Spring Cleaning: Prevent Damage

There are a few dozen home decorating sites with various spring cleaning lists. I thought I’d take the time to remind you what damage can be done if you don’t clean right, especially if you have a fireplace.

Any fireplace, no matter how air tight, releases contaminants into the house. They settle along the top of drapes, crown molding, and in vents. Most people don’t follow the air up their house. The top edge of trim is usually covered with dust, tops of furniture, mirror frames, or even on the walls. If you don’t get it off before it becomes damp, it will stain forever.

You’ll want to get the vents off the basement windows quickly to let fresh air in there and reduce the chance of mould growing. Air movement is the best defense. All winter warm air moved dampness into cracks and crevices. Now it is time to clean it out, before it does any damage.