We all know why an annual deep clean is necessary – it helps to prevent the build-up of mould and allergens, get rid of stubborn stains, and create a healthier environment to live in – but it can be hard to know where to begin.
If it all seems too much like hard work, our experts are happy to arrange visits from specialist local cleaners who can tackle the deep clean while you put your feet up. If you’re determined to get down to it yourself, here is home specialist Ashleigh Braund’s handy checklist of spring cleaning tasks to keep you on track.
The kitchen
Get to the bits that don’t show – the grouting around the sink, the greasy bits around cupboard doors and the hard-to-reach corners will all benefit from a thorough scrubbing. Clear out, wipe down and air the fridge, and defrost the freezer.
Give your cooker an overhaul – remove the control knobs if possible to clean beneath them – and run your oven on its cleaning programme if it has one, before wiping away any residue. Otherwise, it’s time to use an oven cleaner or, if you want to avoid the noxious fumes, you can use a layer of bicarbonate of soda instead. Leave this to sit for a few hours before spritzing with white vinegar to create a cleansing reaction.
For a thorough job, empty all of cupboards, throw away any out-of-date items, re-organise everything into relevant sections and clean the insides thoroughly.
The bathroom
Use an old toothbrush to scrub grouting between tiles. If you live in a hard water area, you might have limescale deposits on your sink and showerhead, and – although not an eco-friendly product – Viakal is excellent for removing even the toughest of marks. It has a particularly strong smell so it’s advisable to keep all windows open when using it.
Eco-cloths are great for tackling mirrors, shower screens and giving your bathroom a high-shine finish. If you own a shower screen, the most effective way of avoiding limescale build-up is by using a scraper and clearing any excess water after usage.
When deep cleaning, you might want to use a more heavy-duty toilet cleaner than usual – our experts can advise you on the most effective and economical products. Be sure to rinse all traces of cleaner away from your sparkling surfaces before you use them. This is also a good opportunity to throw away any old cosmetic products and wash out the containers for your toiletries.
Window cleaning
Ashleigh advises: ’I’d personally recommend blue and green eco-cloths for cleaning the insides of windows if you want a crystal-clear finish. This is an easy method that requires no additional cleaning products. First wipe with the damp blue cloth, then buff with the green cloth. It’s important that these cloths aren’t with washing powder or tumble-dried so that they do not lose their effectiveness.
‘Alternatively, vinegar is a cheaper and environmentally friendlier way to make your windows gleam,’ Ashleigh says. Dilute half a cup of white vinegar with two cups of water, add a teaspoon of liquid soap and transfer the mixture to an empty spray bottle. Ashleigh's favourite method is to move the sponge in one direction (ie up to down) on one side of the window, and go in another direction (left to right) on the other side. If you do get streaks, using this method will show you which side of the window needs another quick turn. Finally, polish to a shine with either a newspaper or a dry cloth.
The rest
It’s time to take all your ornaments, books and pictures off the shelves and out of the cupboards. Clean, wipe and dust shelving units and give their contents a once-over before replacing them – this can be a great opportunity to get rid of books or knick-knacks you no longer need. And don’t forget to deep clean your carpets, and launder and re-hang your curtains. If these larger jobs are too challenging, we can offer our members trustworthy local help – just call us.
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