With the snow melting off and leaving everything a wet, muddy mess, it’s natural to start looking forward to spring and having a big clear-out so that everything is fresh and tidy after a long period when no one wants to do anything.
A good spring clean can help to lift spirits, as it’s a chance to get rid of anything that’s been cluttering up the house since winter. It can also be a chance to start over and feel refreshed. While some people would rely on the expertise of professionals offering junk removal or pressure washing fayetteville nc (and elsewhere), others may find it therapeutic to do the job themselves. It can be a form of self-care, and it can be a great way to practice mindfulness.
Although, when it comes to spring cleaning, there would be tasks that you can undertake, and then some that you need to outsource. For example, if you want to get your air ducts cleaned, no matter how well you think you do it, is it likely that professionals will do a more thorough job. Similarly, if you have a chandelier in your home, only a chandelier cleaning service would be able to be detailed enough to clean it well. That said, there are plenty of chores – cleaning windows, mopping and dusting the house, organizing and decluttering – that you can undertake yourself, or delegate to your family member as well. To do these tasks well, you need to equip yourself with the right cleaning materials.
Here are some things you should get in stock to assist you to with your spring-cleaning adventures:
Bicarb and vinegar
If you have stubborn stains and baked-on grime (for instance, if you put your oven through its paces over Christmas), heap a few teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda onto what you’re trying to shift, and then pour some vinegar over. If you’ve never done this before, watch what happens because it’s great fun. Wait till the bubbles have subsided and then let it sit for a while. You might need to repeat a few times for the stains to
Borax
This naturally occurring mineral is a great natural disinfectant and can be added to water to clean floors and tiles.
Shampoo
There is a surprising amount you can do with humble shampoo. It can be used to clean your dirty washing in place of laundry detergent; you can also use it to remove stains from rugs and carpets (dab a few drops on with some water, blot with a towel, rinse and repeat). However, keep in mind that some carpets and rugs, which are vintage or have adhesive backs, should not be cleaned with shampoo at all. Vintage floor coverings may not contain dyes that are color-fast. Cleaning them with shampoo can lead to color bleeding or fading. Likewise, shampoo used on carpets with adhesive backing can potentially damage the adhesive. It is, therefore, better to get these types of carpets cleaned using Professional Carpet Systems, which can delicately remove the deep-seated stains.
A skip
De-cluttering is an essential part of the spring-cleaning process. While a skip might appear to be a big outlay, it’s a big hassle-saver as it is delivered to you and taken away, with all contents disposed of responsibly. You can get them in a range of sizes to fit your needs.
A square shovel
Borrow one from a friend if you haven’t got one, and get into the garden. Clear any dead, decaying green matter and your outdoors spaces will instantly be rejuvenated for springtime enjoyment.
Carbonated drinks
Instead of rotting your teeth, use fizzy pop to clean your toilet.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste has a huge range of non-tooth applications, including stain removal, cleaning your trainers and removing scratches from CDs amongst many others.
You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to clean out your house. Using ordinary things you already have (such as shampoo) will save you from purchasing separate items that you might not use all of.
Vivienne Egan writes for Thomson Local who provide listings of local cleaners