Spring clean your life
Give your home a top-to-toe refresh with minimal effort using the latest cleaning products, writes
Spring is the season for bursts of energy and enthusiasm and, for some people, that means one thing: spring cleaning. “Regular cleaning keeps things hygienic and looking tidy, but you rarely get into the darkest corners,” says Elke Keeley, co-founder of cleaning company UrbanYou. “Spring cleaning addresses areas that aren’t always visible – inside cabinets, drawers, the pantry, air vents and light fittings.” Ideally you should aim to do a deep clean of your home at the change of each season, says Michael Girowal, founder of Green Clean Australia and Clean Mission. “And that includes the oven, inside the fridge and the windows.”
The satisfaction you’ll feel at the end of a good spring clean is hard to beat and it’s getting easier to achieve, thanks to a raft of products on the market that will help you power through. “Having the right tools cuts your cleaning time in half,” says Girowal. “We recommend dusting, upholstery and edging attachments for your vacuum, a grout-scrubbing brush for the shower and tiles, a squeegee for windows, plus colour-coded microfibre cloths for surfaces.” Other tools in Girowal’s deepcleaning caddy include a stiff brush for soap scum, a magic eraser for stubborn marks and a scraping blade for the oven door.
‘YOU SHOULD AIM TO DO A DEEP CLEAN OF YOUR HOME AT THE CHANGE OF EACH SEASON–THAT INCLUDES THE OVEN, INSIDE THE FRIDGE AND THE WINDOWS .’ Michael Girowal
“A three-step ladder is really useful – you’ll be surprised at what a little extra height reveals,” adds Keeley. “You’ll also need a long-handled duster to remove cobwebs from ceiling corners and to reach the top of the fridge and behind the washer and dryer.”
You’ll find automated products galore to help you target specific cleaning jobs. The latest cordless vacuums, such as Dyson’s V11 and Bosch’s Unlimited Series 8, boast longer run times than their predecessors, powerful suction and a variety
of handy accessories so you can clean anything from floors and upholstery to the inside of the car. To get windows, mirrors and glass shower doors spotlessly clean without the hassle, consider Kärcher’s battery-powered Window Vac, which sucks water away when the job is done for a streak-free finish. For a quick and thorough clean of tile or laminate floors, consider upgrading to a spray mop, such as Bona Premium Spray Mop at Howards Storage World, which allows you to release a fine mist onto the floor as you clean.
If you don’t like the idea of filling your interior with chemical cleaners, try harnessing the power of steam, which can effectively clean just about hard surface in the home, including tiles, glass, baths, showers and the stovetop. “Steam kills 99.99 per cent of all common household bacteria, giving you a hygienic and healthy living environment,” says Jo Clark, marketing manager at Kärcher. The brand’s domestic range of steam cleaners are Sensitive Choice approved, which means they’re safe for use in households with asthma and allergy sufferers.
Another way to get your home sparkling without the chemical nasties is to choose all-natural cleaning products. “There are more pre-made green cleaning solutions available than ever, making it easy to clean without the use of toxic chemicals,” says Tracey Bailey, founder of Biome Eco Stores. And they’re not just designed for the easy chores – you’ll find all-natural cleaning products to take on tough jobs such as cleaning the toilet, oven and barbecue too, she says.
When it comes to your cleaning plan of attack, Keeley recommends working room by room, starting at the far right and working left, so you don’t double up on any areas. If you have a big home and you’re tackling the job yourself, do it in two days. “In a two-storey home, focus on the upstairs on one day and downstairs another. Recruiting the whole family to help and giving the kids jobs in their own rooms can speed the process up – hopefully,” she says. “And don’t forget to put on your favourite playlist – having music in the background will make the job more bearable,” says Girowal. “When you’re done, burn some essential oils, sit down and relax – you’ll have earned it.”
‘RECRUIT THE WHOLE FAMILY AND PUT YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYLIST ON. HAVING MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND WILL MAKE THE JOB MORE BEAR ABLE .’ Michael Girowal, Green Clean Australia