As spring arrives, with days getting longer and the temperature rising slowly but surely, it's the perfect time to fling doors and windows open and get stuck into a good old-fashioned spring clean.
Giving your home a thorough scrub has so many benefits, from the psychological uplift of living in a clean and organised space to the practical impact on keeping bugs and rodents at bay. Plus, it's good for your health - a germ-free home is not only more hygienic, but if you suffer with allergies or other respiratory sensitivities, you'll feel the benefit of tackling dust build-up, too. And that's without even mentioning that a spring clean is also a good workout!
Sold? Here’s our guide on how to tackle it room by room, with top tips from the experts:
Our simple seven-step spring clean
Before you start:
- Make sure you have all your cleaning kit to hand. You’ll need clean and dry cloths, sponges, non-abrasive scourers, cleaning solutions in spray bottles, a bucket or bowl of hot water and some rubber gloves.
- It’s also easier to have all your cleaning kit in one easy-to-carry caddy.
- Wear some old clothes, as deep cleaning can get messy.
1: Refresh your bedroom
As well as regular vacuuming and dusting, it’s also important to deep clean the bed every six months or so – more often if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Start by cleaning the mattress with a vacuum hose or attachment, then sprinkle over a little bicarbonate of soda to absorb moisture and neutralise odours. Leave on for a few hours, then vacuum again.
Rotating the mattress is a good idea – doing this every three to six months can help to prevent germs and dust mites settling in the base. Use a lint roller to clean dust from the headboard and leave the bed to air for a while, before adding fresh bedlinen.
Next, empty drawers and wardrobes, clean the insides thoroughly, and keep them smelling fresh with scent booster beads or tumble dryer sheets.
2. De-grime the bathroom
Take all the toiletries out so you have clean surfaces. Start with the bath and shower curtain or screen. If you have a machine-washable curtain, pop it into the machine, and for glass shower screens use de-scaler or a steam cleaner to get it gleaming.
Clean the shower with a mix of washing-up liquid and white vinegar, and use an old toothbrush with cream cleaner to clean grout around the tiles. Homemade natural cleaning products are great for tackling taps, plugholes and surfaces of the bath and basin – but you may need a stronger product for stubborn grime.
Deep-clean the toilet inside and out, paying attention to the base and behind the loo. To remove limescale naturally, pour warm water down the toilet then a few scoops of citric acid, leave for a few minutes then scrub using a toilet brush.
3. Spritz up the kitchen
Start with the oven. You can clean the inside of the oven and microwave with a solution of equal amounts of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar – or mix lemon juice with salt and rub into greasy areas – then leave for a few hours before wiping with a clean, damp cloth. While you’re waiting, remove oven racks and soak in hot, soapy water. We've got more details on carrying out a deep oven clean here.
Next, clean the hob with a non-abrasive scourer and a little water, empty the fridge and freezer and wipe the insides with a clean, soft cloth dipped in warm water with bicarb or white vinegar. Wipe down, using a clean, wet cloth.
‘To make your own, eco-friendly kitchen cleaning solution, we suggest adding 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. This is a better alternative to using chemically loaded cleaning sprays. Not only can these damage your surfaces, but residue from the chemicals’ particles can come in close contact with food, causing a safety risk.’
Elaine Aguiar, Owner of Elaine Cleaning Services
Empty all the cupboards, too, and give the insides a wipe. Use eco-friendly products so you don’t leave any nasty chemical odours. And don’t forget the sink and tap, using disinfectant for stubborn spots.
Sort through your cleaning products and replenish anything that needs topping up. Wipe down surfaces with antibacterial spray and mop the floor.
If you have a dishwasher to clean, remove and scrub the filter and run on a hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaning solution.
4. Revive the living room
Start by opening the windows and dusting the ceiling, shelving and window sills. Vacuum any cobwebs away and wipe down windows and walls with a feather duster, then clean the windows with a glass spray or a homemade solution of water and white vinegar.
Next, deep-clean fabric sofas and armchairs by removing the cushions and vacuuming with an upholstery attachment, then wipe the fabric using a sponge dipped in a little warm water diluted with laundry detergent. Leave to dry. If you want to buy a specialised sofa cleaner, we've tested some of the market-leading upholstery cleaning solutions here.
‘For tough stains on sofas, armchairs or footstools, use a water-based cleaning product. Spray directly onto the stain and leave for a couple of minutes. Gently dab the area with a microfibre cloth to pick up any residue, then blot with a clean, damp, colourfast cloth to remove any product left behind. For stubborn stains, reapply and repeat.’
Gisela Lancaster, Buying Manager at Sofology
Take machine-washable curtains down and wash or soak in a bath of hot water and laundry detergent. Vacuum the carpet and any rugs, or mop a hard floor, then finish by washing blankets, throws and cushion covers.
5. Tackle the washing machine
Spend some time cleaning the washing machine and tumble dryer, if you have one. Start by emptying and cleaning the filters and the condenser unit on the dryer.
To clean the washer, use a washing machine cleaning product - we've tested some of the best-selling brands here - and run on an empty cycle.
‘Grease and limescale can build up relatively quickly in your washing machine’s filter, spray-arms and pipes when it is being used day in, day out. It’s really important that you maintain your machine properly and keep it clean, as this results in a longer lifespan, more effective wash and cleaner clothes. Use a specialist cleaner that also kills bacteria and viruses, at least once a month, as this is essential to eradicate those unpleasant smells.’
Jennifer Sharpe, Chief Fragrance Officer at Fabulosa
For a homemade solution, add ½ cup of bicarbonate of soda and ¼ cup of white vinegar to the drum, and run a long cycle with a few clean hand towels on the hottest setting. Wipe the back of the door and get inside the rubber seal, too - you won't believe the grime that build up under there!
6. De-clutter the garage or loft
Now’s the perfect time to sort out the garage and loft, if you have them. In the garage, have a good clear out - donate, recycle, freecycle or sell any unwanted or unused items. Take everything out and pop it on the driveway or in the garden while you sort through. Sweep the floor and remove any cobwebs. Next, buy or find storage solutions to help you organise everything before you put it back in. Use shelving units and plastic boxes with lids, and make sure anything you need regularly is easy to find.
In the loft, before you start your declutter, move everything to one side so you can seal any holes and gaps, check the insulation isn't worn through or uneven, and make sure there’s no mould or water coming in anywhere. Move to the other side and repeat.
7. Touch up your outdoor space
Start outside with the guttering. Using a long ladder and someone to hold it steady, remove built-up moss and leaves - this is also a chance to repair any gutter damage. If you’re not confident about doing this, seek a professional’s help. Give the outside of the gutters a clean too, with a clean, damp cloth.
Next, blast the insides of your bins with a jet washer or hosepipe and a little washing-up liquid. Mow the lawn, if you have one. For hard surfaces like patio or decking, first remove leaves and debris with a brush, and then clean with a jet wash.
Wipe down any garden furniture that’s been left outdoors all winter and clean outside window ledges and windows, as mildew and mould gathers there. Pay attention to the front door or porch area, too, removing cobwebs and cleaning outdoor lighting.
And that's it - your spring clean is complete. Phew, time for a cup of tea!
Pressed for time? Check out our 15-minute "cheat's" cleans, for a speedy bite-sized blitz - perfect when unexpected guests are on their way! And explore our cleaning section for tips and advice on keeping every corner of your home ship-shape, from tackling stubborn stains to choosing the best cleaning gadgets on the market.
