9 DIY Spring Cleaning Tips: Prism Specialties' Experts Share Essential Home Spring Refresh Advice

Specialty Restoration Franchise Shares Industry Secrets for Fending off Allergens, Mildew, and Fire Risks

LIVONIA, Mich., March 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The season of open windows and wardrobe refreshes is upon us. As people start their springtime deep-clean, Prism Specialties, the leader in specialty residential and industrial restoration projects, is pulling back the curtain on essential cleaning strategies for homeowners wanting to refresh some of the harder-to-clean appliances and objects in their kitchens, living rooms and laundry rooms.

Cleaning your home during the transitional period between winter and spring is essential for warding off common allergens, improving the interior air quality, and eliminating potentially deadly fire hazards. From kitchen deep cleans to routine rug cleanings, there is more to spring cleaning than just opening the windows and wiping down surfaces.

As the experts in a wide range of electronic, textile, art and document restoration services, Prism Specialties has put together a 'Spring-Cleaning To-Do List" that will help prevent damage and protect your home this season of renewal:

• Refresh the washing machine: Mold can grow in both front and top-load washing machines, particularly around the door seal, detergent dispenser and drainage pipes. Not only can this impact your clothes, but also the longevity of your washing machine which can be a hefty investment. It is essential to clean your machine regularly so your clothes and home smell fresh this season!
  • Run a cycle on hot without any clothes inside before spraying the interior with vinegar.
  • Be sure to wear protective gear on your hands and eyes both when spraying and wiping down the surfaces.
• Clean the dryer vent: A build-up of lint in your dryer vent, not just the lint trap, can be a major fire hazard in your home. While habitually checking your dryer and clothes for burn marks is a must, be sure to do an audit of your machine's overall wellbeing every 12 months.
  • Clean out the vent at the back of your machine to boost efficiency, eliminate burning smells, and minimize your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Check your water filter and ice maker: Water filters only last around six months before needing to be replaced. If you don't change water filters often enough, bacteria, chemicals and particles can start to build up in your water and ice machine, making you sick.
  • You might put more ice in drinks when the temperatures rise, so be sure to wipe down any ice trays before filling them. 
  • Make sure to replace your water filters at the start of the new season with fresh, clean water.
• Scrape off the oven: The winter can be a busy season for large gathering and meals and all those winter time feasts can make a large mess inside the oven. Spring time is the perfect time to that deep oven clean so make sure your oven is ready for your next feast!
  • Use a baking soda paste to target residue build-up and scrape crumbs off your oven's floor, walls or door.
  • Don't use oven cleaning sprays on anything other than the interior of an oven as the chemicals inside the spray can cause damage to cabinets, appliances and countertops.
  • Avoid using the self-cleaning feature of your oven as the high temperatures of this feature can be a burn hazard for pets and children.
• Fire up your grill, safely: Leftover crumbs and residue can harbor germs and bacteria, giving any food you cook on your grill an odd flavor.
  • Remove the grills, and soak them in vinegar. Use a scraper and wire brush to clean off debris.
  • Before using, light the grill for about 20 minutes.
• Swap out your air filters: Swapping out your HVAC filter can help eliminate pollutants like pet hair, dust and pollen. If left for too long, your air filter might get clogged up, forcing your home's heating and cooling system to work extra hard to push fresh air through.
  • After turning off your unit, remove your current air filter.
  • Follow the instructions about air flow direction when installing the new filter.
• Dust off artwork: A buildup of dust on works of art can cause permanent discoloration and spots.
  • Routinely use clean, soft brushes or microfiber cloths to wipe down surfaces and keep dust from building up.  
• Wipe down or wash blinds and curtains: Window shades are incredibly useful to keep temperatures down, but overtime they can accumulate dust and allergens.
  • Drapes or curtains need to be washed once a year whether by hand, a washing machine or professional cleaning service.
  • For blinds, use a microfiber duster to pick up dry debris, and mix a solution of dish soap and water for scrubbing the surfaces.
• Let your rugs breathe: As the most high traffic objects in your home, rugs deserves a little TLC, especially if you suspect there might be dust mites or fleas present.
  • Invest in a rug shampoo designed for the materials it is made of. Scrub and rinse your rug before hanging it over a fence or banister to dry.

"Routine cleaning habits in the springtime are about more than just a yearly refresh—it can give homeowners peace of mind," said James Copeland, the Director of Technical Services at Prism Specialties. "No matter the time of year, accidents are bound to happen; but we want to educate people on what to look for and hopefully get ahead of potential damage to their belongings and home. If you discover an appliance, work of art, or textile that needs professional restoration during your spring cleaning, your local Prism Specialties is here to help."

Since 1993, Prism Specialties has been committed to providing expert restoration services for more specialty categories than anyone in the market. Its strength and value stems from the original pursuit to create deep competency in each specialty. As these services continue to transition to one brand, the way will be paved to serve a larger market. 

To learn more about Prism Specialties, visit https://www.prismspecialties.com.

About Prism Specialties:
Prism Specialties provides the most robust range of electronic, appliance, textile, art, collectibles and document restoration services in residential and industrial markets and has been since 1993. The teams of experts at Prism Specialties are committed to world-class recovery and restoration in the wake of their customer's needs. Available 24/7, its brands offer optimized business services to minimize interruption at a competitive cost. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit https://www.prismspecialties.com/franchising-opportunity/

SOURCE Prism Specialties