the flowers are blooming the birds are singing sweet melodies but the house still feels like it s stuck with winter blues spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the often hectic seasons of spring and summer it can feel like a daunting task but it doesn t have to be difficult as we transition to warmer weather conditions certain household chores will need attention and we have eight spring cleaning tips to get you started refrigerator it s always the right time to thoroughly deep clean your fridge but we love the idea of getting it spotless and ready for fresh summer produce give your fridge a simple wipe down go through the trays and drawers with a sponge and soapy water any removable parts can be scrubbed in the sink when everything is clean do a final wipe down with a spray bottle full of diluted vinegar this will disinfect without adding any harmful chemicals to your food storage area patiopatio maintenance is important throughout all seasons but this is another great time to sweep your deck or patio spray down dusty furniture and get everything in tiptop shape for evening sessions enjoying the fresh air and sunsets to deep clean a concrete patio mix 1 2 cup baking soda and 3 4 liters of water for a gentle cleaning solution you can add a few drops of dish soap if you have some stubborn stains laundry for odor fighting power add 1 2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle or 1 2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle wash all your towels sports uniforms and swimsuits as they will be rotating this summer your household will be filled with extra laundry plus sweat chlorine grease and campfire smoke windows get your windows sparkling clean and let the sunshine in try this simple homemade window cleaning solution mix one part distilled vinegar with 10 parts warm water in a spray bottle spray the solution on to your windows then use a lint free towel to wipe down the window use a second clean cloth to dry the window thoroughly enjoy the summer views from inside the house dustbin speaking of smells hot summer weather tends to make your trash can even slinkier than usual take your empty bin outside and scrub it with soap and water then rinse with the garden hose another tip is to soak a cotton ball in essential oil 5 15 drops and toss it into your trash can before putting in a new liner for a long lasting fresh scent enjoy your spring