TWEAKS+inspiration : Spring Cleaning, etc

How do you feel about spring cleaning? I do love the satisfaction cleaning brings but I'd completed most of the projects I can do myself. This spring, I called in the professionals to do some deferred maintenance. Let's take a look.

My first chore was cleaning out my clothes closet which I then organized by color. I was surprised to see so much blue. I'm enjoying the shelf I set up in the bookshelf after I saw something similar at Melanie's house. Now I have quick access to my everyday jewelry.

In late March, Julio did a spring cleanup.

My first deferred maintenance solution came in March when Phil Bonadona spent the day cleaning the upholstery and carpet. Found on YELP, the Bonadona Carpet Cleaning team was excellent.

In a "no-shoe" house, I hated to see all the dirt. This was the first cleaning on my 4-year old carpet. While I waited for the next project on the schedule, I had two small projects to complete.

When we bought some new furniture 7 years ago, an old chair moved to our bedroom. I wanted to keep as I loved the white cotten duck slipcovers I had custom made years ago.

The problem was that I wanted to use the footstool slipcover on a smaller stool. I tried to find someone to remake it professionally as sewing isn't my long suit but quotes began at $400.

So one foggy spring day, I tore it apart and started again. Don't look too closely! For pillow covers, the pink Waverly fabric can be bought at Walmart and matches the headboard I slipcovered a few years ago. I also purchased a bed pillow for $1.66 (no kidding) and made a 2nd pillow for the chair. It was actually easy peasy.

Beside my bed, I damaged the finish on the top of the chest. Turned out to be another quick project.

It only took a little light sanding, two coats of stain and two of clear Varathane.

Have to say that was a satisfying two-hour project.

The second project was much more exciting for me. I told the men doing the work that getting new window glass was better than Christmas. (Maybe I shouldn't have said that based on their reactions)

In February, I filed a claim on Milgard's website to repair six windows which had broken seals. To be fair, most of them didn't bother me, but when the seal in one of my bedroom windows broke earlier this year, I knew I had to take action. While these are 25-year old windows, Milgard's warranty to replace the glass for as long as you own the house is outstanding.

I couldn't read some of the sales order numbers sandwhiched between the glass panels. After a few emails and calls back and forth, Milgard agreed to send Timothy and his crew (at no charge) to measure the six windows. He also checked the seals on all 46 windows and found more windows where the seal looked suspect. The glass in 10 windows ended up being replaced. There was no charge and the lead time was about 8 weeks.

The only wrinkle was that I needed scaffolding for one window. I was surpised that it cost $1300. I'd never rented scaffolding before but Rosa at ONE Scaffolding made it easy.

The Milgard installers came two weeks ago. Once Lennie was installing this window two stories up, I understood why scaffolding was necessary for his safety.

Smaller windows' glass could be installed from the inside. Had to laugh when I went out to thank the person staging the glass outside. Turns out it was the install owner, Tim, who has been to our house a few times. He even told me which windows he had replaced over the years and was last here about 15 years ago when he worked with P.

A few days later, Jesus and Samid spent four hours cleaning the 46 windows, inside and out, the screens and tracks. I've been using Excellent Windows anually since 2001. Highly recommend.

It's now so bright in here!

The minimum scaffold rental is 30 days. While I didn't need it that long, the window washers were happy to use last week. Yesterday, the scaffolding was removed. I think that completes my spring cleaning for 2026 but since we have a month to go before summer, I'm sure something else will come up - doesn't it always? In the meantime, enjoy your Sunday!