The traditional domestic spring clean dates back centuries. But if the thought of blitzing every room from top to bottom seems like an overwhelming undertaking, then check out these nifty tips and tricks for transforming your home and garden. Click or scroll on for the ultimate clean-up routine to help you prioritise housework projects and purge your living spaces. Just don't forget your duster...
If a huge clean-up fills you with dread, break the chores down into bite-size pieces you can handle. Creator of The Organised Mum Method, Gemma Bray, takes on a more traditional housework structure with a weekly rota that works. Choose a room every day and give it just half an hour of devoted time. Before long it will be part of your daily living routine and the dreaded spring clean won't take over your life—it may even be fun.
Before you begin a big clean up make sure you are well-prepared for the job. Do a stock check of cleaning products you already own and replenish the cupboard with what's missing. As well as conventional chemical products, natural supplies work well and are kinder for the environment. Your green cleaning basket should contain lemon juice, distilled white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, salt and olive oil. Don't forget to MOT your vacuum and refresh brooms, dustpans and brushes and duster rags.
It's so easy to amass duplicates of make-up, medicines and other bathroom essentials. Go through your bathroom storage and make-up bags and throw out anything that's out of date, empty or no longer of use. Don't forget to check the use-by dates on any medical supplies you might have. Once you've completed your purge, get organising and create a sleek, structured space for all your essentials that any 'cleanfluencer' would be proud to show off.
Our carpets really get the brunt of it over the year, with endless feet trampling in dirt, pet shedding and accidental spills. If your carpets are looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to give them a good shampoo. For the task, you can hire a carpet cleaning machine, or buy one to keep, before choosing a good quality carpet shampoo with built-in stain protection. With a little work now, you can keep your flooring looking fabulous until next year.
After muddy winter walks and trips out in the rain, your four-legged friend might be in need of a bath. But what about their bed? Often overlooked, dog beds can soon become smelly, so take a look at the cleaning instructions on the label and give yours a refresh. You might also have accumulated a staggering amount of dog toys, so take a moment to have a clear out, throwing away any that have seen better days or that don't get played with very often. The same applies to any pungent cat beds and play toys!
Create an open and welcoming hallway by undertaking a thorough clean and declutter. Put away winter outwear until autumn, shed outdated letters from the mail rack, vacuum out the shoe storage and replace the worn-out doormat with a new and colourful version.
It's always important to keep your home clean and germ-free. Give your kitchen and bathroom surfaces (including floors and tiles) a good clean with hot soapy water or sugar soap to remove grease and dirt. Follow up with a steam mop, disinfectant or diluted bleach to get rid of any nasties. Move mobile kitchen islands, tables and storage units and sweep out any forgotten areas. Wipe down cupboard fronts and kickboards and freshen up your splashback with a grouting pen if needed.
The new season brings with it lighter evenings and warmer days, so it's time to pack away the winter knits and restock your wardrobes with lighter clothes. Vacuum-pack the bulky items to maximise storage space and then try to arrange your new summer wardrobe in a way that's practical and attractive to look at. You might choose to order your items by colour or perhaps group them by occasion.
As well as large appliances, give smaller kitchen staples an MOT too. Decrumb and clean the toaster, and don't forget to descale the kettle and coffee machine. This is also a great opportunity to clean and restock tea caddies and dry food jars. Don't forget to sanitise overlooked appliance handles and buttons, too.
Cosy nights at home over the winter will have taken their toll on your sofas and armchairs, so now's the time to give your seating a good deodorise and clean. If you're able to, remove and machine-wash sofa cushion covers, or you can vacuum them and sponge any stains. Give them a good airing outside in the sunshine, and beat the cushions to clear out dust and dander. If your living room is in need of a lift, you can always add a few new cushion covers in bold hues to refresh the space.
As the mantra goes, a tidy house means a tidy home, and creating a storage place for everything can really help to keep things organised throughout the year. After you've completed a thorough declutter, invest in beautiful stacking storage boxes that can clear away any chaos and clutter in an instant.
All that winter comfort cooking will have no doubt taken its toll on the oven and hob. Make your larger appliances sparkle again in preparation for cooking sizzling summer dishes. A thorough clean will banish grease and food residue, which can lead to smoke and unpleasant odours. As well as cleaning the inside of your appliances don't forget the outside, and be sure to clean the temperature knobs and cooking plates in warm soapy water. Wiping down stainless steel fixtures with olive oil creates a shiny finish.
A good cleaning checklist should require you to use every extension your vacuum cleaner has to offer. It's surprising how much dust can accumulate in forgotten places hidden from vision. So, click on that crevice attachment and hoover up any dust that's accumulated on top of doors and door frames, wood panels and high open shelves, as well under sofa cushions, bed frames and kitchen kickboards. Don't forget to hoover behind the radiators too.
As well as a pre-Christmas toy tidy, a springtime toy clear out will prevent toys from taking over your home. Put broken toys in the recycling bin where possible and donate games that have been outgrown. If saying goodbye to your little ones' toys is a problem, why not store some in the loft first? If they haven't mentioned them in a month or so it's safe to throw them out without leading to tantrums.
Grease and scuff marks are a common problem in pale, neutral rooms. Always have spare labelled paint pots in the right shade for each room so any marks can be easily covered. High-traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms and kitchens will need special attention. A sugar soap washdown is essential to remove stubborn grease marks before painting.
Lift up rugs to vacuum and remove dirt from underneath. If you can, have them dry-cleaned or hire a professional carpet cleaner. If neither of these is an option, take them outside and give them a good beating with a tennis racket, broom or anything you can get your hands on (you may want to wear a mask to stop you from breathing in all the dust). Spot-clean any stains or even run the hose over it if it's made of a suitable material, such as cotton or synthetic fibres. Finally, use a spray-on fabric freshener with a clean fragrance.
You only have to take a look at #taptotidy on social media to see there is nothing more satisfying than an organised linen cupboard. Start with plenty of shelf space and then use easy-to-reach storage baskets to create compartments for your fabulously folded sheets and towels. A colour-coordinated theme is key to an Instagram-worthy finish.
Larders and pantries are on many kitchen design wish lists, but it requires work to keep them coordinated and orderly. First, remove everything and clean the shelves. Discard any products that have passed their use-by date. Group together tins, dry ingredients, cereals, condiments and herbs and spices, using baskets, boxes and labels so it's easy to keep track of your stock. Finally, make sure all labels are facing outwards.
Kitchen sink, bath and shower drains can kick up a nasty stink so now's the time to run a heavy-duty cleaner or natural alternative through the pipework. Any accumulated hair or food will need to be removed. Then you can try Mrs Hinch's odour-banishing drain recipe, which consists of bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar, natural lemon and boiling water.
Streamlined shutters are a stylish trend, but the slatted design is a real dust magnet! A blind brush is a clever time-saving duster that has three sleeves that slot in between the bars. A crevice vacuum attachment should also work well on shutters, as well as doing a good job on regular curtains and blinds, too.
Revamp your shelves and make some space with a good clean and declutter. Filter out any books that no longer hold sentimental value by passing them on to friends or giving them to charity, as well as recycling magazines that are now out of date. Try not to overload surfaces with accessories; stick to displaying items in threes for a clean and balanced look.
Pack away your warmer blankets and bring out the lower tog duvets and throws. If you can, put them in the washing machine before you dress your bed, but if not give them an airing for an instant refresh. While they are airing, vacuum and turn your mattress over and open your bedroom windows. Leave your mattress uncovered for at least a few hours; airing can help to reduce germs and bacteria.
Clear away clutter from countertops and revive your kitchen worktops with a specialised cleaner. Polish up granite to restore its natural shine and give natural oak an oil to renew its finish and protect it from any stains.
As with windows, mirrors make a huge difference to light levels in homes as they reflect light and maximise the sense of space. Professional cleaning service MollyMaid suggests removing hairspray, watermarks and greasy fingerprints with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth, before spraying the mirror with a cleaning solution. To finish, use a microfibre cloth for a streak-free shine.
Whilst linens are being laundered or updated, move the bed and take down any pendant light shades. Light bulbs get changed regularly but how often do you clean your lampshades? Make sure the electricity is turned off, then remove the shade to dust or vacuum, giving it a sponge clean if necessary and leaving it to dry before reattaching. Repeat on bedside lamps and bases.
Put away the cosy bedding and bring out lighter and more refreshing cotton linens. Soft colours and pretty floral prints will make your bedroom feel sunny, but anything in a pale or bright colour will lift the room for the new season ahead. Spring nights can still be chilly though so do add a warm throw or quilt on top until summer arrives.
Once your house is cleaned and decluttered, you might feel inspired to go for a full redecorating project. If that seems a bit daunting after all that cleaning, bring in some seasonal flowers and foliage to fill your sparkling home with a fresh fragrance. Why not create a pretty wreath for the hallway to mark the new season?
The quickest way to make a room feel ready for the new season is to clean and open the windows, letting the fresh air and new light in. A window vac is an easy and effective gadget for streak-free panels, or you can simply use vinegar and newspaper for a streak-free finish.
Don't forget the outside, too! Over the course of winter, pathways, patios and driveways become riddled with grime and weeds. So, before your garden is filled with friends soaking up the sunshine, tackle the issue by investing in a pressure washer. These machines make removing dirt and moss incredibly easy thanks to their powerful water jet. Just ensure you clear the area before you start and sweep away any loose debris. and don't forget to wear goggles to protect your eyes. If you don't want to buy a washer, you can hire one instead.
Weather permitting, it's likely you'll soon be inviting family and friends around for alfresco meals, so there's really never been a better time to deep-clean the barbecue. Whether you have an amazing outdoor kitchen setup or a small coal-fired barbie, it will have been gathering dust and cobwebs since last year. Grab a bucket of warm soapy water and get to work—just think of the reward of freshly chargrilled food when you're done. If there's any stubborn rust, follow this clever hack shared by Home Essentials: get out the ketchup (yes, really), and simply apply a small amount to any affected areas and leave for a few minutes. Then wipe away for dazzling results!
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