Tips for spring cleaning your home

Spring cleaning is a time-honoured way to banish winter blues and give your home a revamp.

Before you begin, ensure you have a rubbish-removal plan (access to a skip or trailer) to ensure the mess doesn’t simply move from inside to outside. Focus your attention on one room or area at a time, de-cluttering and tidying before giving it a thorough clean from top to bottom.

Bedrooms and Wardrobes

Spruce up your bedding and edit your wardrobe to turn your bedroom into a restful retreat.

• Wash and pack away winter bedding; replace with summer bedlinen

• Wash or replace pillows

• Move bed and vacuum underneath

• Turn, rotate and air mattress

• Empty drawers. Remove items no longer needed, wipe clean and organise remaining items using drawer containers or dividers

• Keep only what fits well, looks good and makes you feel great.

• Clean empty wardrobe then organise your clothes, placing similar items together.

Children's Bedrooms

Little people’s bedrooms can quickly become messy.

• Keep the floor clear with colourful baskets/tubs for toys, shoes, sporting equipment

• Label containers and arrange frequently used items within easy reach

• Use clear hanging shoe storage to organise small items such as hair ties and toys.

• Add a laundry basket if needed.

• Sell, donate or recycle unused or outgrown toys and clothes.

Kitchen

• Wash kitchen walls and ceiling.

• Clear out the pantry, remove expired foods and organise like items together.

• Empty and clean fridge, defrost the freezer if needed, discard expired food.

• Tidy drawers and cupboards

• Clean all surfaces including work surfaces and cupboard doors

• Clean all appliances, including the oven, cooktop, microwave and dishwasher, inside and out.

• Check for and safely dispose of old/unused cleaning products.

Bathroom

• Empty bathroom cabinets, removing expired medications and old cosmetics.

• Clean grout and replace broken seals around the shower, bath or basin.

• Check washers in taps and toilet and replace if needed.

Living Room

• If conditions allow, consider adding an indoor plant to create a breath of fresh air in what can be a busy space.

• Review your collection of books, movies, music and games. Keep only what you use and really treasure.

• If you have a fireplace, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to pick up as much dust as you can before detailing with a damp cloth.

Remember to…

• Dust blinds, light fittings, ceiling fans, floor/ceiling vents.

• Clean windows inside and out.

• Wash soft furnishings – cushions and curtains

• Clean doorknobs, light switches, trims and picture frames.

• Consider having carpets and rugs professionally cleaned.