11 Ways To Bring On Spring

11 Ways to Bring On Spring

Want your place to feel fresh in a flash? Here's how:

1. Gather Up Throw Rugs:
and take them outside for a good
shake. Then air them on a clothes-
line or railing for several hours.

2. Buy a Few Potted Plants:
(pansies and gerber daisies will be
flowering soon), and tuck them into
nicer pots. It's still too chilly for planting,
but meantime you can enjoy their pretty
petals.

3. Do a Quick Fridge and Freezer Clear-out
to make room for springtime fare and
plan to eat up any frozen stews and soups.

4. Switch From Tablecloths:
to place mats, and arrange a bowl of
fruit or a vase of fresh flowers in the
middle of the kitchen table. The mats
are easier to keep clean-plus, if your table
looks set, it's a less likely landing pad for
mail and other clutter.

5. Ditch Grungy Kitchen Sponges: in favor
of cheery, colorful ones. Heck, splurge
on a nice dish liquid too.

6. Once Easter and Passover:
have, well, passed, most of your roasting
days are over until autumn. So self-
clean the oven some weekend- its still cool
enough that you won't swelter, and you'll be
ready (and feeling smug) come the holiday
season in the fall.

7. De-Funk Your Fabrics:
wash the mattress pad, pillow coverings
and pillows from everyone's bed (all pillow
types except foam can go into the washer,
but check the labels for specific laundering
instructions). Then do a second load with
your bath mat, shower curtains, and even the
curtain liner on the gentle cycle in hot water.

8. Fresh Lemons Smell Clean:
so try this: Cut one in half, put the pieces in a
microwave safe bowl with water to cover, and
cook on high for two to three minutes. The
steam will soften hardened food inside the
oven while you enjoy the citrus scent, Then
grate the fruit in the garbage disposal to eliminate
any musty odor and greasy gunk.

9. In The Bathroom:
see if your loofah or toothbrush needs
replacing . You should get a new brush every
three months and a new scrubber every 30 days,
but toss immediately if the bristles are frayed
or the loofah is mildewy. Also, check the cabinet
for expired cold medicines and trash them.

10. Wipe Down Your Computer Screen:
with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth.
Do the same with the mouse pad, then load
a fun wallpaper on the screen.

11. Take Plastic Garbage Cans Outside:
for a quick hosing out, and leave them upside
down to dry. Then sprinkle the bottoms with
baking soda to keep cans odor free.