With this in mind, here are a few tips and tricks to help guide you spring cleaning in 2016.
1. Make a list.
Putting down on paper exactly what needs to be done can really help you visualise, plan and prioritise. This list will be applicable to every zone, be that an area or a room, and you will start at the top of the list and work your way to the bottom each time - checking off as you go.
2. Take your time
Spring cleaning involves attacking every room and area of your home, so spread it out. You aren't going to get to it all in one day, so take a month and schedule time for each room or area in the month. So by the end of March, say, all your jobs are done, and it's only taken 1-2 hours out of each weekend and a few weekday tasks that are a bit shorter.
3. Delegate, if possible.
A problem shared is a problem halved, so get everyone who lives in the house to help out. Husbands, children, heck - pets if you can strap little cloths to their feet.
4. Do a stock inventory before your spring-cleaning-month is here
The weekend before, add any extra cleaning supplies to your grocery list. Make sure you have the right sprays, cloths, sponges, bleaches, wipes - and of course the nice smelly candles for when you're putting your feet up with a cuppa in your sparkling new castle.
ZONES:
Kitchen/dining:
- Oven - clean the inside, take out the internal shelves and either run them through the dishwasher or give them a good scrub in the sink. While this is happening, fully clean the doors.
- Fridge - take out and thoroughly clean each shelf and drawer. Clean the inside of the fridge and replace all the shelving. Best to do this on a day before you plan a major grocery shop.
- Cupboards - remove everything from each cupboard one at a time and dust and then scrub with water and dry thoroughly all the shelving. Replace items and move on to the next one. Clean the front and back of each cupboard door.
- Wash skirting boards and hoover or dust ceiling and walls, including any air vents, pictures, mirrors etc. This will remove any dust and cobwebs.
- Clean the inside windows and windowsills (and the outside ones if you can brave the cold, I would hire a window cleaner for a professional gleam!)
Living area:
- Wash and dry any cushions covers/throws on the sofa, and if possible have your sofa shampooed/cleaned.
- Wash and dry any fabric curtains (or have them dry-cleaned) or if you have wooden blinds, dust and wash those.
- Declutter any old magazines or papers lying around that could be got rid of.
- Dust and polish all wooden surfaces.
- Wash skirting boards and hoover/dust ceilings and walls.
- Clean the inside windows and windowsills.
Bedrooms:
- Buy new pillows to replace any current ones. I wouldn't say this is necessary for spare rooms or pillows that aren't used often, but for your daily sleeping pillow, I would do this.
- Wash and dry and curtains/blinds.
- Wash skirting boards and hoover/dust ceilings and walls.
- Clean the inside windows and windowsills.
- Clean and organise your wardrobes - dusting where necessary and clearing out any clothes you no longer wear so they can be donated or got rid of.
- Wash every washable surface with bleach or cleaning products.
- Clean taps very thoroughly, clean shower head and bath taps too.
- Wash your bathroom bin.
- Clean tiles and grouting.
- Scrub your bathtub clean.
- Wash and dry and curtains/blinds.
- Wash skirting boards and hoover/dust ceilings and walls.
- Clean the inside windows and windowsills.
- Organise garage area and garden shed if applicable, dispose of any rubbish appropriately and tidy and organise the area.
- Dust all doors (including the tops of doors) and shine all the handles.
- Digitally spring clean - purge your inbox, back up your folders, save your photos. It is a good habit to get into as you approach each new month to save photos and organise them from the previous month. Each three months it is worth ordering any prints you might like to ahve hard copies of.
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