We often associate spring with that sudden (more often forced) burst of energy known as “spring cleaning.” Time to eradicate those dust bunnies before they populate, right? But true spring-cleaning is more than blindly probing the vacuum head under your bed to grab that errant blob of dust that escaped your normal weekly cleaning. It’s about maintaining a healthy home environment and reducing the dust, dirt and allergens that can trigger seasonal allergies. A central vacuum system is the ideal spring-cleaning weapon to combat allergy triggers, as it won’t release dust and dirt back into the home’s air. Its powerful suction and the fact that the power unit is located in the garage, helps remove allergens and then keeps them from recirculating so you and your family can literally breathe easier. An easy way to do it is to break your spring-cleaning into manageable “zones.” The best part of using this method. . . You do a little at a time. Here’s three zones to get you started:
Zone 1: Bedroom
Mattresses are the ideal hiding place for dust mites, a major cause of allergies, not to mention just plain disgusting. Turn your mattress and use your upholstery tool and central vac to clean your mattress surfaces. Clean surfaces and de-clutter. Go through the undershirt drawer and remove all holey or stained shirts. You’ll need those old shirts to clean other rooms. They make excellent rags. And hey, spring fashions are out . . . Good excuse to buy some new stuff!
Your central vac has a dusting brush that can be used to remove dust from lights and to de-web ceiling corners and baseboards. Old dryer sheets also make good cleaning cloths. It’s about using what you have and making cleaning easy. Just like Hide-A-Hose’s retractable hose technology, right? 
Zone 2: Bathroom
Bathroom surfaces are a perfect mold and mildew breeding ground. Empty drawers and throw away expired medications. Reduce your collection of bottles to the ones you use and only put things on surfaces that you use daily. Buy shelves or other devices that can hang in the shower to get them up and off of surfaces where water and mold can collect. Replace or wash shower curtains in bleach. Use your central vac’s dusting brush to de-dust exhaust fans and dry dust drawers.
Zone 3: Kitchen
Empty your refrigerator shelves completely and wash all surfaces. Remove expired food. Unplug and clean behind your fridge. Use your dusting and crevice tool to clean the refrigerator coils; this makes your fridge last longer and run more efficiently. Empty and dust surfaces in pantries and drawers. Your central vac’s dusting tool is excellent for dry dusting and removing crumbs before you damp wash with those old undershirts. A little vinegar and water is all you need to safely clean surfaces. Keep a donation bag for anything you haven’t opened or eaten in 2 months. Your community food bank and hungry families will thank you. And really . . . do you need 7 spatulas? Before you put things back in drawers, box up items that are duplicates or unused. The Vietnam Vets will pick up household items for free. And recycle all those empty mayo jars, Chinese takeout food containers and pill bottles. There. That was easy, wasn’t it?
