We're doing it all in one week. With the Smallest Coolest Contest and ICFF taking up all of our bandwidth, we're a little behind with our cleaning, but we're going to take this week and get on it.
We just spent the weekend cleaning out a barn on Long Island with some friends, and it was one of the most satisfying things ever. Just like last year, we had hired a dumpster and gradually filled it with junk and debris that had accumulated over the years. The barn is a magnet for storing old stuff, which animals like to nest in over the winter. We peeled off another layer and boy did it feel good. Take our survey below and send us your tips this week.
Just moved into the new place, unpacked, and finished cleaning the old apartment yesterday.
Gosh, it's much easier to clean an empty apartment! : )
view Doug's profile
I'm about to start my spring cleaning tonight after I get home from work and I have a question/situation for all of you out there! We've been in our apartment since September and now that the warm weather is returning we are realizing that we might have a bit of a bug issue. We're moving again this September because the upkeep on our place is just so bad. It's the second floor of an old, poorly maintained house and despite our best efforts to declutter/reorganize/clean it's just dingy.
Having said that, back to the bugs....it's a lot of moths, and also ants and lots of spiders. It's not TONS of bugs, but I have a feeling that as the weather gets warmer/more humid the problem will get worse. My theory is that they're getting in from outside through the windows (we have screens but the windows are just SO old that a lot of the wood has chipped away and left holes - some big enough to see, but I"m sure some are obscured or hard to spot), but also just through cracks in the outside siding of the house and who knows what little nooks and crannies inside hte house.
We're pretty anal about crumbs and food, so I definitely don't think this is an issue brought on by that. But as I'm about to launch into a full scale spring cleaning of the place, does anyone know of any simple, affordable, and pet friendly steps I might add to the cleaning to make the place a little less friendly to bugs? I was wondering if there was something non chemically that I could may spray around the windows to discourage bugs from entering? Any ideas at all would help, we're already pretty clean people so aside from the deep spring cleaning I'm not sure what else to do, and even though we're leaving in September I'll lose my mind if I keep running into spiders and ants while I lay on the couch (have yet to see one in the bedroom, thank God - that will just put me over the edge).
Thanks in advance!!
view bluestar's profile
Still cleaning. I'll finish in about 2 more weeks - after we move and I've cleaned the old place and turned it over to the complex again.
view Kyrdissa's profile
who still does spring cleaning? Really?
view Bryan Hale's profile
Our entire building is Spring cleaning. On June 9th we are having a hug stoop sale (35 apartments). The money we raise will go towards building-wide festivities, such as a Holloween party for the kids and a wine & cheese party for the grown-ups. Come check it out. 375 Lincoln Place btwn Washington & Underhill in Prpspect Heights, B'klyn.
view Lori's profile
Sorry, Prospect Heights.
view Lori's profile
"who still does spring cleaning? Really?"
People who are dirty the rest of the year!
If you keep your place clean theres no need to have a major clean once a year - it should all be clean already
view Violetsrose's profile
I always Autumn (fall) clean - when it's cooler and I feel more like doing things like that. Get the house all clean and fresh all ready for the closed up winter months.
view dancingmorganmouse's profile
I have to disagree with the idea that people only spring clean if they are dirty. It's a great time to do things like wash down walls, remember to rotate mattresses, and all those things that you only have to do 2-4 times a year.
view fiona's profile
Gosh, it's much easier to clean an empty apartment! : )
Understatement of the year, Doug.
I wish a giant hand would pick up furniture and move it for those troubling tasks like cleaning the bit of baseboard that's just out of reach for cleaning but not out of reach of the residue of dust storms.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
bluestar,
If you are in a warm area and won't have a window open until fall, you could put that 3M plastic sheeting over the windows (typically used in the winter). It should stop the bugs and your AC would also work better. Although you may have to look at bug cemetery on your window sill all summer.
There are also many natural deterrents to insects (e.g., diatameous earth is a mineral that stops ants). Google is your friend here.
view Jon_B's profile
Thanks Jon_B!
view bluestar's profile
I turn the mattress once a month and have never had to wash down walls - why would walls need washing unless you've spilt something on them in which case you'd wash it off straight away - bizarre!
If something gets dirty I believe it should be cleaned as soon as that dirt is apparent and not left until once a year
view Violetsrose's profile