12 Oft-Forgotten Spring-Cleaning Jobs
While many people give their home a good honest clean inside and out over spring, here are some tasks that often escape the to-do list
Spring is well and truly here, and so is our desire to clean! So, you’ve turned over the bed, wiped clean your kitchen cupboards and your barbecue is looking brand new again. Job done, right? Well, it’s certainly a great start.
So while the cleaning bug is in your veins, why not give the following areas and items a going over, too. Our cleaning ideas are also kind to the environment – no toxic chemicals or smelly bleaches in sight!
So while the cleaning bug is in your veins, why not give the following areas and items a going over, too. Our cleaning ideas are also kind to the environment – no toxic chemicals or smelly bleaches in sight!
2. Clean and deodorise your microwave
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 115ml water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Place the mixture in the microwave and ‘cook’ on high for 2 minutes. Remove the bowl and simply wipe the moistened inside of the microwave clean.
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 115ml water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Place the mixture in the microwave and ‘cook’ on high for 2 minutes. Remove the bowl and simply wipe the moistened inside of the microwave clean.
3. De-scale your kettle
To de-scale your kettle, empty and pour white vinegar over the element. Leave for one hour before rinsing it with cold water. Pour fresh water into the kettle to cover the element. Boil it, then throw this water away. Done!
To de-scale your kettle, empty and pour white vinegar over the element. Leave for one hour before rinsing it with cold water. Pour fresh water into the kettle to cover the element. Boil it, then throw this water away. Done!
In the Bedroom
4. Swap pillows
Question: How long have you been sleeping on that pillow of yours? Can you recall the last time you bought a new one? If not, it’s time for a change. While you’re busy stripping the bed of those thick quilts and wool throws, think about swapping over those pillows, too. Look for pillows that contain natural materials such as down, wool, organic cotton and natural latex.
4. Swap pillows
Question: How long have you been sleeping on that pillow of yours? Can you recall the last time you bought a new one? If not, it’s time for a change. While you’re busy stripping the bed of those thick quilts and wool throws, think about swapping over those pillows, too. Look for pillows that contain natural materials such as down, wool, organic cotton and natural latex.
5. Adopt feng shui in your wardrobe
Lavender has long been considered an ancient symbol of love and cleanliness, so why not use it to wash and freshen the clothes hanging in your wardrobe? Feng shui experts also sometimes burn lavender sticks to shift negative stagnant energy in a home and create a feeling of space, so you could also give this a go.
Lavender has long been considered an ancient symbol of love and cleanliness, so why not use it to wash and freshen the clothes hanging in your wardrobe? Feng shui experts also sometimes burn lavender sticks to shift negative stagnant energy in a home and create a feeling of space, so you could also give this a go.
In the Bathroom
6. Clean your tile area
Scrub grouting between floor and wall tiles with a mixture of baking soda and water on an old toothbrush. Work the baking soda paste into the grout, then rinse off with clean water.
6. Clean your tile area
Scrub grouting between floor and wall tiles with a mixture of baking soda and water on an old toothbrush. Work the baking soda paste into the grout, then rinse off with clean water.
7. Opt for a natural drain cleaner
Clean drainage holes by rubbing with a cut lemon. And instead of resorting to bleach, flush boiling water and a handful of salt down any blocked or unpleasant-smelling drains.
Clean drainage holes by rubbing with a cut lemon. And instead of resorting to bleach, flush boiling water and a handful of salt down any blocked or unpleasant-smelling drains.
In the Office
8. Clean your keyboard
They’re a vital part of your computer or laptop but they’re notorious as a breeding ground for bacteria. Before you start cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard, ensure it is switched off. Next, dust with a soft brush before wiping over gently with a clean slightly damp cloth.
BONUS TIP: Spray the cloth with a mixture of a quarter of a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil and half a cup of water. It’ll do the trick.
8. Clean your keyboard
They’re a vital part of your computer or laptop but they’re notorious as a breeding ground for bacteria. Before you start cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard, ensure it is switched off. Next, dust with a soft brush before wiping over gently with a clean slightly damp cloth.
BONUS TIP: Spray the cloth with a mixture of a quarter of a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil and half a cup of water. It’ll do the trick.
Inside the Home
9. Wipe over door handles
Think of how many times door handles are used every day and how many germs might be lingering there. A simple way to clean and disinfect them in one go is with a cloth dampened with a little eucalyptus oil.
9. Wipe over door handles
Think of how many times door handles are used every day and how many germs might be lingering there. A simple way to clean and disinfect them in one go is with a cloth dampened with a little eucalyptus oil.
10. Give your phone a good clean
You can also clean and disinfect your phone by wiping it with a clean cloth that has a few drops of eucalyptus oil on it. It will leave it smelling good, too. While you’re on a cleaning streak, use the same solution to give all the light switches in your house a good wipe.
You can also clean and disinfect your phone by wiping it with a clean cloth that has a few drops of eucalyptus oil on it. It will leave it smelling good, too. While you’re on a cleaning streak, use the same solution to give all the light switches in your house a good wipe.
Outside the Home
11. Go heavy-duty on the windows
Chemical window cleaners are expensive and leave a strong odour and streaks. Try making your own cleaner – one that’s cheaper, smells great and is more environmentally friendly.
HERE’S HOW: Combine 300ml distilled water, 150ml white vinegar and five drops each of lemon and lavender essential oils. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto glass before wiping over with a clean cloth.
BONUS TIP: Try washing your windows on a cloudy day and not in direct sunlight – streaks are caused by the cleaning solution drying too quickly.
11. Go heavy-duty on the windows
Chemical window cleaners are expensive and leave a strong odour and streaks. Try making your own cleaner – one that’s cheaper, smells great and is more environmentally friendly.
HERE’S HOW: Combine 300ml distilled water, 150ml white vinegar and five drops each of lemon and lavender essential oils. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto glass before wiping over with a clean cloth.
BONUS TIP: Try washing your windows on a cloudy day and not in direct sunlight – streaks are caused by the cleaning solution drying too quickly.
12. Scrub the swimming pool (if you have one!)
It’s easy to clean swimming pool tiles – simply add a little bicarbonate of soda on a soft cloth and scrub, scrub, scrub.
View more pool designs
It’s easy to clean swimming pool tiles – simply add a little bicarbonate of soda on a soft cloth and scrub, scrub, scrub.
View more pool designs
TELL US
What’s your top spring-cleaning tip? Share it with fellow Houzzers in the comments section.
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Greening Your Home: The Best Natural Products to Clean Your Home With
What’s your top spring-cleaning tip? Share it with fellow Houzzers in the comments section.
MORE
Greening Your Home: The Best Natural Products to Clean Your Home With
1. Detox your oven
Some oven cleaners can be highly toxic. A little tip: bicarbonate of soda, also known as baking soda, can tackle any burned-on grime. Simply scrape off as much of the grime as you can, then mix plenty of baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste. Spread it all over the sides and bottom of the oven (make sure the oven is cold) and leave to set overnight. The next day, wipe it all down with hot water. If necessary, repeat the process.