43 North Magazine_2017 Spring

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1 Wash Your Windows 2 Clean Sliding Door Tracks 3 Scrub-down Overlooked Surfaces 4 Deep-Clean Carpets Ready to tackle your home’s springtime projects? Our handy guide breaks them down. WelcomeSpring! Article courtesy of the BHGRE life 1. Wash Your Windows Be sure to pick a cloudy day to wash windows. “If it’s too sunny, the cleaning solution will dry too fast and you’ll have streaks,” says Donna Smallin, author of Cleaning Plain & Simple (Storey Publishing). For a window-washing solution, Smallin combines 1/2 cup of sudsy ammonia (which is a specific type of ammonia), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of dish washing liquid, and 1 gallon of water. 2. Clean Sliding Door Tracks Sliding glass door tracks probably aren’t the first spots you’d think to clean, but you’ll appreciate having done it before the outdoor entertaining season gets into full swing. Smallin suggests scrubbing the tracks with an old, dry toothbrush to loosen debris, then using your vacuum hose to remove it. Finish with a wet sponge. 3. Scrub-Down Overlooked Surfaces You may overlook these surfaces on a daily basis, but once a year, give your baseboards, door frames, and walls a good scrub-down. Wash them with a sponge and a squirt of dish washing liquid mixed in a bucket of warm water. 4. Deep-Clean Your Home’s Carpets To maintain a new carpet’s warranty, you may need to have it cleaned professionally every 12-18 months, Smallin says. Otherwise, you can do it yourself by renting a deep cleaner or buying a professional-style model designed for home use. 5. Clean Under Furniture & Appliances Grab a partner and move your sofa and chairs, roll up area rugs, then vacuum the floors. Move your kitchen appliances away from the wall as much as you can. “In some cases you can pull them out enough that a vacuum hose will reach,” Smallin says. 6. Freshen up Your Furniture Restore smooth leather with an upholstery cleaner and conditioner. Use a suede brush to perk up nubuck leather. For wood furniture, use Smallin’s recipe to make your own all-natural cleaner and polish: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 cup of vinegar or lemon juice in a plastic spray bottle; shake well and spray onto a microfiber cloth. 7. Refresh Your Window Treatments Curtains and draperies aren’t typically dirty enough to launder. Instead, go over them thoroughly with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. “To remove dust from sheer curtains, put them in the dryer on low with a fabric-softener sheet,” Smallin says 8. Dust Light Fixtures Use a microfiber or lint-free cloth to dust fixtures and bulbs you can reach. For ceiling fans, skip the ladder and use an extendable duster. To clean grimy bulbs, lightly dampen your cloth with vinegar. Caution: Be sure bulbs are cool to the touch and your hands are dry. To read more on this article visit: http://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/springcleaning-guide-to-dos-for-every-homeowner/ 9 Organize Your Home 10 Make a Wardrobe Transition 11 Safety Inspection of Home 12 Apply Exterior Paint 12 | SPRING 2017
5 Clean Under Furniture & Appliances 6 Freshen Up Furniture 7 Refresh Window Treatments 8 Dust Light Fixtures SPRING CLEANING TO-DO’S Get a fresh start on the new season by giving your home a much-needed cleaning. From reorganizing to scrubbing surfaces, our guide will walk you through what you need to do to get your home clean this spring. 13 Gutter Maintenance 14 Put Away Winter Gear 15 Revitalize Outdoor Furniture 16 Bedrooms, Bathrooms & Kitchen SPRING 2017 | 13
Page 1 and 2: EXPECT BETTER® SPRING 2017 SPRING
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS SPRING 2017 6 8 10 12 28 3
Page 5 and 6: THE LAST BEST PLACE TO BUILD IN EAG
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Page 9 and 10: Timing your entry into any real est
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Page 15 and 16: ITIES & PARADE HOMES 16 1 5 2 6 3 7
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43 North Magazine_2017 Spring

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