Spring cleaning tips for your home

British Summertime officially begins on the 26th March, so why not dedicate a day or two in the run up to getting your home spick and span?

Research has shown that a good declutter, tidy and clean can do wonders for your wellbeing as it can make your brain far less stressed[1]. Sue Kay, spokeswoman for the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers, explained: “I've seen people in depression because they feel they can't even do the simple task of keeping their house clean.

"It is why a thorough spring clean has a definite feel good factor. It not only clears space, it helps wipe that 'to do' list that constantly accumulates in your head and keeps you awake at night."[2]

If you’re feeling inspired to give your home the best spring clean it’s had in years, here are our top 10 tips:

1. The night before you’re due to start your spring clean, turn all the rugs in your home upside down. By the morning, all the dirt and bits from them will be on the floor, ready to be hoovered up. This saves you from having to shake them outside.
   
   
2. When it comes to dusting, have a damp cloth and a dry cloth. Wipe with the wet cloth, follow with the dry cloth. Don’t rush, do every surface in your home, from the top of your wardrobes to the ceiling fan in your conservatory.
   
   
3. Use a lint brush to clean your lampshades. Curtains and cushions can be hoovered if you’re worried about washing them.
   
   
4. Disinfect your bins, even your wheelie bin, outside. If you have a bin that’s in a particularly bad way, consider replacing it. Wheelie bin liners are a good idea as they’ll stop your bin from smelling.
   
   
5. Consider getting your floors – especially your carpets – professionally cleaned. You can hire equipment to do the job yourself, but there isn’t usually a big saving to be had and your time could be better spent elsewhere.
   
   
6. Before you clean your microwave, put some washing liquid in a bowl and heat it up for a minute or two. This will loosen up the dried-on food so you won’t need to use as much elbow grease. To clean any stainless steel in your kitchen, add a few drops of olive oil to your cleaning cloth.
   
   
7. Spend an afternoon going through your wardrobe and removing items that are the wrong size, looking shabby or you haven’t worn for six months plus. With everything else, ask yourself ‘Do I love it?’ if you don’t, remove it and put into a binbag for your local charity shop. Less is more when it comes to clothes so why not trial having a capsule wardrobe for a few months?
   
   
8. To get your home smelling sweetly, add a few drops of lavender oil to your hoover bag or sprinkle some cinnamon on rugs and carpets before you hoover.
   
   
9. Keep a box next to your shoe rack with all the essential items you’ll need in the summer months – sun cream, sunglasses, sun hat, and the like, so you’ve always got them close to hand. It might be worth adding an umbrella, too, with the unpredictable UK weather.
   
   
10. If you have toys scattered around your home, now is the time to gather them all together and remove any your children or grandchildren have outgrown. You can return them to their parents or donate to a charity shop.