Spring is a time of renewal and cleansing, making it the perfect season for deep-cleaning and breathing some life into your home 

For some people, their home’s annual spring clean is a joyous endeavour. It’s a grand task that doubles as a wonderful symbolic act to help shed all the weight and worry of winter and step into the warmer, brighter months ahead with a clean slate – and a spotless house or apartment. For the young homemakers who are less inclined to see the fun in brandishing a mop and a bucket of soapy water, or for those readers who may lack the spare time, we are here to make your life just a little bit easier with advice and effective tips for cleaning each area of your home until it shines. Let’s get to it!

KITCHEN HACKS

• Cast-iron pans can be an ordeal to clean properly. Dip into the pantry, and reach for your olive oil and table salt for some help. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Once it is heated, add three tablespoons of salt, and water. Remove from the heat and scour, then pour out the solution and wipe dry with a clean cloth. 

• Stainless steel appliances and grills look their best when they are sparkling clean. Use a blend of cream of tartar and lemon juice on your oven rack, kettle or toaster. Allow the cleaning agent to sit for a few minutes, then wipe away with a towel.

LIVING ROOM REFRESH

• This is the quick hack for cleaning your blinds with minimal effort and maximum effect. You will need kitchen tongs, a generous splash of white vinegar and an old pair of socks. Yes, we did say socks. Slip the socks over the tongs and secure with an elastic band or hair tie. Dip the tongs into a solution of white vinegar and water, and you’re good to go.

• Few things top the feeling of opening the doors of your home and being greeted by a wonderful welcoming fragrance. If you’re not one for the smell of incense, buy a few scented candles and place them around your home. Our favourite way to rid your home of unwanted winter wafts? Fresh-cut flowers! A big vase of perfumed blooms will smell and look amazing.

BATHROOM BASICS

• Grout is one of those things that we avoid cleaning. And, inevitably, grime builds up until we can’t deny that horrid linear grid of dirt. Use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (readily available at your supermarket or local pharmacy), baking powder and warm water to form a paste. A worn toothbrush is the ultimate tool for getting into those hard-to-reach grooves.

• Potentially harmful germs and bacteria have a nasty way of gathering in unexpected places. When the time comes to tackle your spring clean, it’s important to inspect those innocuous spaces. Case in point: the shower head. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it around the base of the shower head using an elastic band. Let it sit for a few hours. The acid in the vinegar will lift any dirt that may have built up over time.

STAIN NO MORE! 

• Coffee marks have long been known as one of the most difficult stains to remove. But you no longer have to cry over spilt java. Add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid to two cups of cool water and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Apply the solution directly to the stained area, and voila! 

• Toothpaste can help you rid your precious silverware of tarnish. Use it on cutlery and taps or to buff out any unpleasant watermarks found on wood.

MAGIC CARPET 

• Shaving cream is one of the most effective formulas for removing a carpet stain. Apply directly to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, then blot the excess away with a dry, clean cloth.

• If you’re a pet owner, a carpet deep-clean will be needed every month or so. If you don’t think a thorough vacuum will adequately remove pet hair, use a lint roller to pick up any leftover fluff. 

Words by Elle Katzeff
Photography: Courtesy Images