How can I maintain my home in spring?

Tomorrow marks the spring equinox. Aside from longer days and foggy nights (hey, it’s the Bay Area!), what else does this mean? If you’re a homeowner, you’re likely thinking about seasonal maintenance tips for your precious property. Well, wonder no more. House Beautiful offers a gaggle of spring cleaning and home-maintenance tips that will keep your place gorgeous and your mind at ease.

To take care of stainless steel, use a light mist of wax-based aerosol spray once or twice weekly. Use a clean and lint-free cloth to wipe the mist, being sure never to use oils as lint is sure to stick. After you’ve applied the mist, make sure you don’t use any cleaners with bleach or anything abrasive to reduce risk of drying or scratching.

Get started with organizing by neatening your closet. This is the time to purge – thrift shops and charities can use what you no longer wear. If you’re particularly ambitious, try organizing according to style and color. It’ll simplify things on a daily basis.

It’s spring – stains and odors have got to go. When a stain is still fresh, blot up as much as you can straight away – it’ll make your life easier in the long run. While blotting upholstery, use a plastic bag or liner between the cushion and fabric so as not to push the contaminant further into the cushion. Finish off by flushing with cold water, since that doesn’t set stains as badly as its hot counterpart.

Use a sponge and water or clean cloth to clean painted walls. For persistent stains, mix water with a little dishwashing liquid, using the mildest stuff you can find. If it’s really persistent, apply soap straight to the stain. Then make your kid do the rest of the tasks.

Dreaming of San Francisco? Cece Blase offers local advice to San Francisco buyers, sellers and owners– and feeds the dreams of those who wish they could live in Tony Bennett’s ‘City by the Bay.’ Call 415-577-0809 or email cblase@paragon-re.com. www.ceceblase.com