Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, so it’s no wonder that spring cleaning has been a tradition. It just makes you feel good anticipating the new summer season!
Spring cleaning goes beyond our usual scrubbing, vacuuming, dusting, and mopping routine. This is the perfect opportunity to sort out clutter and clear – making space for the new. Since spring cleaning can be quite an undertaking, the following tips should make the process a whole lot easier and fun.
To avoid a burnout or worse losing interest, work on one room at a time and give yourself ample time. You’ll feel inspired and motivated as each room is transformed.
Start by walking through your home and making a list of all the rooms, not forgetting areas like the garage, shed and laundry room. Take note of the sections that you don’t clean on a regular basis, like the walls, cupboards, light fittings, curtains and windows.
Thoroughly vacuum and wipe all the surfaces, pictures, lampshades and the upholstered furniture, which can be rearranged for a fresh feeling.
Be very careful when dusting the chandeliers, wall sconces and light bulbs. Reorganise and wipe out your storage cabinets and bookshelves.
Remove all the curtains and sheers to be washed or dry cleaned. Wipe the pelmets, which collect dust and cobwebs and wash the interior windows as well as the windowsills.
Vacuum all your area rugs thoroughly, then organise for them to be professionally cleaned or hang them on the line and beat the dust from them with a small broom.
The walls are easy to clean if you use a sponge mop and clean from the bottom up, as drips are far easier to clean on a wet surface. If your rooms are tiled you can add a few drops of lemon essential oil to hot water and mop thoroughly for a spotlessly fresh affect.
In your kitchen it’s best to avoid unnecessary cleaning by working from the top down and inside to the outside.
To start vacuum the tops of the cabinets, stove vents and fridge coils. Remove all the contents from the cabinets, then scrub and wipe inside and out. Recycle and throw away all the items you won’t use or eat and then pack everything back in the order that suits you.
Remove all the contents from your fridge and throw away the never-used jars and containers of food. Clean the interior and soak the shelving with baking soda, mixed in water to remove any bad odours.
Wash all your appliances and then shine up all the stainless steel, by using a few drops of vegetable oil on a paper towel.
Lastly, a scrub brush is great for removing all the scum and grime from the floors or tiles, then wipe clean with a damp mop.
Now for the bathroom – an old toothbrush is ideal for scrubbing around the taps and for removing mildew on the tiles.
Your shower curtain can also collect mildew if not wiped down on a regular basis, so now is the time to scrub it. You can use bicarbonate soda to clean the drains and toilets as it is great for removing stains and bad odours.
Finally wipe out the cabinets and throw away all your expired medicines and cosmetics.
The bedrooms should be stripped of all the bed linen and washed. It’s advisable to vacuum and lightly spray the mattresses and bases with a herbal mist or fabric freshener. If you can, rotate and flip the mattress.
Clean and reorganise your cupboards and drawers, removing clothes that you haven’t worn for a while and give them to a charity.
Once you have finished your house and you’ll feel refreshed and lighter. There will be no more clutter and dust build up – allowing you the freedom to enjoy the season ahead without allergies and complaints.
Use your magic to inspire your husband and children to spring clean the garage and storage room with a little help from you of course.
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