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8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | MARCH 2025 By Karen Range, Resident Spring may bring April showers and May flowers, but it may also bring that yearly ritual known as spring cleaning. I was curious, as you may be, about how an annual spring cleaning ritual got started. According to a Washington Post article, it was during the 1800s that a deep, thorough spring-time housecleaning began. Winter months le homes coated with a layer of soot and grime in every room. Lamps of the time were lit with whale oil or kerosene, which had to be heated with coal or wood and that tended to be messy. Proper cleaning required opening windows to let the soot out, which could only be done during warmer weather. e ritual or tradition of spring cleaning continues today. ere is even an official National Spring Cleaning Week that starts on the fourth Sunday in March and runs for that entire week (this year March 23 – 29). Several web sites recommend creating a spring cleaning checklist. ere are many printable checklists available online. One I like is the Taste-of-Home checklist where you can check- off each activity as it is completed. Here are some recommendations for spring cleaning jobs to tackle: Baseboards – First vacuum to remove loose dust. For stain removal, dip a sponge or rag into a mixture of warm water and dish soap (you can also use vinegar) to remove marks. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can also be used. Tip: Once the baseboards are clean, you can keep them dust-free by rubbing them with a dryer sheet. Cabinet handles and door knobs – Disinfect these items using a disinfecting spray or wipe to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Rugs – Vacuum and shampoo rugs. Synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backings can be deep-cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine and a hot-water extraction machine. Oriental rugs may require professional cleaning. Sliding door tracks – Use a toothbrush or crevice brush to loosen dirt and then use a vacuum hose to remove the loosened debris. Finish by going over the track with a wet sponge. Upholstered furnishings – Cushions can be taken outside and gently beaten to remove dust. Your vacuum's upholstery and crevice tools can be used to clean under seat cushions. Walls, doors and ceilings - Use a vacuum to remove dust. A solvent-free degreaser can be used on stubborn surface grime which may accumulate on kitchen walls. Window casings and crown moldings - Always work from the top of a room down, vacuuming the dust that settles on the floor. Avoid using dusting sprays. Window treatments - Check labels on draperies and curtains to see if they are machine washable. Dry-clean fabric shades. Wipe wooden blinds with a damp cloth. Metal and vinyl blinds can be cleaned using warm water mixed with a mild dishwashing liquid. Please note that the cleaning information included in this article is meant to be suggestive. Always check labels and use cleaning solutions on a small test area to make sure your cleaning activities leave your home sparkling and not damaged. Spring Cleaning By Suzette Strauss, Resident Spring is in the air, and it's the perfect time to do your personal outdoor home inspection. I have a dear friend, of many years, who does this every month. Perhaps you will find value in it and implement your own regularly scheduled inspection. Starting with the ground level, check for water reservoirs that can become a mosquito breeding container. Studies show that they can hatch out in as little as a 16.9 oz. bottle cap full of water. Check around the base of your home for failing stucco, especially under sliding glass doors. Also check the bottom of your garage and side door frames for possible water and termite damage. Look for tripping hazards. You will need to be aware of them as you gaze up to inspect the rest of the house. Next, focus on overall stucco on the walls and around windows. Note any cracks on the walls or chips on the corners, and schedule repairs, as these can lead to water seeping behind the stucco and causing damage. Finally, inspect the eaves and rain gutters. If you see moist areas under your eaves this could be a sign of a roof leak. e best time to inspect this is a day or two aer a time of rain. I recently learned that homes with a tower above the entry are more susceptible to this. Rain gutters should flow freely. If tall trees are nearby, they may need routine cleaning. Hopefully you can give your home an A+. But if not, there are many reliable repair services in Hemet. Get your clipboards and let's do this. Springtime Outdoor Home Inspection

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