10 SPRING CLEANING JOBS

10 Spring Cleaning Jobs

1.Clean the cupboards.
Take everything out of your cupboards, clean the insides, sort out the contents and return the items you are sure you want to keep. Take it one cupboard at a time so the task doesn’t overwhelm you.

2.Clean the curtains and the tracks.
Some fabrics can only be dry cleaned so do check the care instructions on your curtains before chucking them in the washing machine. Dust the curtain track thoroughly. If it’s plastic wipe it with a damp cloth. When it’s dry, polish it with a cloth sprayed with a little silicone polish to keep the track running smoothly. Rub metal tracks with a little metal polish then buff up with a clean dry duster.

3.Move the furniture.
Shift the furniture so you can clean behind it and under it. You may be amazed at the long forgotten items you’ll discover!

4.Dust the ceiling.
Tie a large duster onto the head of a clean broom and gently sweep it across the ceiling, making sure you don’t hit or damge the light fittings along the way.

5.Clean the lights.
Switch of the electricity AT THE MAINS then remove the bulb and lampshade. Wipe the outside of the ceiling fitting with a dry cloth then dust the glass part of the bulb and clean the lampshade.

6.Clean behind the radiators.
Parts of the radiator can be reached using a vacuum cleaner with a narrow attachment but you’ll need a paddle duster to reach right down behind it. Improvise if you haven’t got one by straightening out a wire coat hanger and tying an old sock over the end.

7.Dust and wash the walls.
Dust the walls using a long handled duster. Before you wash painted walls test a small patch out in an unobtrusive area before you start. Most painted walls can be washed using a warm solution of water and washing up liquid. Rinse with warm clean water after washing. For papered walls, if your wallpaper is washable it can be sponged down with warm water and washing up liquid as before. Wring out the cloth or sponge really well so you don’t get the paper too wet! Clean the marks of non-washable wallpaper by using an artist’s white eraser. Try to remove grease stains by holding a piece of absorbent paper over the stain and ironing with a warm iron.

8.Wash the paintwork.
Start at the top of the room and work downwards, using a warm solution of water and washing up liquid. Don’t use detergent as this can alter the colour of some paints.

9.Shampoo the carpet and clean the floor.
You can shampoo carpets on your hands and knees but if you have a lot of carpet in your home you may not fancy it! Consider hiring a carpet cleaner or calling in the professionals.

10.Clean bookcases.
Completely empty your bookcases and get rid of any books you no longer want. Dust the books with an acrylic duster holding the book firmly shut so you don’t damage the pages. Clean the shelves thoroughly and replace your books.