It has felt like a long winter, but spring is here and it brings a renewed sense of positivity and productivity. It is time to refresh, revamp and declutter your home and headspace: it is time for some spring cleaning!
It can be tricky to look around your home and know where to start but the results are so worth the effort. To help you out, we have put together our essential guide to spring cleaning with tips, tricks and the ultimate spring cleaning checklist. Let’s get started!
Spring cleaning is a literal and metaphorical cleanse. We spend the dark winter months with the curtains drawn and doors shut while clutter, dust and grime accumulate. As the days get longer, the natural light triggers our bodies to release serotonin, boosting our mood and improving symptoms of depression. It is the perfect time to make use of extra energy and positivity to sort out our living spaces, breathe fresh life into our homes and further improve our mental health.
In the warm weather you may also feel keen to invite friends and family over for impromptu drinks and BBQs, and spring is also a popular time to list houses for sale. If your home is visitor-ready, there is no need for anxiety when the doorbell rings.
There are no excuses for avoiding spring cleaning: you do not need anything fancy or expensive to get the job done. Keep this of list essentials in stock so you are prepared to clean when the mood strikes:
A stack of all-purpose reusable cloths can be used for just about every cleaning task in your home.
There are a huge range of products available including eco-friendly options. You may get by just fine with basic products such as lemons, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda! Our spring cleaning checklist of product essentials includes:
For a deeper clean, grab the following, too:
Whether you tackle the whole house in one go or do it a room at a time, follow these room-by-room spring cleaning tips to get your house sparkling and fresh. This is our ultimate spring cleaning checklist.
It is astonishing how crumbs and dirt accumulate in the kitchen. Even in cupboards and drawers that contain clean pans, plates and cutlery: the dirt builds up. Empty your cupboards one at a time and give them a thorough clean with warm soapy water. Do the same with your drawers, cutlery organiser and any other storage spaces. Whilst they are empty and drying, look through the contents and only put back what you actually use. Donate or dispose of the rest.
Go through your packets of food and donate or dispose of anything that you are not going to eat. You do not need that half-eaten packet of crackers from three Christmases ago, nor should you save the bulk-bought jars of sauce the whole family agreed tasted disgusting. With more space and less clutter, you will be happier and calmer when cooking.
When it comes to cleaning, as well as the usual surface clean, be sure to take on the oven, hobs and microwave. De-crumb the toaster, descale the kettle, clean the fridge and run the dishwasher on a cleaning cycle. Move worktop appliances and clean behind them. Clear the windowsill of clutter and wipe cupboard doors and kickboards.
The bathroom is where you go to get clean… so it stands to reason that the room itself should be clean! Aside from the usual cleaning regime, it is time to take on the mould and limescale. Use specialised products and follow the instructions. Assess if the loo could do with a deep-clean, too. There are a range of great products that will have your toilet stain-free and sparkling in no time. You may need to don rubber gloves and use some elbow grease, but the results will be worth it.
This is also a great opportunity to clear out the clutter. Accumulated toiletries that are haunting your bathroom can all be donated: only save what you need or really want. The space you get back may astonish you.
While you are decluttering: bin mouldy bath toys and donate ones the kids have outgrown. Check through your sponges, flannels and towels: are they any you should evict? Give the fan a careful dust and run a duster over the tops of cabinets while you are at it.
It sounds basic but here is your spring cleaning checklist:
Bedrooms are magnets for dust. It is time to take everything out from under the bed and vacuum up those dust bunnies. Sort, select and only put back what really belongs there. Do the same with your wardrobes, cupboards and drawers. Move bedside tables to clean behind them, rotate your mattress and give your bedding a wash.
You might decide to store your winter clothes in vacuum bags, freeing up valuable wardrobe space for your spring styles. If you have made space under the bad, your vacuum bags might slip nicely in there, ready for the return of the colder weather.
Clutter is terrible for mental health but tackling it can be challenging and emotional. Do not try and do too much at once. Take on a single room or even a single cupboard at a time. Get everything out and, as you look through your possessions, ask yourself: “Do I NEED it? Do I desperately WANT it?” then either keep, donate or toss. It can be hard, but the regained space is often far more valuable than the countless items you have been unnecessarily hoarding.
Organising your storage spaces is also key. Use labelled, stackable storage boxes in the garage and attic. Labelling shelves and drawers can also help the whole family keep up the good work when it comes to putting things back in the right place.
Over the years we have gathered a few favourite spring cleaning hacks for speeding up those arduous tasks. Here are our top five time saving tips:
You can reduce waste by reusing household items and making conscious choices as you clean.
We are so happy that spring is here and hope that our tips for spring cleaning have got you motivated to freshen up your home. The key is getting started and not taking on too much at once. Clearing and cleaning a little corner at a time will boost your mood and motivate you to keep going until the whole place is fresh and inviting.
If you are spring cleaning in preparation for a move, please get in touch. At Charters Estate Agents we help guide clients through their property journeys and sometimes it all starts with a good spring clean. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have as you approach the property market.
Spread the news...