It’s time for a spring clean! At last, the cold weather is breaking and the sun and spring flowers are making an appearance. It is time to pack up winter clothes, throws and blankets and set our sights on the warmer days to come.
Everyone feels better after a thorough spring clean and there is no better time to wipe away the cobwebs than the run up to Easter. If you are expecting guests over the holiday, this is another good reason to plan one of the most important cleaning events of the year.
Plan your spring clean
Planning your spring clean means you won’t become overwhelmed. There is no need to feel pressurised! It is far easier to organise short scalable tasks in one small area of your home (around an important window for example) than take on too much and feel deflated and exhausted. It is very important to use this time to relax and enjoy some mindfulness. When you clean, just clean!
Here are some tips to help you create a successful spring clean:
- Encourage all the family to take part. Spring cleaning can be an activity to share. No one should miss out on the satisfaction and reward of contributing to the spring clean. There are so many varied tasks – you are sure to find one that suits the people who share your home.
- Open all the windows and doors. Choose a sunny, breezy day and let the fresh air in! This is especially important in rooms where damp & moisture build up – kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms and places where air flow is restricted.
- Use your diffuser in the area where you are working. If you have a diffuser, this is a great time to enjoy the relaxing aromas of a good essential oil blend. Make sure you always choose certified organic oils and look out for anti-bacterial and anti-viral blends that give your home a spring spritz.
- Clean windows. Choose a cloudy day as sunshine will mean that the cleaner dries quickly leaving streaks and marks on your windows. Vinegar and water or an organic window cleaning spray are the best for refreshing and deodorising your windows. Clean window frames with an organic sanitiser on a washable cloth. After the long winter months, window cleaning is one of the very best tasks to lift the spirits.
- Clean blinds and vacuum curtains. While you are working on a window it makes sense to wipe blinds with a damp cloth and organic sanitiser or vacuum curtains. Use the brush head attachment on your vacuum and work from top to bottom. Removing dust and allergens is particularly helpful if you suffer from hay fever and pollen allergies as these often become worse as spring progresses.
- Clean lighting. Dust can build up over the winter and lighting can become dim and lose up to 30% of its power. For bright lights, make a plan to clean those hard-to-reach lighting fixtures. Enlisting help is sensible and always make safety a priority. Turn off the electricity or remove the bulb and clean with organic sanitiser on a damp cloth. Dry off with a washable cloth. Yellowed glass on light fixtures can be improved by soaking in vinegar.
- Remove black mould. Over the winter, condensation often leads to a build-up of black mould particularly around bathroom and kitchen windows or in areas with little light and poor air flow. It is always best to wear a mask when you are removing black mould. Spray the area with an organic anti-bacterial cleaner and wipe off with a cloth or scrub with a brush. Always make sure to rinse cloths and brushes very carefully. Afterwards, dry the area thoroughly and ventilate as often as possible.
- Clean touch points. We can touch up to 300 surfaces in 30 minutes so it is a good idea to focus on those areas that can get forgotten. An organic sanitiser is ideal for this task because it is not too bubbly and can be pumped straight from the bottle onto a washable cloth. As you move through your home, focus on light switches and pulls, door handles, cupboard knobs, loo flushers, toilet paper dispensers, towel rails, as well as the edges of tables and worktops. Make sure you rinse your cloth regularly to remove pathogens.
- Launder all bedding and clean mattresses. Spring is a great time to wash duvets, toppers, bed covers and pillows removing any build-up of dead skin, bacteria and dust mites. Use an organic laundry liquid and wash at 60 degrees for cotton or on a wool wash if your duvet and pillows are made from wool. Adding a few drops of an organic anti-bacterial and anti-viral essential oil blend will help keep your bedding fresh. Open your bedroom windows and then vacuum or brush your mattress, turning it after you have finished cleaning. If you opt to vacuum, use the soft brush attachment and a low power option.
- The average adult loses 285 ml fluid at night, so it is very important to air beds during the day, especially as temperatures hot up. Trapped moisture will affect your mattress, so as a protective measure, air your bed daily in spring & summer and keep the windows open where practical.
- Clean pet bedding, baskets and toys. After a long winter, dogs & cat often start to moult so this is a good time to review pet bedding. Wash bedding and soft toys at 40-60 degrees with an organic laundry liquid and add a few drops of an organic anti-bacterial essential oil blend to help disinfect pet laundry. Baskets should be cleaned with an organic multi-surface spray and dried carefully.
Final thoughts
Spring cleaning can be very positive and uplifting but it is essential to use organic cleaning products for a safe, healthy experience for the whole family. Greenscents produces a full range of certified organic household products for the optimum sustainable spring clean. For more information www.greenscents.co.uk.
Further Reading
https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/adults/
https://blog.eoscu.com/blog/cleaning-house-part-4-touch-points
https://zenhabits.net/mindful-simplicity/
https://www.destinationlighting.com/fliptheswitch/dos-and-donts-for-cleaning-light-fixtures/
https://restless.co.uk/leisure-and-lifestyle/home-garden/top-tips-for-a-successful-spring-clean/