Five Spring Cleaning Tips

Let’s face it, no one likes cleaning (except maybe that obsessive compulsive flatmate you had back in 2008). But there’s no denying that a solid spring clean feels damn good. Here are our five top tips for a speedy and successful spring clean.

Clean the cleaners: We rely so much on our dishwashers and our vacuum cleaners but sometimes you’ve got to clean the cleaners. Run your dishwasher on empty to get rid of food build ups. Help your vacuum cleaner out by changing the bag or emptying the months of built up dog hair from the filters. It’ll do a much better job for you in return.

Play it safe: Not all products are ok for all surfaces or appliances. This is particularly important if you’re in a new home. For example, harsh chemical sprays can be damaging to surfaces and inside the fridge. At Thrive, you can upgrade to have Caesarstone benchtops in your home, which requires very little maintenance to keep them looking like new. All you need is warm soapy water, a mild detergent and a clean damp cloth.  Also, be careful with carpet cleaners; there’s nothing worse than your good intentions making a carpet mess even worse!

Sharing isn’t caring: Try to have separate sponges for the different areas of the home (having different colours for different rooms is an easy fix). It sounds obvious but it’s definitely worthwhile when you actually think about the potential risks of spreading your bathroom bacteria over the breakfast bar. It’s also a good idea to wash your sponges (you can pop them in the dishwasher for a good disinfecting) but once they start to discolour or disintegrate, it’s time for them to go.

Open the windows: Sure, we’ve all been trying to save money throughout winter by keeping the house sealed against the elements, but with spring in the air it’s time to open up. Cleaning creates dust and stirs up toxins so let it all out by opening up the windows, or if you’re in one of our home designs, open up the doors to your alfresco area and let the fresh spring air and natural light flood in. A bit of fresh air and sunlight can also help reduce the condensation that can cause mould.

Don’t go it alone: Many hands make light work so get the kids involved or write a list for your other half. Do whatever it takes but do not go it alone! Did someone say microfiber mopping slippers for the mother in law’s next birthday?