Summer is here! Spring may have zoomed by in a bit of a haze, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch up on your cleaning. Read our tips to keep your home shipshape.
Get rid of extra clothes
It’s amazing how many people own clothes that they never wear. Having a wardrobe clear-out can actually be great fun and leaves room for new purchases.
You can give your old clothes to charity or even sell them on Internet auction sites so that you have the money to buy new things. Get a friend to help you (they might be interested in what you don’t want!) and remember: if you haven’t worn an item for a year, then chances are you probably won’t any time soon.
A clean bathroom
Dust can really collect in the bathroom, especially if you have a lot of toiletries exposed on shelves, sinks and the bath.
Try to de-clutter these areas. Throw away or recycle any empty bottles and get into the habit of giving all surfaces a daily wipe with anti-bacterial spray. You can get eco-friendly ones plus non-chemical toilet cleaners from most supermarkets these days.
If you have some spare cash, then invest in some fresh hand and bath towels, a new toilet brush and fragrant candles to combat any nasty toilet smells.
On to the kitchen
Clean out your cupboards, fridge and freezer of any out-of-date foods. Rearrange any foods that need to be stored in an airtight container – you can self-seal bags using handy snappers from kitchen stores or ‘pound’ shops. Make sure you clean down all surfaces with anti-bacterial spray before you replace food.
Don’t be tempted to ignore the tide of splashes and grubby marks on your kitchen walls, even if your worktops are super clean. Do a tour of your kitchen with a wet cloth and anti-bacterial spray. Check above the hob, on fridge and freezer doors, behind the sink, near the kettle and near dining areas.
Ovens and sinks
Cleaning the oven can be a chore, but a good clean inside and out will make it easier to maintain cleanliness throughout the year.
Protect your hands with gloves and use a scouring pad (although do check the oven manufacturer’s guidelines first to see if this is suitable) to remove any greasy or fatty marks.
Shine up your sink and drainer with surface cleaner. A little baking soda is a good natural option to help clean your drains, while ice cubes can help keep waste disposal blades sharp. You can also run an empty dishwasher cycle with baking soda to help get rid of any build up.
Beds and sofas
Dust loves to build up around your mattress and between sofa cushions. And did you know that part of this dust will actually be formed from your dead skin cells?! It’s exactly the kind of environment that dust mites love. So give them the heave-ho by stripping off the sheets and giving the mattress a good hoover. If your mattress is double sided, then also turn it over. Mattress covers are also a great investment for keeping dust and mites out. Make sure you clean these regularly, along with sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers.
Moving outside
Get friends and family together and have a good clear-out of outbuildings, such as the garage and shed. These are places where it’s easy for clutter to build up – out of sight, out of mind. If you can clear a good space you can make room for recreational items such as bicycles, camping gear, garden furniture, and sports equipment. When you want to take it all outdoors in summer, you’ll know exactly where it is.
Give you garden a helping hand by removing weeds and dead leaves, cutting the lawn and trimming hedges, borders and shrubs so that they have a new lease of life. Remember, you may need permission to trim or cut some plants or trees which are protected. If you make space, spring is also a great time to sow some seeds, ready for new blooms and even fruit and vegetables in summer.
