Spring, New Beginnings, and Community
The glimmers of warmth and sunshine that come with fake spring are the hallmarks of spring break in Iowa. Those sunshine dopamine bursts found me planning a flower garden and enjoying community events after winter hibernation. Thanks to having all four seasons in one week, I also found myself cleaning mud off dogs and floors, digging out summer clothes one day and the following day, regretfully putting on a parka.
Spring is officially the season of purging the old, cleaning, and planting new beginnings. In that spirit, this month I’m sharing my cleaning tips, photos from my client’s home projects and asking you to share your best tips/recommendations and photos!
Cleaning Tips From the Front Lines
Confession- I haven’t turned cleaning services over to a professional at the Draper yet. It has been an active AirBNB for almost six months and it has been Adam and I doing the cleaning every check in and check out. Do I recommend this to other AirBNB owners-maybe. For me, this choice wasn’t to save money or to satisfy my need for punishment (I don’t enjoy cleaning), but it was a desire to ensure that I knew what the guest experience I wanted to create required. In order to hand the cleaning off to someone else, I had to know what the process was we were going to expect someone else to do. Now that we are ready to hire someone, I’m sharing my best tips for cleaning and the products you need to clean efficiently and with less frustration.
FLOORS — TOP PICK FOR LVP, TILE, CONCRETE, LAMINATE
Now that I’m responsible for cleaning two homes with mostly hard surfaces, I can confidently say that there is no substitute for a mop and a bottle of Fabuloso. As much as I love the convenience of a swiffer and use them for touch ups, they are not a powerful enough cleaner for homes with pets, kids and/or guests-particularly with Iowa weather. I purchased multiple mop combos and iterations and at the end of the day, the commercial products make quicker work and leave floors cleaner.
LIBMAN COMMERCIAL MOP BUCKET W/ WRINGER AND MOP-5 STARS-$50-80
ALL AROUND MUST HAVES:
LIbman broom and dust pan — This company’s tried and true old school products are the best.
Baking soda and/or vinegar — I clean my kitchen drains, shower drains and plumbing with this combination regularly. Baking soda mixed with water made into a paste is also great for removing stains from countertops and getting tough stains out of many surfaces.
Mr. Clean magic eraser — I have used these on surfaces I don’t even think you are supposed to. They clean everything. They are great for white baseboards and cabinets, discolorations on walls/ceilings (not on flat non-white paint) and bathroom surfaces.
Client Community & Projects
One of my favorite post-closing texts to get from a client starts with, “look what I/we did” or its later version, “I don’t know why we waited so long” and comes with photos of the fun changes they have made. Here are some diy client projects that I find inspiring, send me some of yours. Sometimes the smallest projects make the biggest impacts!
Send me your recommendations please:
Vacuums — Who absolutely loves their vacuum for carpet and hard surfaces? I cannot find one I love!
Roses — I’m planning on some serious upgrades to the Draper landscaping and a flower garden for cutting is on the top of the list. Who has a rose that is hearty, beautiful and produces flowers all summer?
Landscaping bed inspiration — Send pics and tips, I’m debating between mulch and rocks in a few beds and looking for inspo!