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…
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
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.
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. Then either run a bowl of hot soapy water and don your rubber gloves, or use anti-bacterial wipes, and wash your cupboards inside and out before putting everything back. Make sure that you organise 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. 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!
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.