Let’s face it: during the cold weeks of late winter, it’s nice to live like a hermit and take refuge from the weather. But as spring approaches, many of us start to think seriously about spring cleaning.
For many people, however, the mere thought of spring cleaning sends a shiver down the spine. We dwell on the sheer amount of work that needs to be done, and this often results in crucial cleaning tasks being postponed or put off indefinitely.
When the first shoots of spring emerge, we don’t want to be stuck indoors cleaning; we want to be outside enjoying the great outdoors. And by using these time-saving spring clean hacks, you’ll have more time to do the more exciting things in life once the weather takes a turn for the better.
1. Keep your tools clean
Too many people overuse their cloths, brushes and sponges before cleaning them. As a result, cleaning takes longer; and in some cases, major surfaces can actually become dirtier than before. Make sure you’re cleaning all of your cleaning tools and utensils regularly.
Cleaning tip: Fill a bucket with a mild disinfectant solution, and wring out cloths and sponges in it regularly. Alternatively, you can steam clean these items in a minute or two in your microwave.
2. Assign a time limit to every job
The sheer scale of the work that needs to be completed in spring often leaves us demoralised — which means we end up working at a snail’s pace. But if you have a time limit to work to, you’ll work just a little bit faster… and perhaps a little bit smarter.
3. Use some fruit
Believe it or not, citrus fruits are particularly effective at cleaning stainless steel surfaces. For example, you can kill two birds with one stone by cleaning your steel bathroom taps with lemons, as you’re killing bacteria and breaking down limescale at the same time.
4. Wax your oven and range
This won’t speed up the initial process of cleaning your oven and cooking range, but it will make subsequent cleans a lot easier. Apply a thin layer of car wax to your range and all the interior surfaces of your oven. This will make these appliances look fantastic, but it will also act as a barrier to grease and carbonised food.
5. Create lots of hiding places for clutter
It’s important to think strategically when you’re managing clutter in your home. To make your spring cleaning easier, you should have a home for everyday clutter such as magazines, shoes, hats and gadgets. Think about how you use these items, and place storage solutions in the appropriate places. If your home is always in a relative state of organisation, spring cleaning will be a much quicker process.
6. Dust with tumble dryer sheets
There are few things more disheartening in the world of household cleaning that seeing dust settle on the surface you dusted just a couple of seconds previously. A surprisingly effective and cheap way to dust is with the use of tumble dryer sheets. They act as electrostatic cloths that pick up dust quickly and repel new particles for a period afterwards. However, always make sure that you wipe from the top to the bottom of a surface, or you’ll find you’re wiping it several times.
7. Make full use of your dishwasher
A dishwasher isn’t just for dishes. You can use this everyday household appliance to clean a vast array of items in your home. Everything from toys to refrigerator shelves can be cleaned in the average domestic dishwasher — just add a cup of vinegar just before you set it away. To save you washing things twice, however, make sure you wash the dishwasher itself before your spring cleaning begins.
Spring cleaning is a major job that requires elbow grease, patience and a great deal of time. But if you work smarter, you can free up time to enjoy all that spring has to offer.