Unsung Spring-Cleaning Jobs You May Not Have Thought Of

Spring is well and truly here, and so is our desire to clean! So, you’ve turned over the bed, wiped clean your kitchen cupboards and your barbecue is looking brand new again. Job done, right? Well, it’s certainly a great start.

So while the cleaning bug is in your veins, why not give the following areas and items a going over, too! Our cleaning ideas are also kind to the environment – no toxic chemicals or smelly bleaches in sight!

In the Kitchen

Detox your oven. Some oven cleaners can be highly toxic. A little tip: bicarbonate of soda, also known as bicarb, can tackle any burned-on grime. Simple scrape off as much of the grime as you can, then mix plenty of bicarb with a little water to make a thick paste. Spread it all over the sides and bottom of the oven (make sure the oven is cold) and leave to set overnight. The next day, wipe it all down with hot water. If necessary, repeat the process.

Clean and deodorise your microwave. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 115ml water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Place the mixture in the microwave and ‘cook’ on high for 2 minutes. Remove the bowl and simply wipe the moistened inside of the microwave clean.

De-scale your kettle. To de-scale your kettle, empty and pour white vinegar over the element. Leave for one hour before rinsing it with cold water. Pour fresh water into the kettle to cover the element. Boil it, then throw this water away. Done!

In the Bedroom

Swap pillows. Question: How long have you been sleeping on that pillow of yours? Can you recall the last time you bought a new one? If not, it’s time for a change. While you’re busy stripping the bed of those thick woollen and electric blankets, think about swapping over those pillows, too. Look for pillows that contain natural materials such as down, wool, organic cotton and natural latex.

Adopt feng shui in your wardrobe. Lavender has long been considered an ancient symbol of love and cleanliness, so why not use it to wash and freshen the clothes hanging your wardrobe Feng shui experts also sometimes burn lavender sticks to shift negative stagnant energy in a home and create a feeling of space, so you could also give this a go.

In the Bathroom

Clean your tile area. Scrub grouting between floor and wall tiles with a mixture of baking soda and water on an old toothbrush. Work the baking soda paste into the grout, then rinse off with clean water.

Opt for a natural drain cleaner. Clean drainage holes by rubbing with a cut lemon. And instead of resorting to bleach, flush boiling water and a handful of salt down any blocked or unpleasant-smelling drains.

Inside the Home

Wipe over door handles. Think of how many times door handles are used every day and how many germs might be lingering there. A simple way to clean and disinfect them in one go is with a cloth dampened with a little eucalyptus oil.

Outside the Home

Go heavy-duty on the windows. Chemical window cleaners are expensive and leave a strong odour and streaks. Try making your own cleaner – one that’s cheaper, smells great and is more environmentally friendly.

HERE’S HOW: Combine 300ml distilled water, 150ml white vinegar and five drops each of lemon and lavender essential oils. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto glass before wiping over with a clean cloth.

BONUS TIP: Try washing your windows on a cloudy day and not in direct sunlight – streaks are caused by the cleaning

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