Three Spring Cleaning Tasks That Offer The Most Bang For Your "Buck"

Does the idea of spring cleaning your home from top to bottom seem overwhelming? Maybe you don't have time (or energy) to clear out every closet and dust off every knick-knack. The good news is, you don't really have to. These three spring cleaning tasks offer a lot of bang for your "buck." Complete just the three of them, and your home will be notably cleaner -- and without all that much effort on your part.

Have your ducts cleaned.

The air ducts in your home are a gathering place for dust, pet dander, mold spores, and other irritants. Whenever the heat kicks on, these particles are scattered through your home. They land on surfaces like your furniture and bedding, making it necessary for you to clean these items more often. Most HVAC companies offer duct cleaning services. They'll use special equipment to reach deep into your ducts, eliminating all debris. They'll also clean out your air returns and heating vents. Expect to pay between $300 and $500 for duct cleaning, depending on the size of your home. Contact a company like Coastal Home Services to learn more. 

Shampoo the carpet.

Your carpet may feel lush and soft under your feet, but it has a dirty little secret. Carpet can be one of the dirtiest surfaces in your home, as it collects bacteria and viruses from your feet, pets, food spills, and other sources. Studies have found dangerously high levels of infectious bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria and Shigella on the carpet. Of course, there are dust mites and mold spores that can cause allergies, too. Bacteria and allergens can be scattered through your home whenever you touch the carpet and then another surface.

Have your carpet professionally steam cleaned, and your whole home will stay cleaner. Carpet cleaning services are quite affordable at an average of $25 - $75 per room.

Wash the windows.

This task mostly offers aesthetic value. When your home's windows are dirty and dingy, your whole home looks dirty and dim. Clean the windows, and more light will come into your rooms. Plus, the gleam of freshly cleaned windows will overshadow any areas that are still slightly dusty or dirty. In most cases, you can tackle window cleaning yourself -- unless you have windows that are difficult or unsafe to reach without specialized equipment. A few tips that will help include:

• Use a squeegee to remove water or cleaning solution from the freshly washed window. This will prevent streaks.
• Use moistened cotton swabs to remove dirt from hard-to-reach creases and crevices.
• Opt for a dedicated window cleaner rather than an all-purpose cleaner. It will do a better job of loosening stuck-on grime and bugs.

If you have your ducts and carpets cleaned and wash your windows, your whole home will look and be so much cleaner.