Lighten the mood with a good spring clean

Although we’re still in the grip of winter, and there is another icy blast just around the corner, Spring isn’t too far away. It’s always good to be optimistic after all.

Maybe it is time to start thinking about Spring cleaning.

In just over a week’s time – 5-11 March to be exact – it’s National Spring Cleaning Week.

Get into the spirit by lightening up your home and yourself. Brighten up your home ready for the warmer days ahead.

Here are some things you can do for effective Spring cleaning.

• Declutter – go through your stuff, decide what you really need and what you can live without and get rid.
• Dust – break out the duster and the Mr Sheen and give your whole house a good dusting.
• Deep clean carpets and upholstery – if you have a deep cleaner use that. If not, consider getting a professional cleaner to really cleanse your home.
• Get rid of pet hairs.
• Give the oven a clean with bicarbonate of soda.
• Clean the fridge.
• Use the dishwasher to clean the kids’ plastic toys.
• Steam clean the microwave.
• Go through your wardrobe – if you haven’t worn something for some time the chances are you won’t for a while. Pare your wardrobe down to the essentials and discard the rest.
• Wipe over bathroom surfaces with white vinegar for a deep clean – soak tiles and shower heads in white vinegar overnight before rinsing to remove lime scale and other stubborn stains.
• Make your home smell lovely with fresh fragrances and keep the place well-aired with cool wafts of air through open windows.
• Outside the home, keep the garden leaf free, and why not go to town on the car as well – keep it as clean as your house and feel great every time you go for a drive.
• Don’t forget to give the windows a clean and clear away any cobwebs that may be hiding in the corners of the window frames.

When you have decluttered why not make a bit of extra cash by putting anything saleable on eBay or consider going to a local car boot sale? Or if you’re feeling charitable take your old belongings to the local Age Concern.

You will feel better after a good Spring clean - trust us.