Waukesha County Home

APRIL 2022 HOME 3 Spring clean From Page 1 For a good spring clean, she said to start by changing the focus from the high traffic areas typically targeted in regular maintenance cleaning. "Spring cleaning means increasing the intensity of the cleaning and tools. Put away the feather duster," Steffes said. Some of the tools Steffes recommends include aprons for holding tools, a number of types of cloths and toothbrushes for small crevices. Brushes can be used for areas like around sink faucets, "tough areas you normally wouldn't do," she said. If possible, high areas like tops of showers and ceiling fans can be hand wiped clean. Ceiling fans in particular can gather a large amount of dust, Steffes said. Types of cleaning products used depend on personal preference and the items within a home, and Marth and Steffes both have their own preferred methods and product lines. Marth likes microfiber towels and mops. Now that disinfecting wipes are widely available again, Marth likes to use them for stair rails, door knobs and other high touch surfaces. Steffes employs lemon essential oil with baking soda for deodorizing and cleaning cer- tain types of surfaces. When doing your own cleaning, Marth stressed the importance of participation. "Unless you're living alone, get others involved. It helps even out the work load," he said, adding that those who help clean are more likely to put forth the effort to help main- tain that cleanliness afterward. Steffes said her company's approach is to clean every room top to bottom and left to right. Cleaning technicians work on every- thing from door hinges to light switch plates and bring all supplies needed along. "If you have everything with you, you can stay focused," she said. "It's much easier not to miss anything." Overlooked cleaning musts Chris Steffes, owner of CHRIStal Clean LLC, and Brad Marth, owner of Marth Cleaning LLC, both have businesses providing cleaning services in Waukesha County. They offered some suggestions for homeowners on spring cleaning: ■ When laundering for spring cleaning, curtains, pillows and slip covers that are designated as machine washable can be included in the laundry. ■ If help is on hand to move furniture and appli- ances, spring cleaning can be a time to vacuum behind large items. Pet hair in particular tends to gather behind them, according to Steffes. ■ Books on the shelf do collect dust and can be removed and dusted for a complete clean of the shelf. ■ Closets can also be a source of dust. Taking out reachable and removable items and wiping down shelves can help tackle the buildup. Photo submitted by Chris Steffes Small brushes, like a toothbrush or the brush in use here, can work well for cleaning crevices and woodwork corners within a home, according to Chris Steffes, owner of CHRIStal Clean LLC.

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