A fresh START

Your guide to spring-cleaning your house… and your life!

The mornings – and evenings – are getting lighter, and there’s a real feeling of a new beginning in the air.

Spring is just around the corner and so, too, is that wonderful burst of energy we get as we throw off the shackles of our winter hibernation and look forward to summer.

First, though, we have to do something about the house. Over the cold, dark months, a build-up of dust and grime is hardly noticeable, but it becomes all too obvious in the fresh light of a new season.

So, a spring clean is called for, to make sure the house is sparkly fresh from top to bottom.

But after we’ve washed the windows, cleaned the floors, dusted and polished to our heart’s content, it seems there’s always something that’s been forgotten.

So, we’ve put together a handy guide of what’s commonly overlooked so that when you’re finished, you can put your feet up instead of starting again.

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

Light switches and plug sockets slowly get covered in grease and dirt, so make sure you give them the once-over with a cloth squirted with an all-purpose cleaner.

Dust blinds, ceiling fans and lampshades, then vacuum curtains and drapes – they may need to be washed or sent to the dry-cleaners if this doesn’t work.

And don’t forget to run a cloth over the top of all your skirting boards to clear the dust.

IN THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM

There’s so much to clean in these rooms that we often forget the inside of utensil holders (whether for spatulas or toothbrushes) and the outside of the salt and pepper containers, which harbour germs.

The bathroom shower curtain can be cleaned by putting it in the washing machine with a couple of towels and tiles should be given the once-over with an anti-limescale spray.

In the kitchen, splashbacks should be cleaned with a degreasing product which can be used on the cooker hood, too.

And use a disinfectant spray inside your bin before washing it out well.

Finally, pull out and clean under your large appliances but also remember to clean inside them, as mould and bacteria can build up. Vinegar works well – put a cup inside an empty dishwasher or a pour a cup into the drum of an empty washing machine before setting a hot wash.

THE OTHER MAIN ROOMS

In the bedroom, turn the mattress and vacuum it to remove dust and dead skin and put pillow and duvets through a wash, or dry-clean, if need be.

Do the same with the sofa – remove and wash the covers then vacuum under the cushions, where dirt (and spare change!) tends to hide.

While in the living room, clean remote controls with a cloth sprayed with an antibacterial product. Use the same on the underneath of tables and chairs, which are constantly touched by fingers.

And finally – give the vacuum itself a wipe over!