Scrub, wipe and polish. It must be spring and time to sweep away the grime of winter. & Don't forget to recycle

It's been a long, long winter, but spring is making slushy inroads, which means it's time for the annual ritual of spring cleaning. This is when we wipe away winter's grime and hopefully go even further and recycle unwanted items, gathering dust in neglected corners of the basement or in the back of deep cabinets in the kitchen.

Here are spring cleaning activities guaranteed to add a fresh factor to your home:

Windows:

Cleaning windows will dramatically increase the amount of light filtering into your home. Wash your windows on a cloudy day to prevent the cleaning solution from drying too quickly. Remove window coverings, dust window edges and sills and wipe the glass with a damp cloth to get rid of the worst dirt. Wash the windows with a solution of two to three tablespoons of vinegar per gallon of water. To dry windows, use a squeegee or a copy of your favourite newspaper for a streak-free clean. Don't forget to wear rubber gloves.

Window coverings:

Drapes, sheers and blinds all benefit from regular cleaning. To dust drapes, cellular shades and sheers, either use the brush attachment of your vacuum or place a pair of old pantyhose over the end of the hose. For deeper cleaning, drapes may have to be sent to the dry cleaner. For blinds with slats, vacuuming or using a Swiffer duster quickly removes surface dust. Plastic and aluminum blinds can be cleaned by spraying an all-purpose cleaner on a clean cloth and wiping each slat. Wood blinds should be cleaned with a wood surface cleaner. Use water sparingly, as you do not want to damage the wood.

Ceiling fans and light fixtures:

To clean ceiling fans, dust the fan and fan blades with a slightly damp clean cloth. Remove glass lights, wash and dry before replacing. Dust ceiling fixture and light bulbs with a damp clean cloth and vacuum fabric shades. Gentle cleansers, including Murphy's Oil Soap, will help remove stubborn dirt.

Upholstery:

Upholstered pieces, including couches, chairs and dining room chairs accumulate stains from constant use. Clean upholstered pieces by first vacuuming in crevices and under seat cushions. Clean slipcovers and accent pillows as specified by the manufacturer. For more stubborn stains, use the upholstery attachment on a rug shampoo machine. Upholstery spot cleaners can be used, but be cautious and test a hidden area first. A coating of fabric protector will protect your upholstery from future spills and stains and keep your furniture looking fresh and clean.

Electronics:

Unplug and remove all electronics from the entertainment unit. Dust the equipment and the shelves underneath. If your entertainment unit is made out of wood, use a little furniture polish to make your unit shine and repel dust.

Walls, ceilings and corners:

Dust along the baseboards and cold air returns. Remove the cobwebs along the ceiling and in the room corners with a dust cloth. Wash dirty spots along the walls, doors and light switches with a wet clean cloth. Products, including Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, are great for these kinds of jobs, but also look for eco alternatives.

Bedding:

When you are putting winter bedding away, take the opportunity to clean the duvet covers, shams and decorative pillows. Clean under your bed and flip over the mattress.

Pictures and wall art:

Spray glass cleaner on a clean cloth and wipe glass and mirrors. For frames, simply use a damp cloth.

De-cluttering:

A big part of spring cleaning is ridding the home of items that are no longer useful. De-cluttering your home will make day-to-day cleanups easier and reduce the amount of time spent looking for items. Some organizational gurus, including Peter Walsh, professional organizer on TLC's Clean Sweep, believe that de-cluttering will also help you reassess your life and make changes in the areas of careers, personal relationships and health. When de-cluttering your home, try to reuse and recycle as much as possible. Check the City of Ottawa website (http://www.ottawa.ca/) for local Take it Back retailers who will either recycle or reuse many household, garden, automotive, health or electronic items. Read on for some tips for recycling common household items.

Batteries and cellphones:

Spent alkaline batteries can be returned to recyclers, including Foxy Recycle. Rechargeable batteries and old cellphones can be returned to selected Canadian Tire, The Source by Circuit City, Home Hardware or Telus stores. According to RBRC, a non-profit organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries and old cellphones, by recycling batteries, the amount of heavy metals that leach into the environment is reduced.

Computer and Electronic Waste:

In 2003, Environment Canada's Envirozine reported that more than 140,000 tonnes of computer equipment, phones, televisions, stereos and small home appliances are sent to Canadian landfills each year.

That is the equivalent of 28,000 adult African elephants.

Most of this equipment contains toxic lead, cadmium and mercury that pollute the water and ground when disposed of in landfills. Many people try to dispose of this equipment by donating it to local charities. However, not all charities are able to refurbish and reuse the equipment. To ensure that your donated electronic waste does not just end up in a landfill, have it properly disposed of by companies such as the Computer Recyclers (www.ottawarecyclersottawa.com) or Twenty-Twelve Electronics Recycling (www.tter.ca). They will dismantle non-reusable equipment and ensure that as much of it is recycled into new products as possible. They will accept items, including computers and all associated peripherals, CDs and floppy disks, audio and VHS tapes, and electronic equipment. Call or go to these recyclers websites for a complete listing of recyclable items.

Sell or donate:

For items that are in good shape, consider donating or selling them. The Salvation Army, Goodwill and the Canadian Diabetes Association are some of the organizations that will accept used clothing, toys, books, furniture and other household items in good condition. Some will even come to your door to pick up your items. Some residents simply put items that they no longer require on the curb on non-garbage days. This allows other local residents to make use of the items. If you want to sell items, consider organizing a garage sale, putting an ad in the newspaper or using websites such as usedottawa.com. Selling your items will ensure that your items are going to someone who can actually use it.

Books, tapes, DVs and CDs:

With the advent of electronic media, especially mp3s, many people no longer use CDs and VHS tapes. Consider donating your communication media, such as books, VHS tapes, DVDs or CDs to the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library System Association. Donated items are either added to the permanent collection or sold. Proceeds from the sale of donated items are used for new acquisitions. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of any Ottawa Public Library.

As with any activity, it is best to spread the work over several weeks to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Undertake only one job at a time. In some cases hire your kids or a professional to help you with the jobs. Better yet, tackle some of the projects as a family. Be sure to reward yourself for a job well done.

With proper planning and the right attitude, your spring cleaning will be done and you will have a fresh and clean home for the summer.

Source Ottawa Citizen