Spring has sprung and it’s time to open the windows, let in the fresh air, and rid your home of germs and dust. Here are a few spring cleaning tips to make your home sparkle—and ensure your family is safe and healthy:

Be thorough!

Spring cleaning is an annual event for a reason. Your daily/weekly cleaning routine goes a long way toward keeping a tidy house and minimizing the amount of tracked in dirt, but over time, dust, grime, dead skin cells, and germs build up in a variety of places. Don’t neglect the out-of-sight areas. Here are a few spots to give a little extra attention:

• All kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• Blinds
• Light fixtures, fans, chandeliers, and high-up windowsills
• Behind/underneath appliances
• Inside of oven
• Hood above stovetop
• Inside of dishwasher
• Coffee maker
• Cabinets, knobs, door frames, baseboards, and light switches
• Garbage cans (inside and outside)
• Carpet under couches, chairs, and beds
• Bare mattresses
• Electronics (keyboards, iPads, phones, etc.)

NSF International (formerly the National Sanitation Foundation) conducted a 2011 study to identify the germiest places in the home. They found the highest germ count (from highest to lowest) in: dish sponges/rags, the kitchen sink, toothbrush holders, pet bowls, coffee reservoirs, bathroom faucet handles, pet toys, counter tops, stove knobs, and cutting boards. Don’t forget to disinfect those areas regularly.

Check for water damage.

After a winter of snow and/or rain, it’s important to check areas like window sills, crawl spaces, under-sink areas, and the area around your hot water heater for signs of water damage, mold, or other issuers. Mitigating and cleaning mold requires certain precautions, so before you just wipe away these areas, make sure you know what to look for. Call AOA Cleaning & Restoration if you need a mold assessment.

Get your ducts cleaned.

Cleaning your ducts is one of the best ways to eliminate dust, pollen, pet and human hair, and more from home. An HVAC technician or duct specialist can perform this service for you, and depending on the condition of your home, they might recommend a duct cleaning every 1-3 years. Industrial Power Clean has done a great job for us, and we would highly recommend them for your home or office.

Fight the mites in the bedroom.

Bedrooms are a haven for dust mites, because people spend so much time in them. Remove all bedding, vacuum the bare mattress and pillows with the hand tool, and cover pillows and mattresses with allergen protective barriers. Keep the humidity level low in the house, and use an air conditioner to keep temperatures down during warmer weather (mites thrive in humid, warm weather). Dust and vacuum frequently and don’t forget ceiling fans and under the bed. Wash all bedding (teddy bears and throw blankets too) every week at a high temperature.

Sanitize and disinfect.

A deep clean can eliminate some of the germs and bacteria that you cannot see but are living on a variety of surfaces. AOA Cleaning & Restoration offers residential as well as commercial cleaning services. We use powerful commercial equipment that removes bacteria and pollutants as well as antimicrobial and disinfectant products. If you’re cleaning on your own, be sure to use products that remove dirt and soil and also kill germs and bacteria.

AOA Cleaning & Restoration’s trained professionals can remove germs, bacteria, dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and more. For a little extra cleaning help this spring, call us at 201-848-8600.