What springs to mind when you think of spring? We’ll bet that it’s warmer temperatures, lighter evenings and birds singing in the trees – oh, and let’s not forget, the dreaded spring clean…
Spring is a great time to give your home a good clean and freshen it up. After a long winter spent inside, it is essential to clean up any dust, dirt, and extra stuff that may have built up. Even though it may seem like a big job, cleaning your house in the spring can help your physical and mental health in many ways.
Although deep cleaning and decluttering is nobody’s favourite job to do, it can help you to rejuvenate yourself. We don’t know about you – but we’d much rather get the arduous task of blitzing the house, top to bottom, done now before the scorching summer temperatures are upon us!
Often, when it comes to spring cleaning, not everything can be done in a day. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a plan and break things down into manageable chunks. Much like anything else, many hands make light work so it’s worth asking someone to help as well. Perhaps you could focus on the downstairs whilst they clear up the rooms upstairs?
Here we offer just a few more suggestions on how to freshen up your home, ready for the months ahead.
Top tips for spring cleaning your house
1. Declutter – throw out anything that you don’t need or use
Decluttering is the process of removing unwanted items from your home to make it more streamlined and ordered. It could seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve collected a lot of things over the years. However, decluttering has many advantages, and getting rid of things you no longer use or need is one of the most crucial parts of the procedure.
Assessing each item in your home to determine whether it is functional or enjoyable is the first step in decluttering. It’s time to eliminate an object if it is useless or doesn’t make you happy anymore. This can include anything from outdated furniture and décor to sentimental things to old clothing and assets.
If you’ve got clothes or shoes in your wardrobe that no longer fit or get worn, stop holding on to them! Make two separate piles – one to keep and one to donate. You can then donate items to friends, family or your local charity shop.
If you have any unworn items (still with tags), or toys that are in immaculate condition, you might consider selling them on websites, such as Vinted, Depop or eBay, and making a little bit of cash instead of leaving them to collect dust in your wardrobe or go to waste. Letting go will not only free up valuable space but will also make you feel good about yourself.
2. Deep clean every room and don’t forget the kitchen cupboards!
Our best advice is to focus on one room at a time and clean behind items that haven’t moved in a while – i.e. the sofa, TV stand, bookcase, oven, dishwasher, fridge, bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, etc.
When you clean your house, you need to do a deep cleaning to ensure every room is clean and free of dust, dirt, and grime. This can take a lot of time, but making a clean and healthy place to live is well worth it. One of the most critical parts of a deep clean is to pay attention to every room in your home, even places like the kitchen cabinets that are often forgotten.
The chances are you’ll open the kitchen cupboards to see what you need when writing a shopping list, right? But when was the last time you actually emptied them out and thoroughly wiped the shelves, doors and handles? If you can’t remember, grab your washing basket and place the items from the cupboard in here. Hence, it is important to pay extra attention to the cabinets in the kitchen because they can collect dirt, grease, and food particles over time. Start by emptying each cabinet and wiping the inside with a mixture of warm water and light soap. This will help eliminate any dust or dirt that built up over time.
Take the time to clean every item you want to put back in the cabinet. This includes things like dishes, machines, and tools. Scrub each item with light soap and warm water, paying extra attention to any hard-to-reach spots. Once each item has been cleaned well, rinse it with warm water and let it dry before putting it back in the closet. Lastly, take some time to organize your kitchen cabinets so that everything has a place. This will make it easier to find what you need when you need it and make it easier to clean and keep your cupboards in the future. Make sure that you organize all food items in date order – starting with products with the longest shelf-life at the back and those that need using up first at the front.
3. Pay attention to your blinds
Blinds are great for keeping unwanted light and attention out but can also become the focal point in your room. However, blinds are often forgotten when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your home, but they can collect dust and dirt over time, affecting the air quality in your living area. So, if you want to keep your home clean and healthy, you must pay attention to your blinds.
Depending on what they are made of, there are different ways to clean blinds. If your blinds are made of wood, you should avoid using water on them because it can cause them to bend or break. Use a soft cloth or a cleaning brush to remove any dust or dirt that has built up. You can also use a wood cleaner made just for blinds to get rid of any spots or dirt that won’t come off. For blinds made of plastic or vinyl, you can wipe each down with a solution of light soap and warm water. Make sure to dry the blinds well after cleaning them so that water doesn’t damage them or cause mold to grow.
If your blinds are filthy or have a lot of dust and dirt on them, you may need to take them down and soak them in warm water and gentle soap in the bathtub. This will let you carefully clean each slat and ensure they are free of dirt and grime. That said, it’s important that you routinely clean them to keep them in top shape for years to come.
As a general rule of thumb when cleaning blinds, always use a clean cloth and avoid using cleaning detergents where possible to eliminate the risk of damage. Most roller blinds and vertical blinds can be wiped down with a damp cloth whilst you can wipe and rinse blinds that are made from PVC, waterproof or flame-resistant fabrics. Meanwhile, you should use a dry cloth for wooden blinds to keep as much moisture away as this can cause warping.
If you don’t have blinds already or want to refresh your coverings, take a look at the extensive range available at Galaxy Blinds. They have been supplying and fitting made to measure blinds in St Helens for many years and have an assortment of colours, designs and styles to choose from.
4. Give yourself a break
Although you might have a to-do list as long as your arm, you need to take time for yourself. So, pop the kettle on and make yourself a cuppa – you could even treat yourself to a biscuit if you have any stashed away in the cupboard. Go on…you deserve it!
Cleaning and keeping your home may require a lot of time and energy, especially if you are trying to give each room a deep clean and pay attention to every detail. It is essential to keep in mind that it’s okay to take a break every now and then. Taking a break doesn’t mean you must stop cleaning your house entirely. Instead, it means taking a step back and giving yourself time to rest and recharge so that you can get back to the job feeling motivated and refreshed.
Prepare a cleaning schedule that includes time to rest and relax. For example, you may deep clean your house throughout the weekend, but give yourself an hour or two in the afternoon to rest and do something you enjoy. In addition, you can also give yourself a break by hiring a professional cleaning service to do some of the work. This can take some of the pressure off you so you can focus on other things, like work or family.
And once you’ve cleaned everywhere and everything, you can enjoy the feeling of a comfortable and organised space and look forward to making plans for the summer, when hopefully the restrictions will have eased even more so.