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it. For extremely greasy stains, cover them in baby powder or cornstarch and allow them to sit overnight before vacuuming. Also, heating vents can be vacuumed as you go along. Once all of the stains have been treated, you can then shampoo carpets and upholstery. Open the windows to help the drying process and enjoy some of the fresh spring air.

Once the carpet is dry, you can repair damaged areas. If the damaged area is large and you have a left over piece, cut the damaged area with a carpet knife and a square template cut the appropriate size from cardboard. Move the fibres off to the side of the knife so that you are cutting as few of them as possible. Then, using the same template, cut a replacement piece from the extra. Carpet glue can then be used on the raw edges to prevent fraying and to secure the patch in place. For small areas, pull out the damaged threads. Then, take threads from behind the baseboard or another inconspicuous place that can then be glued in. With either method, use a smooth heavy object to weight it down until the glue sets.

Window coverings can often be machine washed and dried. Blinds, on the other hand, can be difficult to clean. To make this easier, give them a bath with some dish soap and a few drops of fabric softener. They can also be dry dusted with a rag or fabric softener sheet taped to a ruler.

Safety equipment and heating and cooling systems can also be checked. Items such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and first aid kits can be gone through to ensure that they are in good working order. As you go through, change filters and batteries and make note of anything that will require an expert (duct cleaning, electrician).

The great outdoors

The best place to start your outdoor adventure in on a ladder. It is important to check your shingles and clean out the gutters to prepare for the spring rain. Siding should also be sprayed off while checking for things that need to be fixed (soffit, fascia, siding, etc).

A mixture of water, vinegar, and ammonia will get windows squeaky clean. When washing windows, wipe them in one direction on the inside and the opposite direction on the outside. You will easily be able to identify which side of the window has the streak. A few drops of jet dry in the water instead of ammonia also works great.

Spring cleaning is also a good time to prepare for new growth by clean flower beds and fertilize your lawn. The garage can also be cleaned and organized. You can then gather up the garbage and dead

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