Spring-cleaning tips for your living rooms

Spring is traditionally the time to open the windows and clean out the cobwebs. Although it may seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be. Real Simple magazine’s Elizabeth Mayhew was invited on the "Today" show for a three-day series to talk about easy ways to break big chores down into simple steps, as detailed in the May issue. Here is the first excerpt:

DAY 1: GENERAL LIVING AREAS

General dirt
Take off your shoes when you enter the house. Eighty-seven percent of the dirt in our homes is basic tracked-in soil and dust.

Keep an assortment of comfortable house slippers by the front door to encourage family members and guests to take their shoes off. Of course, if you’re entertaining a large group of people in your home, this isn’t always possible. You have to expect a certain amount of mess in these situations — just dust and vacuum after everyone’s gone, just as you clean up dishes.

Tracked-in dirt can almost always be removed dry, so you can put off the need for professional cleaning as long as you vacuum and dust regularly.

Dusting
At Real Simple, we love microfiber cloths, the no-chemical alternative to dusting. They’re great for the environment, just throw them in the wash and re-use.

When you dust, let gravity work for you. Start up high, and work your way down, saving vacuuming for last. This is the most efficient way to clean.

'TODAY' SPRING-CLEANING SERIES Spring-cleaning tips for your living rooms Spring-cleaning tips to spruce up your kitchen Spring-cleaning tips to brighten bed and bath

The Starmop ($17, www.starfibers.com) is a good tool for cleaning dirt off the floor. Its microfiber cleaning pad attracts dirt without leaving a dusty trail. For really dirty floors, combine it with a floor cleaner, like Earth Friendly Products Floor Cleaner, or Murphy’s Oil Soap.

Upholstery
If there’s a W on the care tag, you can clean the piece yourself.  We recommend doing it once or twice a year. If there’s no W on the tag, play it safe and consult a pro, getting it professionally cleaned about once every two years.

1. Add two capfuls of Woolite to a bucket of cool water. Dip in a sponge and wring it out well, then rub a thin layer of the solution onto each cushion, starting with the dirtiest side.
2. Balance the cushions against one another or the wall to dry. Put colorfast towels or white paper towels between points where pieces touch, leaving as much surface area as possible exposed to the air.
3. Clean the body of the sofa or chair, wringing the sponge out well so you’re using as little liquid as possible. Let all pieces air-dry before reassembling to prevent mildew. 

Super Sponge – This dry-cleaning sponge is a cellulose foam-latex pad that cleans without water or any harsh chemicals. When we consulted cleaning experts for this story, this was the one product that won unanimous praise. The foam-latex attracts particles of soot, dust and pet hair from upholstery, fabric shades and lampshades. It’s like an eraser, and best of all, there’s absolutely no toxicity associated with this product. But don’t expect it to remove stains.

MORE FROM SPRING GUIDE

Spring Guide Section Front

These prints will add wow to your wardrobe Top it all with these terrific tanks and tees Eat healthy with the season's best veggies It’s time to spruce up your skin for spring! Celebrate spring with these seafood treats One-dish dinners make mealtime easy This seasonal menu says spring has sprung Timely and tasty tomato dishes for spring Get set for spring with these super looks Five key looks to welcome spring in style Spring Guide Section Front   Add Spring Guide headlines to your news reader: