Healthy Living, Retirement Tips

Give Your Home the Ultimate Spring Cleaning: 6 Tips for a Thorough Clean-Out

With spring in the air, it’s a great time to freshen up your home with a top-to-bottom cleaning.

Sixty-six percent of adults report participating in spring cleaning, yet 54% find it hard to get motivated and figure out where to begin. That’s because a spring cleaning is more than just mopping the kitchen floor, vacuuming the living room and scrubbing dingy grout. It requires a deeper clean-out — especially when it comes to things that don't regularly get much love.

1. Make sure windows are squeaky clean. If you like to open the curtains and raise the blinds on a sunny day, clean windows are a must and it’s always amazing what a difference it makes! Start by adjusting blinds or shades and go over them with a duster, then make sure window sills are free of dirt and debris. Wipe down windows inside and outside with a gentle glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth. Making your own vinegar-based glass cleaner is inexpensive, safe, and environmentally friendly. Reusable, washable cloths made from cotton and cellulose are also a good choice for your wallet and the earth. Finish the job by vacuuming the sills along with fabric shades and curtains.  
2. Freshen up the microwave. Old food odors, be gone! Good Housekeeping magazine recommends filling a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water, a chopped-up lemon or lime and a few tablespoons of white vinegar. Place inside and let the microwave run on high for two to three minutes or until the solution comes to a boil. Let it sit and cool for five minutes before opening the door and wiping down the interior and door with a clean damp sponge. The steam will loosen up any caked-on food, and the lemon will not only help clean but will also smell nice.
3. Clean out the fridge. Even if you wipe your refrigerator’s shelving down regularly, it’s not enough to keep your appliance fresh and clean. Pop out the bins and shelves and scrub them down with warm, soapy water to eliminate lingering bacteria from old food and spillage. If odor lingers in plastic drawers, try coating with a paste of baking soda and water and let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and wiping them down.
4. Make your stainless-steel shine. According to Bob Vila, olive oil can be an effective cleaning agent for stainless steel. Pour just a drop or two onto a soft cloth, spreading a thin layer over the entire area you’re polishing. Using moderate pressure, make small circles as you move across the surface. After you buff it, go over it with a clean, dry cloth for instant shine.
5. Think beyond your bed sheets. Spring cleaning means it’s time to tackle comforters, pillows and accent pillows. Check the labels to see what can be laundered at home and what needs to get sent to the dry cleaner’s.
6. Organizing your closets. Emptying out your closet for a cleaning might seem overwhelming, but a clean closet can give you a better start to each day. Be sure to dust the shelves, rods, boxes and bins, and vacuum the floor. As you’re packing away bulky sweaters to make room for warm-weather attire, put the clothes you plan to wear regularly within easy reach and organize them by category. Decide what you can store and what can be donated to charities like Goodwill or The Salvation Army to make more room and lighten the load.

Got spring home projects on your list?  

As you’re tidying up your home, a renovation project may seem like the next step to a refreshed, more functional space. Did you know you can use a reverse mortgage to finance home improvements? Homeowners and homebuyers age 62 and older can use this loan option to borrow against their home equity, while still retaining ownership. As with any mortgage, you must meet your loan obligations and keeping current with property taxes, insurance and maintenance. However, you can even use reverse mortgage proceeds to cover these costs.

Make your remodel a reality

U.S. homeowners spent more than $340 billion on home improvements and repairs last year, with the average bathroom remodel carrying an $18,000 price tag. If you find yourself in need of major home repairs or updates, a reverse mortgage loan may help provide the funds to do so. Call Reverse Mortgage Funding, LLC (RMF) at 888-277-1567 to set up a convenient in-person appointment with one of our experienced loan specialists.

This content is sponsored by RMF, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders. We are dedicated to helping older Americans retire more freely, in the comfort of their own homes. As a result of our commitment to providing an extraordinary and positive customer experience, we have earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating; a 5-star / Excellent score on Trustpilot; 4.8 out of 5 stars on LendingTree; and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call 888-277-1567 to speak with a licensed reverse mortgage specialist to learn about our retirement financing products and solutions.

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