The perfect time to clean up your act
Words of wisdom for keeping the home spick and span in the summer sunshine
Much as we welcome warmer months, long sunny spells and summer holidays, jobs around the house shouldn’t be neglected. When temperatures soar, taking advantage of longer, lighter days can reward you tenfold in the cleaning stakes – and with Covid still kicking around, maintaining good hygiene in the home is still really important.
Here, experts share their top tips on how to keep things spick and span in the sunshine…
1. Clean your windows
‘As windows are often opened daily during the summer, it’s a good time to clean around the seals, mechanisms and sills,’ says Sarah Dempsey, cleaning expert at MyJobQuote. 2. Clear out kitchen units Dempsey says summer is the perfect time to clean out kitchen cupboards and pantries.
She says to take everything out, wipe over the shelves and bin anything that isn’t edible. Then put everything else back, with the food that needs eating first at the front.
3. Clean around appliances
Dempsey says: ‘Fridges, freezers and washing machines stand on feet, so dust, dirt and food debris tends to find its way underneath.’
If you don’t fancy pulling heavy units out, she says to use a flat, long-reach duster.
4. Deep clean the washing machine
Laura Marsden, UK marketing manager at Marigold, says: ‘You should leave the door and drawer open after washes to let the machine air and dry out, to stop it from getting smelly.’
5. Move bedroom furniture
‘Moving bedroom furniture out so you can dust and vacuum thoroughly will keep on top of pollen and other allergens,’ notes Dempsey.
6. Wash ALL bedding
Karen Innes, NPD manager at Slumberdown, says: ‘The warmer months can activate allergies, so making sure your duvet and pillows are fresh and clean, and that you have a cool, calm and comfortable place to sleep, is key to getting the best night’s rest possible.’
7. Clean your radiators
‘Due to the amount of dust that builds up over time, it should be imperative to do a thorough clean of your radiators during summer, when they’re used less,’ says Jessica Steele, heating expert at designer radiator specialists BestHeating. 8. Clean rugs and runners Dempsey says: ‘Small cotton rugs can usually be machine washed on a low temperature. Hire a carpet cleaner to tackle wool and synthetic rugs.’
9. Deep clean your bins
Dempsey says use hot water and disinfectant to wash your bin and pop it out in the sun.