Spring is in the air (or is that just pollen) and that means it is a great time to get into some spring cleaning. You might have read our Spring Cleaning Guide last year and whilst it was pretty comprehensive, here are a few extra things to add to your list to have your home sparkling clean!
When not used during winter ceiling fans accumulate dust, pollen and even grease and with the warmer weather on its way, the ceiling fans will be getting a workout. There are a couple of easy methods for clean ceiling fans.
The first method is the pillowcase method. Standing on a step ladder (or ladder), place an old pillowcase over the fan blade and gently pull as you wipe, trapping any dust inside. Repeat with the pillowcase on the other fan blades. Wipe any excess dirt and dust from the blades with a cloth and if the blades are greasy use a little of Tri Nature’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner to clean them. Shake the dust from the pillowcase outside and pop it into the washing machine to clean.
For the second method you should put an old sheet or drop cloth under the fan to catch any dust. Use a microfibre cloth or duster to gently wipe the dust from each blade onto the cloth below whilst standing on a step ladder or alternatively grab a microfibre duster on an extender pole to reach up and wipe the dust off the blades from the ground. It is also advisable to wear a hat or head covering if you are using an extender pole so that the falling dust doesn’t get in your hair. Once finished gather up the sheet and take it outside to shake out the dust and then pop it into the washing machine
Don’t forget to clean the light cover whilst you are there.
If your pet’s bed is getting a bit whiffy (or even if it is not) it is a good idea to wash your pet’s bedding and bed covers. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for washing to ensure you clean the items correctly.
For items that are machine washable just pop them into the washing machine with Tri Nature’s Laundry Liquid or Powder. If the item is hand wash only the Gentle Laundry Liquid is ideal for this task. Ensure the bed covers and bedding are thoroughly dry before replacing on the bed.
Plastic bags are almost a thing of the past (Yay!) which means that we are all now using our reusable shopping bags on a regular basis. When was the last time you washed your bags?
Most reusable bags including cotton bags, canvas bags and reusable polypropylene (green) shopping bags can be just washed in the washing machine with Tri Nature’s Laundry Liquid or Powder but if they have printed designs or decorative clasps they may need to be hand washed with the Gentle Laundry Liquid.
Always use cold water for washing the polypropylene (green) bags as high temperatures are not recommended and can cause the material to warp. Similarly, you will need to line dry them and avoid using the dryer.
If you tend to forget your reusable shopping bags and instead have a pile of paper bags building up why not take them to a charity shop for reuse or donate to a preschool to cut up for craft.
How long has it been since you emptied the crumb tray at the bottom of your toaster? It is a good idea to clean this regularly as the crumbs can attracts ants, cockroaches and other creepy crawlies. Ensuring the toaster is unplugged, simply pull the tray out of the bottom of the toaster and empty the crumbs into the bin. If the tray is a little dirty just give it a clean with some Tri Nature Dishwashing Liquid and water, ensuring it is thoroughly dry before returning the tray to the toaster.
It is also a great time to give the outside of the toaster a quick wipe down with a damp cloth. If you have a stainless steel toaster, using a very small amount of Tri Nature’s Stainless Steel Polish on the outside surfaces will leave it looking shiny and clean.
After cleaning your windows, you don’t want to have all that effort wasted because your window screens are dirty. Dirty window screens don’t look great and can also deposit dirt and dust onto your freshly cleaned windows (especially when it rains).
To give the screens a clean just remove them and take them outside. Give them a clean with some Tri Nature’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate diluted in a bucket and give them a gentle scrub with a brush on both sides and rinse them clean with the hose (on low pressure).
The saying out of sight out of mind rings true when it comes to cleaning. It is easy to forget surfaces that we can’t see and the tops of kitchen cupboards are a prime example of an area that is often overlooked.
Greasy and oily residues and dust build up on the top of your kitchen cupboards, but this can easily be removed with the Tri Nature Multi-Purpose Cleaner. Just spray a little onto the top of the cupboards and wipe off.
Now it is time to sit back and enjoy your lovely clean home.
Happy Spring Cleaning!
