ClareOaks SENIOR LIVING Clare Oaks expert shares tips for spring cleaning While you are at home staying safe from COVID-19, you can look to the future and begin getting your home ready for summer. Spring cleaning offers immediate gratification and a sense of accomplishment that can be a much-needed mental boost during these difficult times. Sara D'Ambrosio, housekeeping manager at Clare Oaks, the continuing care retirement community in Bartlett, leads a team of staff who clean hundreds of resident apartments every week, with additional deep cleaning each spring. Today, she shares tips on how you can get your bedrooms and living room areas ready quarter cup of rubbing alcohol. for summer. Check the Daily Herald online archive to see her tips on decluttering and tackling the kitchen and bathroom. Show your sofa some love Sara D'Ambrosio, Housekeeping Manager of Clare Oaks Pick the best window-cleaning method for you. Professionals swear by their squeegees, but that can be a tough skill to master if you only wash windows once a year. For most people, paper towels, microfiber cloths or even newspaper work well. Perhaps while you are sheltering at home, you can conduct your own experiments and see what works best. Have you been spending a lot of time on the couch while sheltering at home? It might be time to give that sofa some care. Lift all the cushions and vacuum underneath. Wash blankets that you use on the couch. Check the care instructions on your pillows: many are washable or have removable covers that can be laundered. If not, sprinkle baking powder on the pillows, then let it sit for 30 minutes and vacuum. This will help to remove odor and dry to remove the screens, dip a clean rag into the spores. Get to the bottom of things Clean the screens If you can remove your screens, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water, then scrub the screens using a soft bristle brush and rinse with warm water. If you are not able warm water, wring it out well and wipe down the screen. Choose one room per day and wipe down all About Clare Oaks the baseboards. Warm soapy water works well, or you can use vinegar and warm water. When independent living apartments and cottages possible, move the furniture to clean behind and underneath. And don't forget to clean under beds as well. Since 2008, Clare Oaks provides as well as a continuum of care for nearly 300 residents on its 41-acre campus. Lifestyle and healthcare programs include independent living, assisted living, memory support, short-term rehabilitation and long- Let the sun shine in Clean windows can brighten your room and your mood. Try to clean your windows on a cloudy, grey day: on bright sunny days, the cleaner dries quickly and can leave streaks. term care. Clare Oaks boasts a five-star rating, the highest for skilled nursing and short- term rehab, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In both 2018/19 First remove dirt and dust by vacuuming or by sweeping the window frame with a brush. Next, don't skimp with the spray bottle: using and 2019/20, U.S. News & World Report too little cleaner can leave streaks as well. You awarded Clare Oaks a high-performance can use your favorite glass cleaning product or ranking for Short-Term Stay Rehab. make your own by mixing two cups of water with one-half cup of white vinegar and one- For more information about Clare Oaks, 825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett, Ill., call 630-372-1983 or visit ClareOaks.org. ClareOaks SENIOR LIVING Clare Oaks expert shares tips for spring cleaning While you are at home staying safe from COVID-19, you can look to the future and begin getting your home ready for summer. Spring cleaning offers immediate gratification and a sense of accomplishment that can be a much-needed mental boost during these difficult times. Sara D'Ambrosio, housekeeping manager at Clare Oaks, the continuing care retirement community in Bartlett, leads a team of staff who clean hundreds of resident apartments every week, with additional deep cleaning each spring. Today, she shares tips on how you can get your bedrooms and living room areas ready quarter cup of rubbing alcohol. for summer. Check the Daily Herald online archive to see her tips on decluttering and tackling the kitchen and bathroom. Show your sofa some love Sara D'Ambrosio, Housekeeping Manager of Clare Oaks Pick the best window-cleaning method for you. Professionals swear by their squeegees, but that can be a tough skill to master if you only wash windows once a year. For most people, paper towels, microfiber cloths or even newspaper work well. Perhaps while you are sheltering at home, you can conduct your own experiments and see what works best. Have you been spending a lot of time on the couch while sheltering at home? It might be time to give that sofa some care. Lift all the cushions and vacuum underneath. Wash blankets that you use on the couch. Check the care instructions on your pillows: many are washable or have removable covers that can be laundered. If not, sprinkle baking powder on the pillows, then let it sit for 30 minutes and vacuum. This will help to remove odor and dry to remove the screens, dip a clean rag into the spores. Get to the bottom of things Clean the screens If you can remove your screens, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water, then scrub the screens using a soft bristle brush and rinse with warm water. If you are not able warm water, wring it out well and wipe down the screen. Choose one room per day and wipe down all About Clare Oaks the baseboards. Warm soapy water works well, or you can use vinegar and warm water. When independent living apartments and cottages possible, move the furniture to clean behind and underneath. And don't forget to clean under beds as well. Since 2008, Clare Oaks provides as well as a continuum of care for nearly 300 residents on its 41-acre campus. Lifestyle and healthcare programs include independent living, assisted living, memory support, short-term rehabilitation and long- Let the sun shine in Clean windows can brighten your room and your mood. Try to clean your windows on a cloudy, grey day: on bright sunny days, the cleaner dries quickly and can leave streaks. term care. Clare Oaks boasts a five-star rating, the highest for skilled nursing and short- term rehab, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In both 2018/19 First remove dirt and dust by vacuuming or by sweeping the window frame with a brush. Next, don't skimp with the spray bottle: using and 2019/20, U.S. News & World Report too little cleaner can leave streaks as well. You awarded Clare Oaks a high-performance can use your favorite glass cleaning product or ranking for Short-Term Stay Rehab. make your own by mixing two cups of water with one-half cup of white vinegar and one- For more information about Clare Oaks, 825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett, Ill., call 630-372-1983 or visit ClareOaks.org.