A home spring cleaning
Our Spring-Cleaning Top Tips
If you’re planning to tackle the big clean yourself, these expert tips from Chelmsford Cleaners will ensure your home is sparkling for the warmer months ahead:
Limit your spring cleaning products to a quality window/glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, tile/grout cleaner, and toilet cleaner.
Always use the Chelmsford Cleaners system for the quickest and most efficient cleaning. Start at the top level of your home and work your way down; within each room, clean from top to bottom, beginning on the left and moving to the right.
Dust the room first, then vacuum. This ensures that any dust or dirt that falls onto the floor will be picked up by the vacuum.
The best cloth for dusting is a damp, clean microfiber cloth. To dampen, hold the cloth by the corner and lightly spray it with water. The cloth should be just damp enough to pick up dust without leaving moisture streaks on the furniture.
If there’s pet hair on upholstery, use a damp microfiber cloth or rubber glove to remove it easily.
Before mopping, sweep or vacuum the floors to collect crumbs and dirt. Then, start washing the floor from the farthest corner and work your way towards the door. Use a damp cloth at the end of the mop handle to reach narrow spaces between appliances.
To remove baked-on food from the inside of your microwave, fill a cup with water and microwave it on full power for a few minutes. The steam will loosen the splatters, making them easier to wipe away.
Dishcloths and sponges can harbor germs. Wash cloths regularly and microwave damp sponges on high for several minutes to kill bacteria. Even better, use microfiber cloths, as they dry quickly and help prevent the spread of germs.
Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas in the bathroom and kitchen, such as around the soap dish, taps, and drains.
When cleaning windows, wipe the interior side of the glass horizontally and the exterior side vertically. This way, you’ll easily know if the streaks are inside or outside.
Use a feather duster to remove cobwebs from hard-to-reach corners and crevices. It’s also great for dusting lampshades, which can look grey and dusty when exposed to brighter spring light.
To de-scale a kettle, fill it halfway with white vinegar and water and let it soak overnight. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn lime scale. Rinse thoroughly a couple of times, then boil some water to eliminate any vinegar smell.
Time to Get Organised
Spring is the perfect time to declutter and get rid of any unwanted items around the home. Here are our top tips from Chelmsford Cleaners to help you stay organized, keeping your space tidier and cleaner:
Sort things out. Grab three boxes and label them: ‘Keep’, ‘Donate’, and ‘Dispose’. As you go through your cupboards, closets, and wardrobes, place unnecessary items into the appropriate box.
Clear winter clutter. Spring is the ideal time to find new storage for winter essentials like scarves, de-icer, and snow shovels. Pack these away now that warmer weather is on its way.
Sort through your winter clothes and pack them away for storage to make room for your spring and summer wardrobe.
Go through your food cupboards and dispose of any expired items. A fresh start in the kitchen is a great way to welcome the season.
Check your fridge for expired items. Clear out any old products and make space for fresh, seasonal produce.
Revive white bedding and towels that have become grey or worn by washing them with a brightening agent. Natural options like lemon juice or white vinegar work wonders, and drying them in the sun will boost the whitening effect.
Tackle the toy collection—if you have one! Toys can take over a home, so consider investing in storage containers, perhaps one for the playroom and another for the kids’ bedrooms. This helps keep things organized and teaches children to put their toys away.
Wash your vases in hot soapy water or update them with new ones. Fill your home with bright, seasonal flowers like tulips, crocuses, or daffodils to instantly brighten the space.
Print out recent photos of family and friends that are stored on your computer, and update your frames. Or, get creative by enlarging photos or printing them in black and white to create new artwork for those empty walls.
Good luck! Enjoy the fresh, clean feel of your home as you embrace the new season.
Our Summer-Cleaning Top Tips
Washing patio furniture
To keep patio furniture looking bright, clean it with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water (you can also add a few drops of dish soap). This solution helps prevent dirt and pollen buildup, while also deterring insects.
Scrubbing windows and frames
Clean the windows both inside and out—wipe one side horizontally and the other vertically. This way, if you notice any streaks, you’ll know which side to touch up. Don’t forget to clean the shutters as well; start by dusting off any dirt or cobwebs before you begin.
Polishing doors and tracks
Remove dust, dirt, and cobwebs first. For any stubborn, caked-on grime, use a wide-blade screwdriver wrapped in a microfiber cloth to gently scrape it off. A solution of white vinegar and water works wonderfully to soften and lift tough dirt.
Washing the rubbish and compost bins
Bins should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to eliminate bacteria and germs. Start by rinsing off any loose debris with a garden hose. Then, apply some surgical spirit to a microfiber cloth and wipe down the bins, both inside and out. If the bins are stored indoors, we recommend cleaning them at least once a week. For outdoor bins, once a month should be sufficient.
Removing caked-on grass from the lawn mower
If you forgot to clean your lawn mower before putting it away last autumn, now is the perfect time to do so. A clean mower will perform better and cut grass more efficiently. Just be cautious when handling the blades, as they can be sharp and may cause injury.
Here’s how to clean it:
- Make sure the engine is off and the mower is cool. Unplug spark plugs or disengage any mechanism that helps to power the machine
- Use a stiff brush to dislodge dried grass from the air intake, cooling find, exhaust, oil and fuel filter caps and all cables and links
- If cleaning a petrol mower, protect your working area against possible fuel leakage. Then tip the mower and use a wide blade screwdriver wrapped in a microfibre cloth to scrap off caked-on grass and dirt from under the mower
- Spray bare metal areas with an aerosol lubricant to protect them from corrosion
Cleaning the garage and drive
Sweep the garage floor every few months to remove dirt and debris. Be sure to check for any spills, like oil or antifreeze, and absorb them with sand or cat litter. For your driveway, use a pressure washer to tackle any buildup of dirt or mud.
Insect and bird control
Keep an eye out for wasp, bee, or bird nests in any nooks or crannies around windows or doors. If you spot stinging insects, it’s best to contact pest control. For bird nests, try to work around them until the chicks have fledged and the nest is no longer in use.
Power washing the patio and fence
If your patio, deck, or fence is peeling or faded, give it a fresh look by scrubbing it with a power washer. Want to update your outdoor décor? Consider staining your deck or fence with a new color to give it a renewed, vibrant appearance.
Cleaning the barbecue
Take out all the racks and soak them in hot soapy water. Use white vinegar or a specialized cleaner to tackle any grease on the grill surfaces. Wipe down the inside of the barbecue thoroughly. To stay on top of maintenance this summer, use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the grill before and after each use.