cleaning you home | Make it and Mend it

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to happen in the Spring

Getting down and dirty with the cleaning can actually be as effective as having a therapy session! It’s all about getting started… So here are a few tips to get you motivated. You have nothing to lose (except the fluff under the bed).

1. Re-frame the problem – rather than seeing cleaning as a problem, look on it as a chance to clear things out and reclaim your home. Letting new light and life into your space.
2. Make sure you are dressed appropriately – wear loose, comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
3. Prepare in advance – make sure you have all the cleaning products and utensils ready to hand.
4. Put on some music – It is a well known fact that putting on some upbeat music will encourage performance and motivation. So find your favourite tracks, crank up the volume and dance your way through the spring cleaning.
5. Organise a treat for when you finish – working towards a piece of cheesecake or a glass of wine does wonders for the motivation!

Getting down to business

•   Prioritize, if your time is limited decided what is most important.
•   Delegate, get the entire family involved.
•   Make a checklist, when a job is completed, tick it off – you’ll feel as though you are really accomplishing something.
•   Take all your cleaning tools with you into each room to avoid unnecessary trips back and forth – you can buy great hold all baskets that will fit in all your utensils.
•   Always make sure that you have a black bag with you.
•   Always start at the top of the room and work your way down.
•   Always clean top to bottom. When you dust, start at the top and work down.
•   Eliminate clutter. Find homes for objects that aren’t meant to be on display. An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn with odds and ends.
•   A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting overnight to absorb musty odors, then vacuum in the morning.

Cleaning windows
Wash windows on a cloudy, but not rainy day. Working in direct sunlight causes streaks, because the cleaning solution dries before you can wipe it off. Vacuum the frames and sills. If the windows are very dirty, you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar per gallon of warm water.
Cleaning windows
To clean, use a cloth dipped in the solution to wash down the pane of glass. Using either a squeegee or cloth, use horizontal strokes on the inside and vertical on the outside so you know which side the streaks are on.

To dry the windows, simply use a wad of crumpled newspaper. This works just as well as expensive paper towels and doesn’t leave streaks.

Top tip– don’t forget to wear rubber gloves to keep your hands free of ink

Woodwork and doors
Having freshly cleaned woodwork and doors revives tired decoration and makes a great impression.
For a great shine on light coloured wood, simply use a bit of lemon juice in a quart of warm water and then rinse off and dry with a soft towel.
For darker woods, soak five tea bags in a quart of warm water. This not only covers scratches, but leaves a good shine at the same time. Dry with a clean soft cloth for a buffed look.

Polishing Furniture
The problem with carved wooden furniture is that polish tends to build up in the crevices of the wood. The best way to remove this is to mix one cup of water and one cup of vinegar. Dip a soft cloth in the mixture and wring out before wiping the furniture. Dry immediately with another soft, dry cloth.

Top Tip A good polishing tip is to dip an old toothbrush into furniture polish and brush lightly.

Getting rid of candle wax
• Dried wax on wooden floors can be removed by softening the wax with a hair dryer, then removing with paper towels. Wash the spot down with a combination of vinegar and water.
• For spilled wax on carpets and upholstery, put a brown paper bag over the dried wax and run a hot iron over it. The bag will absorb the hot wax.

Indoor plants
Don’t forget your plants! Clean, healthy plants dress a room. There’s nothing worse than seeing thick dust on leaves. You can clean small plants in the kitchen sink, and larger ones enjoy a shower in the bathroom.

Allergy-wise cleaning

If you or anybody in your family suffers from allergies, cleaning your house is a vital part of keeping the family healthy.
Vacuuming is essential to keep down dirt and dust
Damp dusting – use a damp cloth to wipe all surfaces – the top of doors and door frames, picture rails, skirting boards and shelves etc.
Freezing – if your allergic child has a favourite toy, make a point of putting it in the freezer once a week. The act of freezing the toy kills off the house dust mites.
Wash bedding at high temperatures to kill off house dust mite.