Five tips to make the most of spring cleaning

FALLBROOK – Spring is a common time of year when people embark on heavier-than-usual cleaning projects in and around their home. When the time comes, why not do the most thorough and effective job possible? The following five tips can help provide the best spring cleaning guidance ever.

Recycle

Getting rid of "stuff" is a huge part of any successful spring cleaning. But remember, not everything belongs in the landfill — which is exactly where it’s headed if it is tossed in the regular trash. Fortunately, almost everyone has curbside trash pickup in order to make sure things like hard plastics, glass, cardboard, cans and green waste are properly recycled. Recycling centers can also be found throughout the county.

Household hazardous wastes

These items include old household cleaners, paints, pesticides, batteries, unused medications and more. Not only is it illegal to dispose of these in landfills or down storm drains, they also need special recycling attention. Hazardous waste disposal centers are also available throughout the county.

Wet cleaning

Spring cleaning is often the time people tidy up sheds in the backyard, the garage, or maybe even a cabin – places where critters can get inside. Remember, wild mice can carry hantavirus, a potentially dangerous virus that can be inhaled through contaminated dust, feces, and urine. When cleaning those types of areas, do not sweep or vacuum – use wet cleaning methods. That means to spray those areas with bleach solutions or disinfectants, and use sponges and mops.

Mosquito protection

Speaking of wet-cleaning, spring cleaning is a perfect time to patrol the inside and outside of a home to get rid of any standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Last year, 11 San Diego County residents were diagnosed with the mosquito-driven West Nile virus and tragically, two people died – making it the first time in five years that the county has had any human cases of the disease and the first time since 2007 a local resident died. In addition, another mosquito that can potentially carry dangerous disease was found for the first time ever in the county last year — the Aedes aegypti mosquito that can breed inside a home. Protect everyone by dumping out standing water.

Defensible space

As everyone is aware due to recent history, San Diego County is fire country. Property owners must help protect themselves, tenants, and others by giving firefighters a safe area where they can potentially defend a home from fire if necessary by creating 100 feet of defensible space. That means remove debris, including dry leaves, firewood stacks and trash (including on the roof and in rain gutters); trim tree branches that overhang a home and cut low branches on trees; prune or remove dried-out bushes and plants; and properly dispose of tree and shrub clippings in a bin.