There is a huge phenomenon right now around cleaning the home. Instagram accounts are popping up with cleaning tips and garnering millions of followers who hang on every word of these ‘gurus’!
Whether it is because we all have a pack mentality or a hidden desire for a spotless home there is one thing we can be sure of. The fact we need some shortcuts now and again to maintain this flawless lifestyle. A little black book of cleaning tips so, as busy parents, we don’t have to spend hours on maintenance.
There are certain jobs that, if they are done once a month, will help with a quick clean. Knowing how difficult it can be to clean as a parent, and knowing how much time cleaning can take up, I’ve been challenged by interiors specialists Terrys Fabrics to discuss my top 5 tops for those all-important once a month jobs, and hopefully, they will help you just as much as they help me!
The first thing that is usually overlooked is woodwork. Skirting boards, door frames, picture rails etc. A bowl of warm water with a little fabric softener is the ideal solution. Using a rag cloth simply wipe over all wooden surfaces to rid dust and finger prints.
A window cleaner may be the ideal solution to the outside. Inside, a quick clean of window dressings or blinds can make things seem so much clearer. An easy way to clean blinds would be to make sure you buy ones that can be machine washed. Even those that can be wiped down with a damp cloth are preferable to those you need to send out to be dry cleaned. This saves money in the long run too. Keep on top of cleaning once a month and stains will not deepen.
Limescale build up can be a nightmare to remove. With that it is best to keep on top of it before it gets to the point of no return. A simple mix of lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda will break down any limescale deposits and stop more from forming.
Clean out cupboards, refrigerator and freezer at least once a month. This will be a simple job once you have tackled it the first time. That first time may be daunting but be ruthless and throw out or donate anything you haven’t or won’t use. As the months pass you will realise that you are less likely to be adding to the bulging cupboards. You will find that the need for a clear out soon won’t be necessary.
Paperwork can be a nightmare, especially when it comes to hot spots. Those places where mess can build up without you realising it. It could be a table top, windowsill, dresser. Where ever your hot spot is, tackle it once a month to make sure that unnecessary paperwork, leaflets, menus etc are recycled and not left to make places look untidy.
