In Texas, we cherish fall for the cooler temps which allows us to get outside more, open up the windows, and turn the AC off for a moment. Many of us will focus on the outdoors, and spend time in the yard, either cleaning up the yard or planning a fall garden. We are here to remind you that your fall cleaning list should include a few things that often get neglected in the heat, inside the home.
First of all, let’s clean those ceiling fans. While at Lost Pines Maids we dust them on every visit, often the very top that you can see can accumulate dust all year long. Get out a step stool, turn the fan off, and clean that tip top with a dry microfiber rag followed by a slightly damp microfiber. Finally, finish with a plain cotton cloth to make sure that you’ve gotten it clean. While you are up there switch your fan rotation blades to winter mode, or clockwise rotation this will ensure that you get the proper air circulation for the coming cooler days.
Attic spaces are next. We often forget these areas completely until the AC guy is called, or we hear rustling in the attic and have to go look for pests. The attic is often completely forgotten on our deep cleaning to-do list. First of all, get up there while it’s not too hot!!! Next clean out any items that have been in storage up there for more than 6 months, and sort. Keep, toss, and donate is the process. Next check for evidence of pests. Then get up in the corners with an extended reach duster or a shop vac with an extension hose. For more tips visit this article that Lost Pines Maids was featured in on the Redfin website: All the Attic Cleaning Tips You Need to Know
Fall is a great time to look at the vents throughout the home. You’ve been running your AC hard all summer long to keep the house cool, so what kind of air has been circulating through the house? Time to clean all the vents, and by all the vents we mean not only AC vents, but also bathroom vents, and dryer vents. All you need is a vacuum, a hard bristle brush, and often a step stool.
For your dryer vent, remove the lint trap, and with the crevice tool, get in as far as you can to remove the excess list that has not been trapped by the filter. Your dryer will thank you.
As for the bathroom vent, that dust is often due to not only dust but also moisture so you might need to use a hard bristle brush such as a grout brush to dislodge stuck debris.
For intake and air vents, you can generally get these cleaned up with a ceiling fan brush. If your intake vent looks discolored, it likely needs to be removed and cleaned with mild soap and water. Let dry fully before replacing. In this Washington Post article, they conclude that the most important step to keeping your vents clean is to change out your filter regularly. You can see the article here: Considering having your air ducts cleaned? Think again.
Your home will thank you for getting these tasks taken care of while the weather is cooler! If you need a hand with some deep cleaning, Lost Pines Maids is here to help. Check our Top to Bottom cleaning, and check a few tasks off your cleaning list.
