It may feel like winter will never end, but spring is right around the corner and with that comes the annual chore of spring cleaning. Real Simple magazine’s editor Stephanie Sisco stopped by Studio 1A to show tips to help make cleaning quicker, easier and more efficient so you can get back to enjoying the warmer weather.
Lamps
With all of its crevices, lamps can be a tricky piece to dust. Sisco suggest using a lint brush over the shade to gather dust, then use a blow dryer to clear any dust out of the seams.
Blinds
Dusting blinds is one of the most pesky cleaning tasks, but it doesn’t have to be. Just grab a dryer sheet, swipe the blinds and move on.
Ceiling fans
Cleaning the ceiling fan can be so much easier — and faster — than hovering over and under blades to wipe them clean. Instead, grab a pillowcase, spritz the inside with a water and vinegar solution, then rub it over each blade. The best part: This will trap the dirt inside the pillowcase so you don’t need to sweep the floor afterward. And it lets you clean both sides at the same time.
Pet hair
It can be the cause of cleaning nightmares, but pet hair can actually be much, much easier to tackle. Sisco recommends putting on a rubber glove and wiping upholstery in one direction, running over the same area two to three times. As you do so, the hair will clump together. Simply grab the hair and toss it.
Carpets and rugs
To get those carpets clean, Sisco suggests vacuuming back and forth vertically across the room to ensure that you haven’t missed any spots. To get an extra-deep clean, run over each spot four times to pick up any dirt wedged in between fibers.
Wood and tile floors
Toss the whole “mop and bucket” routine. Instead, simply take a mop with a detachable microfiber cloth and spray the cloth with an all-purpose cleaner, or a mixture of water and two tablespoons of vinegar. When the cloth is dirty, toss it in the washing machine for easy cleaning.
This article was originally published Mar. 6, 2015 at 11:41 a.m. ET.