Spring has finally arrived and the longer days and warmer temperatures mean no more excuses – it’s time to clean and clear out all the dust, grime and clutter that has collected over the winter months.
Spring cleaning is one of those concepts that doesn’t seem to make much sense. Most of us spend most of the winter days and nights at home, making this the ideal time for cleaning. However, the cold and dark seem to have a negative influence and we just don’t feel like making the effort to clean and prefer huddling by a warm fire or cuddling up under a blanket.
This means that the dust and dirt have had all winter to pile up and the arrival of spring just shines a light on how our homes have been neglected. And so the time has come to spring into action and get your house in order with these five steps to spring cleaning your home.
Quick Weekend Guide to Spring Cleaning
Commercial cleaning services, CJH Cleaning Services, say all you need is to dedicate just one weekend to sorting out your house and the rest of spring is yours to enjoy, guilt-free. Five steps to an effective spring clean include:
Step 1 – Declutter
You need to put aside an entire day to declutter but don’t spend more time on this task than you actually need. Address each pile of stuff by sorting it into three categories – keep, throw out and give away. Don’t think about it and only keep items that you actually use. Organise and store the kept items where they are easily accessible.
Get rid of the rest of the items on the same day. Chuck the throw-away category into the bin or take it to the local tip immediately. Stop off at your local charity shop to drop off the items that you want to give away.
Box up any items that you simply cannot decide on and go through them again in a couple of weeks or a month. Set a reminder on your phone so that you won’t forget.
Step 2 – Dusting and Cleaning
Now that you have rid your home of the clutter, the real cleaning can begin. Start by dusting and then wiping down and polishing every surface of your home (including the vertical ones such as walls and doors), room-by-room, top to bottom. Then vacuum the floors, skirting boards and horizontal surfaces such as blinds and curtains as well as upholstery. Wash or steam clean your floors with a suitable cleaner for the type of flooring you have in your home.
Step 3 – Windows
Clean all your windows, mirrors and picture glass and frames with a suitable glass and surface cleaner. Alternatively, use the old wives’ vinegar and water solution wiped away with newspaper for sparkling clear glass.
Step 4 – The Kitchen
The kitchen has probably suffered the greatest from cleaning neglect over winter and therefore needs the most attention when it comes to spring cleaning.
Once again, start at the top and work your way down. Clean the tops of all kitchen cabinets and appliances then the doors. Then clean each appliance individually and remember to descale if required. Clear every countertop and give the surfaces a good scrubbing as well as the walls. Clean the lower cabinets and then the kitchen sink. Last but not least, give the floors a scrub.
If your kitchen is still looking and tired, 2019 might be the year to consider a remodel.
Step 5 – The Bathroom
Your bathrooms don’t just collect dirt but are a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and other harmful microorganisms and therefore need a little extra TLC and cleaning. Remove everything and use a bleach cleaner if suitable to clean and kill all germs including the walls, floors and bathroom accessories.