spring cleaning

Spring cleaning isn’t one of those 15-minute jobs, though; it needs careful planning and a fair amount of organisation. Packing away winter and letting the world back into your home can still be a lot of fun.

There’s no doubt, spring cleaning on a fresh, sunny day is the best. Windows thrown wide open and an eager team of helpers at the ready to - at least - clean their own rooms can be extremely motivating.

First things first: strip all the beds and put the linen in the washing machine, also wash curtains or get them to the dry-cleaner. If you can, drag the mattresses outside for an air and vacuum the bed frames. Steam cleaning your mattress would be a good idea, and should be done yearly to keep it in peak condition.
With the mattresses airing and the washing on the line, it’s time to tackle each room one at a time. If, however, you have an able team of helpers, give each team a room to do. During your spring cleaning briefing, instruct each team to pull everything out of the cupboards first, pull everything off the shelves next and finally haul out everything from under the bed, sofas or anything other storage place your house has.

Just as you did back in autumn, issue each room 3 boxes to help you organise everything that comes out of the cupboards, drawers and off the shelves: one for throwing away, one for storing until next winter and one for passing on or giving to charity.You know the house is going to look worse for a while, before it gets better – just grin and bear it!

With the cupboards empty, clean from back to front and top to bottom, then fold, hang and organise everything back into the cupboard for the coming months. It’s a good idea to vacuum-pack anything that you’re not likely to use again until autumn for two reasons: (1) vacuumed storage bags take up much less space than boxes, and (2) your clothes will last longer if they’re not exposed to the humidity that is just around the corner.

Similarly, wipe down shelves from top to bottom, so that the dust follows you and is cleaned away rather than landing on shelves you’ve already cleaned. Clean each book or ornament as you replace it, consider where you put everything. Do you want to put it all back in the same place, or mix it up a bit? Clean around the light fittings, around the picture rails and skirting boards. Leave no surface untouched, some people even take this chance to give the walls a lick of spring-inspired paint and steam-clean the carpets.

Cleaner London is good at window cleaning in London. Work methodically through each room from the top of the house to the bottom, leaving the window open and closing the door behind you has you finish. As a little treat, why not put a homemade lavender pouch on each pillow and lay out the bathroom with scented candles? When all the doors are closed, you are finished.

Go out into the garden and enjoy a glass of bubbly and a good read, so that you can get that wonderful ‘going home to a clean house’ feeling when you go back in.

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