(StatePoint) While spring cleaning is not the most dreaded seasonal task among Americans — in an American Cleaning Institute survey, 80% of respondents said they would rather spring clean than fill out their tax forms — there’s no reason to make it harder than it needs to be.
Rust-Oleum, a maker of a wide array of cleaning products, offers these tips and insights for beefing up your cleaning caddy and tackling your spring cleaning checklist with ease:
Tackling the Toughest Stains
Busy homes prone to tough messes need a concentrated formula that offers a reliable and effective way to remove anything from pet-related stains to crayon marks on the wall, lipstick on clothing, and grease in the kitchen and garage. That’s where a solution like Krud Kutter Original comes into play. The “duct tape of cleaning,” make it your go-to solution for both hard surfaces like walls, kitchen cabinets and garage floors, and soft surfaces like carpet and fabric. The beauty of a concentrated formula is that you can use it at full strength for removing paints, grease and oil, or dilute it for lighter cleaning tasks. In any case, apply your formula directly on the surface to be cleaned, allow to sit briefly, then wipe off with a clean cloth or towel. For tougher jobs, apply liberally and allow to stand for a few minutes before scrubbing with a brush or scouring pad, then wiping with a wet rag.
Making Mindful Daily Choices
If conscious consumption is important to you, look for products that meet U.S. EPA Safer Choice product standards and are USDA biobased-certified, such as Mean Green Refillable Ultra Powered Concentrate. This cleaning formula lasts up to four times longer than a regular bottle of cleaner, helping reduce plastic waste. But these benefits don’t mean you have to compromise on effectiveness or efficiency. The unique design of the bottle’s water chamber lets you prepare your cleaning solution at the sink. This makes it even easier for this concentrated formula to work effectively on everything from smudges and smears on glass to grease and grime in the kitchen to soap scum in the shower.
Prepping Your Home Exterior
After a long winter of extreme weather exposure, your home’s outdoor spaces may need special attention to maintain that curb appeal. Thankfully there are strategies for removing tough stains caused by mildew, mold, algae, fungus and moss, and restoring the original look to wood, vinyl, brick and stone. With either a tank sprayer or the product’s hose-end sprayer, apply Moldex Instant Outdoor Cleaner onto the area to be treated. After allowing the product to work for 5-10 minutes, rinse it off. Available in both bleach and non-bleach formats, the bleach formula is especially heavy hitting, providing a satisfying instant whitening effect.
Doing a Deep Clean
Deep cleaning tasks like eliminating gunk from your oven interior, scrubbing soot off the bottom of pans, and removing embedded dirt from grout are often associated with elbow grease, which is why they get postponed for so long. Fortunately, there’s a way to work smarter, not harder. Scoop The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste onto a soft cloth or sponge, then scrub it onto the area to be cleaned. For extra stain removal power, leave it to sit for 10-15 minutes before washing the paste away with clean water.
Addressing Everyday Housework
Amid extensive spring cleaning efforts, don’t neglect everyday tasks. Whether you’re cleaning counters, showers or dirty sneakers, try a mild abrasive cleaner, such as The Pink Stuff The Miracle Paste Squeezable. This softer, easy-to-rinse formula comes in a convenient tube that lets you apply the paste directly where you need it so there’s no mess or fuss. Squeeze the paste directly onto the surface to be cleaned, gently rub using a soft cloth, sponge or sonic scrubber, then rinse thoroughly to remove any residue.
By reaching for the right products for each task, you can make your spring clean feel effortless and enjoyable.
