Spring is officially here. Do you know what that means? It’s time for spring cleaning. Whether you’re getting your home ready for sale or you just want to freshen it up, here are 10 tips to rejuvenate your home’s appearance.

1. Clean the nooks and crannies. Vacuum behind and under sofas, chairs, beds, dressers and other heavy furniture. Dust the baseboards, crown molding, door frames, heating vents and the walls for cobwebs.
2. Deep-clean your rugs and carpets. Either have them done professionally, or rent a carpet steamer and do them yourself. Use fans or open the windows to dry the carpets out. Air out rugs on a clothesline or railing.
3. Dry-clean or vacuum and steam-clean your curtains. Check labels for specific care instructions.
4. Launder or dry-clean the bedding in all your bedrooms. This includes mattress pads, comforters, dusters, pillows, and pillow shams.
5. Polish chandeliers and all lighting fixtures. Wipe lightbulbs with a microfiber cloth dampened with water. Use a telescoping duster to reach recessed can lights.
6. Wash windows and blinds. Rubber-edged squeegees make window clean-up fast and easy. Use a cloth to clean windowsills. Wipe down wooden blinds with a wood cleaner. Take down aluminum blinds and scrub them with soap and water outside. Use a towel to dry them thoroughly.
7. Sanitize the refrigerator. Throw out old food – check the expiration dates. Wipe down all the surfaces, inside and out, with soap and warm water. Use a toothbrush to reach corners and other hard-to-get-at places. Vacuum dust from the condenser coils to keep your frig from overheating.
8. Wipe up oven spills. If you have a self-cleaning oven, run it for at least two hours. If not, first, use a metal spatula to lift up baked-on pieces. Then spritz the inside with ammonia, leaving it on for five minutes. Sprinkle baking powder on the oven surface and add a few drops of vinegar. Let the mixture bubble for a few minutes and then wipe it up with a wet scrub sponge.
9. Control clutter. Use bins, baskets, drawer organizers or boxes to organize small items. Sort papers – throw away what you don’t need and file what you do.
10. Throw out old toiletries and medications. Replace any toothbrushes or loofahs. Trash old make-up. Check the date on medications and discard anything that has expired.

These tips should have your home sparkling and smelling fresh in no time. If it seems too much to take on all at once, then concentrate on one item each week until it’s done.

If you still feel the need to do more, you can always add a fresh coat of paint on the walls or take on a larger renovation project. Contact Grandview Lending for information on remodeling loans. We’ll work with you to find a loan that’s tailored to your specific needs.