Spring is here - and it's time to clean!

Spring 2020 has arrived, and with plenty of warmer weather and sunshine, there’s never been a better time to open up the doors and windows, shake off the winter chill and give your house a good spring clean.

The “spring clean” is an annual tradition for many – it’s a chance to give your home a deep, thorough clean (much more involved than the weekly wipe-down, mop and vacuum!) and prepare for the busier spring and summer months, filled with Christmas, holidays and visitors.

Preparing to spring clean your house? We’ve got some handy tips to help make your yearly tidy a success and ensure you reap the benefits all-year round.

• Organisation is key –  devise a “spring clean plan” so you know how you’re going to approach your clean, what areas really need a good spruce and what you’ll need to get the job done. Have all your cleaning products ready – consider placing them in a tub with handles or a basket so you can easily transport them around your house.
• Go room-by-room – approaching your house room-by-room is the most effective way to deep-clean. Use room checklists to ensure you’ve covered off all the areas that need attention. Feel free to skip items that have been recently cleaned (just dusted the window sills? No need to do them again!) and focus on the areas that have been neglected in the cooler months.
• Start from the top – for an effective spring clean, make sure you start from the ceiling and work your way down. This will ensure any dust and debris falls down first, preventing you from having to re-dust/re-clean your floors or furniture. Don’t forget the corners of your ceilings, fans and skirting boards, as these spaces tend to collect dust and cobwebs the most. Once you’ve finished the ceiling, dust your furniture and other items before vacuuming the floor – this will save you time.
• Don’t forget walls, light switches, powerpoints, doors and windows – we may not see it, but dust and debris often settle on our walls, doors, switches and windows. Grab a damp cloth and wipe down all walls, switches and doors, and steam clean all curtains and blinds.
• Freshen up carpets and rugs – carpets and rugs are a breeding ground for microscopic particles and dust. Unlike wooden or tiled floors, carpets are a lot harder to clean and get dirty much quicker. An easy way to clean your carpets and rugs is to use a carpet shampoo and vacuum regularly. You can even add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for a fresh touch.
• Don’t be afraid of your kitchen and bathroom – these two rooms often require the most attention, as bacteria tends to build up quickly, which can effect your health if not properly removed. In your kitchen, pay attention to your appliances. Now is the time to give your microwave, oven and dishwasher a good scrub, removing any grease and grime. In the bathroom, clean out your drawers and cabinets and dispose of any expired products, remove any mould or grout in your shower or tiles, and clean your drains.
• Tackle the seasonal chores – some tasks need to be done seasonally. We tend to ignore them through winter as it’s just too cold, but now is the chance to tick them off the to-do list. Outdoor chores like cleaning the BBQ, sweeping and hosing the patio and furniture, washing windows and clearing gutters should be part of your spring clean and will make your house look better for the warmer months.
• Clear out your fridge and pantry – found something in the cupboard with a 2018 expiry date? Then it’s definitely time to purge the fridge and pantry. Start by removing every item from your fridge and cupboards. Sort them into sections (e.g. condiments, dairy, spreads) and bin anything that’s gone bad or you won’t eat. Before you load everything back in, give each shelf a good wipe-down. When you return the items, group them together so you know what you’ve got and where it is.
• Add the washing machine & air conditioner to the list – keep both systems running efficiently by giving them a spring clean. Disinfect your washing machine by running a drum clean with a washing machine cleaner, and vacuum your air-conditioner’s filters – just in time for summer!

September is also a good time of year to declutter – to go through your house, room by room, and get rid of any items you no longer use. Why not donate old clothes, toys, linen and books to one of our fantastic Mudgee charity shops? Or place your unused goods for sale online? It’s an efficient, sustainable way to offload your old items – and potentially give them a brand new home. Don’t forget your “junk drawer” (every house has one!), wardrobes, make-up bag, garage and linen press – start small, do one space at a time, and throw out anything you no longer use.

Happy cleaning!