Expert shares when you should start spring cleaning, and where to begin in your home

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SPRING CLEANING YOUR HOME

Spring is a time to take stock of all areas of your life and start the new season afresh. But before all of that, it’s also the time to indulge in some spring cleaning because a cluttered house can lead to a cluttered mind, making it hard to focus on tasks or see things clearly – both of which you need to create a flurry of spring improvements to your mind, body and soul.

When is the best time to begin spring cleaning?

With the first day of spring falling on Wednesday 20th March, setting aside the first weekend of the new season is an ideal time to begin your big clean. The early days of spring are a great opportunity to empty out the cupboards and get rid of any clutter you may have accumulated over the winter, so that you can start the new year fresh.

Alternatively, you can also wait until the clocks go back on 31st March and begin your spring clean in April as the extra hour of daylight will allow you more time to organise your things.

Where should you begin spring cleaning?

As with any deep clean it’s best to start in the wet areas of the house as these receive the most foot traffic and take the longest to clean.

Cleaning your kitchen can feel like a mammoth task that needs to involve multiple cleaning products. However, did you know you can clean your kitchen using just three products that you will most likely already have in your household cupboards? By stocking up on white vinegar, lemons and baking soda you’ll be able to tackle your kitchen counters, taps, fridge, bin, and even your oven.

1. Oven

Begin by removing the oven racks and placing them in an empty tub. Then sprinkle baking soda over them and spray with white vinegar. This will create a foam which will work to remove any grease. Next, leave the oven racks to soak in hot water overnight before scrubbing away any grime left on the racks with a sponge or towel in the morning. Rinse with cool water and dry before placing back in the oven.

2. Countertops

Secondly the kitchen countertops, which are probably the thing in the kitchen we all clean most frequently! Try squeezing lemon juice on top of countertop stains and let it sit for a couple of minutes. As lemons are acidic don’t let this sit for more than two minutes. Add baking soda on top and use a damp cloth to scrub the stain away. However, don’t try this on a marble countertop as it could etch it.

3. Taps

Taps often develop stubborn limescale over time, especially if you live in an area with hard water. To remove limescale use a 75/25 solution of lemon juice and water. Gently scrub the solution on the tap with a soft sponge and leave this to dissolve the limescale deposits for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.

The second wet room of a home is of course the bathroom, and often this is the most dreaded room to clean, but it needn’t be. Here’s what not to miss when deep cleaning your bathroom:

1. Toilet

Get a head start by working on the toilet first. Squirt toilet cleaner around the toilet rim and leave it to work its magic while you get on with all the other jobs. Once the cleaner has been in the bowl for a minimum of 10 minutes, return with a stiff-bristled brush and give the bowl a good scrub, then flush.

To neutralise any remaining odours, pour a cup of bicarbonate of soda down the bowl (ideally, once a week) or fit an in-cistern cleaner to sanitise it after every use. Wipe the handle with disinfectant and leave it to work for five minutes before drying.

2. Mirror

A sparkling mirror is a sign of a polished bathroom. Begin by using a soft microfibre cloth to remove any lingering dust from the mirror. Then, mix a solution of vinegar and water (which can actually prevent your mirror from steaming up while you shower), and spray directly on the glass, letting it sit for a minute before wiping off.

For best results, we recommend wiping in a tight S-pattern from top to bottom, making sure to cover the entire surface area of the mirror with just one swipe.Try not to go backward on an area you’ve already wiped.

1. Radiators

Dust, fingerprints, and in some cases rust can affect your radiators and towel rails. Sweep the outside with a slightly damp dusting cloth, then, dislodge dust from the inside using a radiator brush.

If you have chrome radiators, gentle cleaning is very important as they are not as hard-wearing as stainless steel. Mild detergents like soapy water are best to use and can get a bright mirrored appearance again. To tackle any rust spots, a solution of lemon and vinegar can achieve a perfect result. Because of acid in white vinegar, the rusts will disappear easily by rubbing gently.

How splitting your tasks into lists can help keep you organised

It’s important to remember that spring cleaning your home is a marathon and not a sprint, and it doesn’t need to be completed in one sitting. Where the wet rooms of your home should be kept on top of to maintain hygiene, other chores can be completed on less busier days.

I recommend creating a list of all of the tasks you want completed as part of your spring clean. This could be going through the garage or shed, sorting your children’s toys to create a donation pile, and deep cleaning outdoor furniture ahead of the warmer weather.

Split these tasks into two lists – the quicker tasks that can be done on busier days, and the tasks that will require the whole weekend or the whole family to lend a hand.

Spring cleaning is also about reinstating organisation into your life. If you have multiple rooms of the house you want to sort through, create a schedule of which rooms should be prioritised – perhaps you want to begin with the dining room ahead of Easter dinner?