• Start at the top of the room and work your way down. Get higher-up surfaces first and finish with the floors. That way you're not dirtying surfaces you've already cleaned when the dust and dirt fall off.  
• Divide and conquer. Go room by room to make sure you get everything done. And if the job is too big to accomplish in one day, it will be easier to tell where you left off. This is also good if your family will be helping. You can assign each person to an area.
• Start with clean cleaning tools. Clean your broom, duster, or dust cloths and vacuum cleaner before you start so you're not making things worse.
• Do all the windows in every room. Make sure you get them inside and outside and the tracks and window sills too.
• Include the tasks that don't need to be done often. Certain tasks like cleaning the carpet, cleaning out the trash cans, and wiping down outdoor furniture usually only need to be done a few times a year at most.  Make sure to put them on your list to get that deep clean. Doing these infrequent tasks at spring cleaning also makes it easier to remember when you did them last.
• Know what surfaces require special care. Stone requires a special pH-neutral cleaner to prevent damage. Cleaners specifically for stainless steel help prevent build up, fingerprints, and scratches. Hardwood floor cleaners are designed to work without exposing the flooring to excessive moisture.

Kitchen

Wipe off of cabinets and appliances. Seal the countertops. Clean the fridge by taking out shelves and drawers and washing them with dish soap and water. Wipe down the inside and the door seals too. Run a cleaning cycle on the dishwasher. Clean the microwave by boiling some water (you can add a little lemon juice or vinegar if you want), the steam makes the cooked on food slide right off.

Living room

Dust ceiling fans, shelves, picture frames and light fixtures. Wipe down walls. Use canned air or the dusting attachment on the vacuum to get dust out of the air vents on electronics. Wash or dry clean curtains and drapes. Clean the carpet or area rugs and floor.

Bedrooms

Dust ceiling fans, tops of windows, wall-mounted pictures and light fixtures. Wipe down walls. Wash the pillows and comforters. Vacuum the mattress, then remove spots if necessary and spray with disinfectant to freshen. Clean the carpet or rugs and floor.

Bathroom

Since the bathroom needs to be kept pretty clean anyway, deep cleaning here may be minimal. It's a good time to seal any grout or tile. Tackle any mold or mildew and clean the exhaust fan. Clean shelves, windows, baseboards and floors, making sure to get behind the toilet too.

Spring cleaning can be a big job, but also a satisfying one. And once you're done ,you can show your home off to your friends and family or potential buyers and be proud of a job well done.

Whether you're looking to sell your home or purchase your next one in the Tuscaloosa area, our real estate agents can help. Contact us today to get started!