Roise McGagh reveals eleven tips on making your spring clean a breeze
It might not really feel like spring at the moment, with the only hint being brighter evenings. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad time of year to clear out the cobwebs and declutter. You’ve made it through a gloomy January and most of a freezing February; it’s time for some refreshment to get you through to warmer days.
The tradition of the spring cleaning has been passed down through every Irish family, it’s a way of welcoming in the warm. Imagine how exciting this was in times without central heating.
It can of course be very daunting to tackle some of the problem areas you’ve been avoiding since clearing away the Christmas decorations. Preparation is key to tackling such a big task. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you get started:
Set some time aside
Decide exactly when and for how long you are going to spring clean, and be realistic. It might only take you eight hours to clear a small apartment, but it might take up most of your weekend to do an entire house. Many people can’t spend large chunks of their day cleaning. Setting aside half an hour as often as you can will get the same results.
Plan it out
Make a list outlining the general areas you want done, the places that need decluttering and the ones you want to deep clean. Then prioritise and create a makeshift schedule of the different areas into the time you have allotted yourself. This might sound overly meticulous, but it’s just to avoid the clean taking the entirety of spring, or you giving up entirely after spending two hours mostly looking at old photographs.Time-based cleaning means your home may not be spotless or a storage haven by the end, but it will definitely be a lot cleaner and tidier overall than when you started. No one notices a perfectly clean oven when the rest of the kitchen hasn’t gotten a lick.
Get your materials ready
Have your mop clean and ready, vacuum emptied, new shower curtain ready, some dusters at hand and all of your solutions ready to go. If you think you’ll need extra storage boxes or a new rug, try and get them in advance. There’s nothing worse than running out to the shop every time you realise you need something else.
Declutter
This is best done before the actual cleaning. You’ll have to go through the places where clutter gathers – this can be anything from old clothes to old birthday cards – and decide whether to keep it, pass it on or throw it away (preferably in some kind of recycling bin). Sort things you want to keep into neat boxes or drawers – try not to go for piles that will eventually be unravelled or knocked over. It is best to dust or wipe while decluttering so you don’t have to go over the same place twice.
Work top to bottom
Start with the ceiling and finish with the floor. If you first tackle the cobwebs then the shelves and next the floors, you’ll avoid returning dust and dirt to an area that you just cleaned. It’s also a good idea to start upstairs and work your way down, or from one end of the house to the other. This will make sure, along side your list, that you don’t forget anything.
Deep clean
This is the time to go at the places you rarely get to. Give your mattress a hoover, deep clean the oven, re-grout the shower, clean the windows, clear the cobwebs from outside your front door, tackle the mould, defrost your fridge and freezer and give the front of your kitchen cabinets a wipe. Don’t forget to replace the filters in your kitchen fan or other ventilation systems.
Delegate
If there are more than you in the house, or maybe even an army of little cleaners, give them some tasks. Split the bulk of the work between the adults of the house and give smaller tasks to kids, like dusting or wiping surfaces. Make it fun by whistling while you work, or singing, or promising a small reward for the help.
You can’t always do every task yourself; some jobs like outside upper window cleaning, power washing, painting and chimney cleaning might require a professional with the right equipment.
Clean green
Store bought cleaning products are not only often harmful to the environment, but harmful for you to breathe in. There is no need to use bleach on absolutely every surface, you will be shocked at just how effective some hot soapy water and a scrub or some soft steel wool can be. Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is really great at removing scummy dirt and white distilled vinegar is great for removing and killing mould. Vinegar, baking soda, and water – your own personal volcano – mixed together in a bottle is a time old cleaner that works wonders. If you want it to smell nice you can add some tea tree or a squeeze of lemon.
You can find plenty of methods online to help you clean cheaply and safely with natural products.
A steam cleaner might even be a worthy investment, it can clean a huge number of surfaces, just using hot vapour, even furniture.
Air it out
If you do want to use up some of the products you have, make sure you use them in a well-ventilated area. If you ever feel lightheaded when cleaning – stop and get some fresh air and make sure you open a nearby window. Keeping air flowing is also essential if you have allergies. Cleaning may release a lot of dust or spores into the air. Cleaning dust with a damp cloth can stop it from flying and avoiding spray cleaners will help stop you breathing in anything you shouldn’t.
Protect yourself
To avoid any allergic reactions to dust or products and to avoid drying out your skin, make sure to wear protective items of clothing and keep your skin and lungs protected. To keep you safe when spring cleaning, wear some rubber gloves, a mask, have long hair tied back, and a long sleeve top you won’t mind staining.
Set a new tone
To put some final touches on your freshly cleaned home, make some small changes to make it seem brighter and clearer. Cosy season is gone. Move around furniture and change the position of your lighting if you can. Choose some brightly coloured sheets, cushion covers, towels and table cloths to bring some spring to your home despite the winter conditions outside. Maybe even take in a few daffodils and put them in a vase as a finishing touch.
Spring cleaning can be a great way to rejuvenate your life in a simple way. Your mind might also feel decluttered after you’re finished, when your living space is clear and shining.
