With spring comes the opportunity to bring your home out of hibernation and prepare your abode for a summer of entertaining. But before you can even consider adding a few extra decor pieces or swapping over your bedding to something a little brighter, you first need to embark upon the comprehensive spring clean.
If you’ve made a habit of cleaning regularly — ie. vacuuming and wiping down hard surfaces once a week — then you’ll find the below checklist perhaps a little more manageable. Even still, our spring cleaning guide is easily completed in one weekend, though will have you place feeling fresh and clean for weeks, even months after.
All you need to do is stock up on some microfibre cloths, spray and wipe, and a few extra bits and bobs, plug in a killer playlist, and get going. And hey, if you feel like you need a helping hand, don’t be afraid to call in the experts.
It doesn’t matter if you’re short on time or the necessary equipment, cleaning and organising services like Urban Company can be booked easily online for a seamless experience that’ll have your home fresh, clean and sparkling, without you having to lift a finger.
Taking matters into your own hands? Here’s our guide to the seven steps for a successful spring clean.
1. Give the floors a once-over
Yes, they’re bound to end up sandy in just a few months, but freshening up your floors goes a long way to making your space feel clean and new. Start by vacuuming, and don’t forget to pay attention to those tricky-to-reach spots under the couch and on top of the skirting boards. Don’t stop until you’ve caught every last cobweb, even if it means taking a break.
Next, use a floor solution and a mop to run over hardwood floors and tiles until their sparkling clean. Looking to prolong that squeaky clean feeling? Try leaving your shoes at the door.
2. Disinfect high-touch points
Quite honestly, you should be doing this already, and frequently. But there’s no time like the present to start disinfecting those high-touch points in your home.
According to recent studies and scientifically-backed data, the seven germiest spots in your home are as follows: the kitchen sponge, tea towels, fridge compartments, knobs and handles, electronic buttons, bathroom towels, and dog toys.
Soak them in bleach, wipe them down with disinfectant, burn them if you have to, but these germy spots really do deserve your attention in the spring clean. While you won’t necessarily see the difference by disinfecting these items, you will prevent sicknesses and common viruses from spreading.
3. Clear the clutter
No doubt you’ve amassed a bunch of stuff you felt you needed at the time of purchase, but that’s sat in your closet or under the bed for months. Well, now’s the time to donate it or pass it onto someone else.
Grab a bunch of reusable bags and scan each room with a pair of critical eyes. Anything you no longer love or have use for, just pop it into the bags and drop it off at a donation or collection point. Remeber to include your closet or find yourself distracted by the emotional sentimentality of something you don’t really like anymore. Why should something sit underappreciated in your home, when it could be loved and cherished by someone else?
4. Tidy up the garden
No garden? You’re off the hook for this one. Feel free to put your feet up and enjoy a glass of wine. For the homeowners with an outdoor area, now is your time to get ahead of new growth and ensure a tidy garden or courtyard for entertaining.
First up, pull out any weeds, dead leaves and trim back overgrowth. This alone will make a huge impact to the way your space looks. Next, treat your plants to a good feed before you sweep away dirt and debris from your pavements.
5. Wipe down your windows
We understand not all windows are so easy to clean (apartment dwellers, it’s best to call in the experts) but if you do live on the ground floor and can safely wipe down your windows, then this will work wonders to brighten up your space and make way for natural light.
The trick to sparkling windows is getting some good suds going, plus plenty of water to wash away dirt and spots. Finish the job off with a microfibre cloth to banish streaks.
6. Deep clean the bathroom
No one looks forward to cleaning in the bathroom, but boy does the hard work feel worth it when the job’s done. Regular quick cleans are fine for a weekly once-over, but the deep bathroom clean must be done at least once a season.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Scrub down the sink
- Unclog the drains
- Wipe hard surfaces
- Wipe all touchpoints
- Clean the toilet
- Wash the floors
- Clean the shower screen
- Scrub the grout
- Scrub the tub
- Spray and wipe the mirror
- Recycle old shampoo bottles
- Replace your toothbrushes
- Wash bathmats and towels
7. Replace your bedding
It’s more of a cosmetic freshen-up, but replacing your bedding with a fresh set of summer sheets does wonders for your spring home aesthetic. After stripping off your old sheets, take the vacuum to your mattress and suck up any dust and debris. Flip your mattress if you’re due, and hang out your doona to air out and get some sunshine.
Next, dress your bed in some lightweight linen that’s suited to our warm Australian climate.
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Again, feel free to recruit the experts at Urban Company to help you in any stage of the above guide. Along with expert knowledge, household cleaners bring their own equipment and free up your time to spend doing things that bring you joy.
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