Read on for some tips and practical advice to help you tackle spring-cleaning like a pro, leaving no nook or cranny untouched.
It is time to say goodbye to winter’s chill and welcome the season of renewal. There is no better time to breathe new life into your home than now.
Kitchen
When something is not constantly in your line of sight, it becomes easier to forget about it – that is why most of us end up with rotting veg lurking in our fridges and crispers or expired goods in our pantries. So, here are some tips for making sure your kitchen is not only clean, but efficiently stocked, too.
What to do:
- Chuck all expired foods in the bin and donate any safe foods or ingredients you are not using to a friend, your helper or nanny.
- Install a lazy Susan or turntable in your fridge and cupboards so you have easy access to items.
- Remember the rule of FIFO (first-in, first-out) when it comes to food storage. Store older food products in the front so you use them up first.
- Stock foods you use the most at eye level.
- Keep an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to eliminate odours and replace it every 3-4 months.
- Free up space in your fridge by keeping some fresh fruit and veg on the counter, such as nectarines, tomatoes, peaches, pears and avos.
- To remove grease and grime from your splashback, stovetop and cabinetry, make a mixture of 1/2 cup warm water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice and a few drops of your a fresh-smelling essential oil such as orange or lemon. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz the affected areas. Leave to sit for a few minutes before wiping away.
Also read: Four Savvy Home Decorating Ideas for a Tight Budget
Bathroom
Like the kitchen, this is an area that needs to be kept clean 24/7. Here are a few tips and hacks to make everyday cleaning even easier:
- Get your glass shower doors and mirrors sparkling with this home-made solution: in a bucket, mix 4 cups warm water, 2 cups white vinegar and 1/2 cup dishwashing liquid. This mix cuts through grime and dirt so easily and leaves your windows sparkling. You can either rinse off the mix or use a squeegee to remove it.
- If you have a shower curtain, be sure to chuck it in the wash, and clean the curtain rail itself.
- A handy tip for cleaning those hard-to-reach corners and grouting in the shower is to use an old toothbrush and some bleach. Make sure to use gloves!
- Drains are often overlooked when cleaning the bathroom. Make a solution of boiling water, baking soda and white vinegar and pour down to clean and deodorise.
Living room
Here are a couple of things to zone in on when it comes to cleaning the lounge area:
- If you have carpets or rugs, make sure to chuck them in the wash, or get them professionally cleaned. The same goes for curtains – they harbour a lot of dust, pet dander and pollen, which can cause allergies.
- Wipe down all your living room appliances as well as things that are often touched, such as TV remotes. Think of all the greasy fingers that touch those buttons!
- Do not neglect your houseplants! Dust on their leaves block sunlight, inhibiting their ability to photosynthesise. To get beautifully glossy leaves, spray them with a diluted mixture of milk and water. Allow the leaves to absorb the milk for approximately 30 minutes, then wipe off the excess milk with a soft, damp cloth.
Bedroom
Changing your bed linen is par for the course when it comes to the bedroom, but here are a few more things to consider:
- Go through your linen cupboard and get rid of any linen that is past its prime.
- When stripping your bed, do not neglect your mattress. You can hire a professional carpet cleaning service to deep-clean it or do it yourself: Connect the upholstery attachment to your vacuum and vacuum both sides of the mattress. Then, add a few drops of soothing essential oil, such lavender or ylang-ylang to some bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle this over the mattress and leave for one hour, then vacuum again.
- Consider covering your newly cleaned mattress with a mattress protector, which will increase the lifespan of your mattress by protecting it from stains and preventing the accumulation of allergens.
Words: Emma Follet-Botha
Photography: Unsplash
Also read: How To Achieve a Luxurious Bedroom
