Freshen Your Home With These Three Spring Cleaning Upgrades

By now, you’ve probably checked off most of the items on your spring to-do list. The windows and screens are cleaned. Your linens are pressed after a good wash and some time on the clothes line. Everything inside, from top to bottom, is dusted and polished to a shine.

But spring is also a time to freshen up the areas that might often go unnoticed. Take spring cleaning to a whole new level with these three ideas to get your house ready for backyard barbecues, s’mores around the fire pit and an entire summer full of fun.

1. Out With the Old

Do a quick inventory of your home. Look at closets and playrooms, and part with items that haven’t been worn or played within the last year. You can donate them or get a little extra spending cash for summer vacation by hosting a yard sale. After you spend time decluttering, find a system that will help you stay organized and invest in new hangers, bins and shelving.

2. Add a Coat or Two

Your front door takes a beating. It’s kicked when your arms are full of groceries, covered in smudged finger prints and faded after years of sun exposure. Give it a facelift with a new coat of paint, and use semi- or high-gloss paint for easy cleaning in the future. Bold colors like orange and plum are hot for 2014 and will boost your curb appeal.

3. Wash It Out

Refresh your siding, driveway and deck with a little bit of elbow grease and a rented pressure washer. In a weekend, you can tackle months of built-up dirt and grime and make sure your home is as clean on the outside as it is on the inside. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also get tips for how to best use the pressure washer from your local home improvement store.

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