101 Ideas: More tips for spring cleaning

A guide to spring cleaning:

Kitchen

Clean inside the refrigerator. The best cleaner is a combination of abrasive salt and bubbly soda water.

If there's a lime buildup around the faucet, lay paper towels over the fixture and soak it with vinegar, letting it set for one hour. The deposits will soften and become easier to remove.

To clean chrome, glass or stainless-steel appliances, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water.

Set your oven to self-clean. Be sure to wipe up major spills before setting it to self-clean.

Thoroughly clean the microwave.

Organize the pantry and throw out any expired foods.

Bathrooms

For a vinyl shower curtain: Throw the shower curtain in the washing machine with a few towels, a cup of white vinegar and your detergent, then air dry.

To remove hard-water scale or mildew on shower and faucet heads, soak them in vinegar. If the head isn't removable, position a plastic bag filled with vinegar over it and tape it shut.

Bedrooms

Turn mattress.

Launder bedding and pillows. If you change bedding for the season, air out the spring blankets before putting them on the bed. Store winter bedding after having it cleaned.

Switch out cool-weather clothing for warm-weather clothes. Be sure to wash or dry-clean winter clothing before storing.

Home Office

Get important papers in order. Set aside all tax-return information so it's handy. Store any files from last year that need to be saved.

Closets

Vacuum inside closets and watch for signs of insects. Be sure that the closet or designated area is also clean and free of anything that bugs might find delicious. Dust, other insects, crumbs or food and beverage stains are all attractive to pests.

Outside

Sweep porch and deck, as well as around doors and windows to get rid of cobwebs and debris.

Wash outdoor furniture. Mild dishwashing detergent should work for most materials, but check your care labels to be sure.

(For thousands of other ideas visit www.hgtv.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.) (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com)