Jun
30
2017
10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Every Household
It’s natural to put off cleaning and to think you should wait until the spring time to air out and spruce up your living spaces. But just because it isn’t spring doesn’t mean you can’t give your home a “spring clean”. From clearing your store room to cleaning the floors, there’s plenty to do around the house. Here are some 10 simple things you can do to get the best results.
1. Cleaning kit
The best place to start for a spring clean is to actually make sure your cleaning kit is well-stocked. If you don’t have one, head to the store and purchase a bucket or basket with a handle that can be taken from room to room when cleaning. Stock it up with all-purpose spray, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, a sponge, a toothbrush for those hard to reach and small spaces, a scrub brush, and some towels and wipes. These don’t have to be store-bought products if you’d prefer to make your own. Simply buy the spray bottles and get creative at home.
2. Clear and clean the cupboards
Go around the house and look through each and every cupboard. What’s in there that you no longer use? And yes, this includes your clothes. Go room by room and make three piles – keep, donate, and throw away. Be ruthless. And remember to clean the actual cupboards once you’ve cleared out the clutter.
3. Organise your living room
There’s always somewhere in the house that becomes known as the “dumping ground”. Whether it’s the kitchen table, the kitchen bench or the entryway table, it’s the place where mail, keys and all other belongings seem to live. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Organising your foyer ensures everything is at arm’s reach when you enter and exit your home. Plus it means all other surfaces will be kept neat and tidy.
4. Wash your pillows, throws and doonas
We often forget to wash what’s inside the covers. While the pillow slips and doona covers get washed on a regular basis, the pillows and the doonas themselves also need a clean every so often. If you can, pop them in the washing machine (only if the care instructions on the pillow say if this is ok) or take them down to a laundromat or dry cleaner that can help. Bio-home’s Delicate Laundry detergent is a very suitable product for cleaning your pillows and doonas. It’s recommended that when you wash the pillows, bed linens and blanket covers that you then put the innards out into the sun, if the weather permits. To find out more about how you should be washing your clothes, pillows, throws and doonas, visit out Complete Guide to Laundry.
5. Dust from top to bottom
While dusting generally does happen, it often goes by the wayside, especially those hard to reach places. Make sure the ceiling fans are well-dusted, the tops of cupboards and shelves and even the cornices need a good wiping now and then. A good tip is to actually use the vacuum cleaner when dusting, as this will remove the dust instead of just displacing it.
6. Clean the fridge
One of the dirtiest, messiest places in every household is inside the fridge. There are plenty of condiments, marinades and other foods that have probably been sitting in your fridge for weeks, if not months. Check these for expiry dates and throw away anything that’s not edible. Then wipe down each individual shelf and drawer thoroughly. Remember, your food gets stored in there so if it’s not clean, chances are your food isn’t that clean either. While you’re at it, consider giving the inside of your other kitchen appliances a bit of attention – think about your oven, microwave, or toaster.
7. Clean the upholstery
Fabrics absorb everything, including dirt, body oil, and germs. Use an upholstery cleaner to do the chairs and couches and a carpet cleaner to do the floors. Just remember to spot-test everything before cleaning the whole surface. Find an unobtrusive area and use the cleaner there. This helps to ensure you are comfortable with the instructions required and also ensures the treatment won’t discolour or ruin the fabric. Consider using a natural product that is less likely to be toxic to your home and doesn’t have harsh chemicals which could cause harm to your furnishings.
8. Put your best foot forward
Floors tend to get a great deal of wear and tear from shoes, children, pets, and furniture. It’s best to give them a good clean using an appropriate floor cleaner for the surface. This will help with removing dirt and the buildup of grime. Once they look fresher, help them to remain that way by applying a protective measure such as a wax, polish or sealant. If you have timber floors, make sure you move away and carpets or rugs, and remember to always follow the instructions on the product to guarantee the best outcome.
9. Make a stain chart
There’s nothing worse than going to do the laundry, finding a stain and not knowing what to do. Learn how to tackle those dirt, food and grease stains. We’ve provided a stain chart here for you to use too. Simply print it out, slide it into a plastic sleeve or laminate it, and pin it up in your laundry. Then you’re well-prepared for even the most stubborn stains.
10. Clean the walls
So often we forget about the walls in our homes. These tend to get some of the most wear and tear. Between grubby handprints and bags being thrown against them when dropping to the floor, the walls, doors and doorframes end up with scuffs and scrapes all over them. Grab a multi-surface cleaner or even some dishwashing detergent and a damp cloth and start wiping. You’ll be amazed at how spick and span the house looks afterwards.
