All My Favorites For Tackling Spring Cleaning + Which Smart Thermostat Is Best?

Welcome to the 839th Metamorphosis Monday! Thanks so much for all your awesome input yesterday! The Dollhouse keeps boxing me into weird corners where the thing I really want to do, doesn’t necessarily work in that house. I’m stubborn, though. lol My favorite style bed is a 4-poster style bed, I’ve always found them to be so romantic and over-the-top beautiful. So since the prevailing opinion in the comments yesterday seems to be that a 4-poster bed would not work well in that odd little bed-nook area of the master bedroom, I’m going to wait and not replace the bed I’m currently using in that spot. Pssst: If you have no idea what the heck I’m talking about, please check out yesterday’s post here: Beautiful 4-Poster, Canopy Beds That I’m Considering for the Dollhouse Bedroom. Thank you again for all your thoughtful and gently worded input yesterday! Someday soon, I should write a post sharing all the times the Dollhouse has told me, “NO” over the past 9 months! Ha!

I know many of us are still dealing with freezing cold temps right now. It’s pretty chilly here in Georgia but I’m not complaining since I know it could be much worse. But for now, my mind is dreaming of the beautiful spring days ahead. How can I not think about spring when this is happening in the garden right now?!

With thoughts of spring dancing through my head, not to mention the dust bunnies I noticed in the upstairs hall this morning, today I’m sharing all my favorites for spiffing up the house and getting it ready for the beautiful spring days ahead. Before we get into my favorite cleaning tools, I’ve had several comments asking for the sweater shaver that I use to remove pills/fuzz from my winter sweaters. Before you tuck away those winter sweaters this spring, this is the shaver I recently purchased to keep at the Dollhouse, and it works great! I also use it to remove little pills/fuzz that occur on the heels of my favorite Merino wool socks that I live in all winter. You’ll find it available here: Fabric Sweater Shaver to remove pills.

Always at the top of a list of my favorite cleaning tools is this Super Cleaner. I tripped over this cleaner years ago when I was trying to find a way to get denim transfer stains off of the leather driver’s seat in my previous car. I was astounded by the photos I saw online of what this cleaner can do! Thankfully, it did remove the impossible-to-get-out bluish denim stains. Since then, it has been my go-to cleaner for just about everything. I have a bottle in every bathroom, the kitchen, and the laundry room. It saves me so much angst and elbow grease! When I clean away the grime of winter on the screened porch next week, this is what I’ll be using because it can tackle pretty much anything. I truly hope they never stop making it! If you have areas of your home that are stubborn to clean, check out this amazing cleaner. You’ll find it available here: Favorite Cleaner.

For cleaning windows, I love Hope’s Perfect Glass. It does a wonderful job of cleaning windows without leaving ugly streaks. You’ll find it available here: Glass Cleaner.

Many years ago I came across these trash bags and was hooked! I was not a happy camper when they were not available for a while during that period when so many things were in short supply. Thankfully, they are fully back now and you best believe, I have stocked up. lol I love how thick they are and especially love the handles at the top that are so easy to tie off. They are by far my favorite trash 13-gal size bag. I use them in the kitchen and in my study since I have a good-sized trash can there, too. I just noticed they have a 4.8-star rating after 7,000+ reviews. They deserve it! You’ll find these available here: Best Trash Bags.

I have never tried this cleaner before on carpet, but after seeing the awesome reviews, I’m going to order a bottle. I only have one room of carpet here in the Georgia house, but it would be great to have it on hand for that area. You’ll find it available here: Carpet Cleaner.

When I added this Dyson vacuum to my home a few years back, I became a big Dyson fan. I’ve never been able to vacuum my home as fast as I can with this cordless vacuum. I’m amazed by how the head swivels and gets into narrow places that no vacuum I’ve used before could.

As soon as I moved into the Dollhouse, I knew I would be buying another Dyson. They had just come out with a new vacuum that had a larger reservoir. Loved that idea so this is the one I chose. I love it! Dyson vacs are bit more expensive than some other cordless vacuums, but in my opinion, they are worth it. Again, I can’t believe how fast I can move through the house without having to worry about a cord dragging behind me or coming unplugged. The thing that seems to set Dyson apart is how powerful they are, they are definitely the most powerful cordless vacuum that I’ve tried. You’ll find the Dyson vacuum that I am currently using and loving in the Dollhouse here: Favorite Dyson Vacuum.

Years ago I purchased this spin mop for mainly moping my kitchen, laundry room, and screened porch flooring.

I would like to buy another spin mop for the Dollhouse but the Mopnado is no longer available, so I’m thinking of getting this one based on its great reviews: 4.5 stars after 53,541 reviews! I love mopping with a system like this since it makes the process go so much faster…and I’m all about getting the cleaning done and over with as fast as possible. You’ll find it available here: Clean, Rinse & Spin Mop.

I just discovered The Pink Stuff when I was looking for a great cleaner to clean my ancient tubs here in Georgia. I am planning on having them refinished since they are still in great shape, but just worn from 40+ years of use. In the meantime, The Pink Stuff worked wonders! I don’t know that I’d use it on a new tub since it’s quite strong, but it’s great for old tubs that have really become difficult to clean. You’ll find it available here: The Pink Stuff.

When I first moved into the Dollhouse, I was pretty discouraged by all the streaks and marks I kept finding on the staircase walls, the dining room and living room walls, and the downstairs hallway. Then I remembered Magic Eraser! It removed allll the streaks, every last one of them! The walls look so much better and now, instead of feeling like I need to immediately paint all those areas, I can take my time deciding on when/if I do want to paint them. Whoever invented the Magic Eraser is a genius! You’ll find it available here: Magic Eraser.

I’ve shared this system before but had to share it again since it’s still my favorite. I have this in every bathroom here in Georgia and as soon as I moved in, I purchased this Toilet Cleaning System for all four of the bathrooms in the Dollhouse. I can’t stand to store away yucky, used toilet brush. I love how you just pop the scrubbing sponge off into the trashcan when you’re done. So much better than the old way! You’ll find it available here: Favorite Toilet Cleaning System.

I have one of these cute mini-vacuums that I use frequently in my study here in Georgia, so when I first started visiting my son’s and his family in Ohio and set up a small desk there, I immediately purchased another one. They work so well for cleaning your keyboard and desktop. To be so small, they sure do a great job of vacuuming up the dust and other “stuff” that finds its way onto a desk. If you sometimes eat at your desk, as I do, it’s great for vacuuming up little crumbs. You’ll find it available here: Mini Desk or Table Vacuum.

A few of more of my favorite office/study things…love these electronic miracle wipes. I use them on my computer screens, phone, and iPad. They work great! You’ll find it available here: Miracle Wipes for Electronics.

I also use these extra large cleaning cloths when I’m just wiping away dust. I love how big they are! You’ll find it available here: Lens Cleaning Cloth.

For my eyeglasses, I love these individually wrapped, pre-moistened wipes. I always have them in my desk drawer since there’s nothing worse than trying to view a computer screen through smudged glasses. You’ll find these available here: Pre-moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes.

Occasionally, if I want even more moisture than what’s available on the cleaning wipes, I’ll use this cleaner that I keep on desk here in Georgia. My pre-moisten wipes are what I use the most, but I really do like this cleaner, as well. You’ll find it available here: Lens Cleaning Solution.

A while back I shared a post showing how this leather cleaner saved a pair of my L.L. Bean leather duck boots when I managed to drop grape jelly on top of them and didn’t realize it until hours later. I was so happy that this leather cleaner worked because I love those boots and wear them a lot during the wintertime. You can even tell where the jelly was now. I’ve also used them to clean the corners of light-colored leather handbags with great success. I always keep these on hand and use them often. You’ll find it available here: Cleaning Cloths/Wipes for Leather.

This is the dish cleaning I enjoy using on a daily basis. I don’t issues with it clogging up and not releasing the dish cleaning liquid like I have with other brushes. I just repurchased more of the little replacement brushes. It works great! You’ll find it available here: Dish Cleaning Wand.

My daughter-in-law inspired me to try this Dawn powerwash cleaner. She uses it to clean her granite countertops and they always look great. I use it a lot to clean my kitchen sink…love how a clean kitchen sink looks! You’ll find it available here: Dawn Platinum Powerwash.

By far, Hagerty is my favorite silver/silverplate cleaner! It was recommended to me by a very prestigious Silver Shoppe in Atlanta many years ago since it was the only one they used. I’ve been using it ever since. I use the paste version for bowls and trays. You’ll find it available here: Hagerty Silver Cleaner and Tarnish Remover.

I love the spray version for getting down into crevices and intricate details/grooves where a paste doesn’t work as well. One word of caution with the spray: be sure and wear a mask when using it. Really that’s a good idea when using any spray cleaner. You’ll find it available here: Hagerty Spray Cleaner.

I run two warm-mist humidifiers every single winter, one in my bedroom and one in my study/office. This is the cleaning vinegar I’ve been using lately to remove any mineral buildup that occurs on the heating element inside. Regular vinegar isn’t strong enough, but a good cleaning vinegar works great. It can a few days of soaking and refreshing the vinegar to do the job, but it works! You’ll find it available here: Cleaning Vinegar.

If you’re looking for a good hardwood floor cleaner, I’ve had great success with this one. I buy the unscented version but it comes it comes in a Lavender scent. The reviews are excellent! You’ll find it available here: Hardwood Floor Cleaner.

I hope you find this list of my favorite cleaning products helpful as you start your spring cleaning this year. Okay, I’m off to chase down (meaning vacuum) the dust bunnies in the upstairs hallway before the Heating/AC guy gets here. He’s coming out to give me an estimate for replacing the upstairs thermostat with one that can be controlled by my phone, aka a “smart” thermostat. I don’t especially want a smart thermostat, but I feel like I need one for those times when I’m in Ohio and the weather changes here. Nine hours is too far to drive to change the thermostat from “Heat” to “Cool” if you know what I mean.

I have to admit, I have really enjoyed being able to open the Dollhouse garage door from Georgia, via my phone—just used that feature again last week when it was needed. I guess it would be nice to wake up on a cold winter morning and use my phone to turn the heat up a few minutes before forcing myself out of a warm, cozy bed. Any suggestions for a great “smart” thermostat? Do you have one and do you like it?

Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Pssst: Did you know Between Naps On The Porch is on Instagram? You’ll find me on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch. Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your e-mail will never be shared. Subscribe for free post updates here: Subscribe.