With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to give your house a spruce. From kitchen cabinets to bathroom tiles, sinks to bedding, there’s plenty to give a deep clean. So, roll up your sleeves and get started with our spring cleaning tips!
Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Disinfect the dishwasher
Few appliances work harder than the dishwasher, so it deserves a little TLC. While it’s not the most pleasant task, it’s important to keep the dishwasher clean so it can keep your dishes sparkling in return! To clean the inside, pop some baking soda on a damp sponge and use it to get rid of any food stains. Then, run a cycle with a specially designed product from the supermarket to kill bacteria. Alternatively, you can place a cup of white vinegar in the upper rack and run a hot-water cycle, or sprinkle baking soda across the bottom and do the same.
Scrub the sink
It’s a horrible thought, but if you don’t keep on top of cleaning your kitchen sink it could harbour more bacteria than your toilet seat! To sterilise the sink, clean it with good old soap and water first, then spray some vinegar over it and let it dry, before wiping away. To bring the sparkle back to your sink, line it with paper towels and soak them with bleach. Let them sit for half an hour, before throwing away and rinsing the sink with water. Don’t do this on coloured sinks, though, as it may cause discolouration – use a detergent instead.
Cleanse the cabinets
As one of the most frequently used rooms in the house, your kitchen cabinets can gather grease and grime quickly. Mixing up your own cleaning solution is key to cleaning your cabinets properly. Mix a cup of detergent with two cups of warm water and scrub your kitchen cabinets to remove any dirt. This method is particularly useful for removing stubborn grease. For tougher stains, creating a paste using baking soda and water to wipe the cabinets clean.
Bathroom Cleaning Tips
Treat the tiles
Microfibre cloths are key to cleaning bathroom tiles. There’s no need to invest in a steam cleaner; simply make your own cleaning solution by diluting vinegar and baking soda in water, then spray onto your tiles. Leave for a few moments, before wiping off with a damp microfibre cloth. If you’d like to restore the shine to your tiles, bleach is your best friend. It acts as a disinfectant, so removes stubborn stains while bringing the gleam back, particularly to white tiles.
Tackle the toilet
Probably the most dreaded task, cleaning the toilet is a necessary evil. Stock up on all the supplies you need, including toilet bleach, limescale remover, anti-bacterial spray, paper towels and a trusty toilet brush! Start by lifting the toilet seat and squeezing the bleach around the rim and sides. Let it trickle down, before scrubbing with the toilet brush and leaving to soak in. Meanwhile, close the lid and give it a generous coating with anti-bacterial spray, then wipe away with paper towels. Give your toilet bowl another scrub with the brush before flushing – use the flush to clean the brush too. Use limescale remover to tackle the more difficult areas, without scratching the enamel.
Bedroom Cleaning Tips
Remember the mattress
While washing your bedding, it’s time to pay attention to your mattress. No matter how many layers you may have on your bed, it’s still important to clean what’s underneath it all. Start with vacuuming the mattress to get rid of dirt and crumbs. Then, treat any stains with a non-toxic solution from the supermarket or with a homemade paste of lemon juice and salt. Apply the mixture to the stain and leave it for up to an hour, before wiping off with a clean cloth. Finally, let it air for a good while before putting all those layers back on.
Bathe your bedding
Dirt and dust can accumulate quickly on our bedding, as it’s a place where we spend a lot of time. In an ideal world, we should wash our bedsheets every two weeks. It’s important to wash your bedding on a low setting, as heat will shrink the fibres and weaken the material. Turn your bedsheets and duvet inside out to help preserve the colour and keep fitted sheets in shape. Use a good quality laundry detergent and a little fabric softener for the best results.
