Never Too Late for a Spring Clean: 30 Tricks to Refresh Your Space

Ready for a refresh?

The traditional domestic spring clean dates back centuries. It's that cathartic time of year when we wave goodbye to the dark days of winter and welcome in the new season by clearing out the old and making our homes feel like new. But if the thought of blitzing every room from top to bottom seems like an overwhelming undertaking, then check out these nifty tips and tricks for transforming your home or backyard. Click or scroll on for the ultimate clean-up routine.

Have a cleaning plan

If a huge clean-up fills you with dread, break the chores down into bite-size pieces you can handle. Creator of The Organised Mum Method, Gemma Bray, takes on a more traditional housework structure with a weekly rota that works. Choose a room every day and give it just half an hour of devoted time. Before long it will be part of your daily living routine and the dreaded spring clean won't take over your life—it may even be fun. 

Set up supplies

Before you begin a big clean up make sure you are well-prepared for the job. Do a stock check of cleaning products you already own and replenish the pantry with what's missing. As well as conventional chemical products, natural supplies work well and are kinder for the environment. Your green cleaning basket should contain lemon juice, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, salt and olive oil. Don't forget to MOT your vacuum cleaner and refresh brooms, dustpans and brushes.

Organize your make-up and medicine vanity

It's so easy to amass duplicates of make-up, medicines and other bathroom essentials. This spring, go through your bathroom storage and make-up bags and throw out anything that's out of date, empty or no longer of use. Don't forget to check the use-by dates on any medical supplies you might have. Once you've completed your purge, get organizing and create a sleek, structured space for all your essentials that any 'cleanfluencer' would be proud to show off.

Shampoo the carpets

Our carpets really get the brunt of it over the year, with endless feet trampling in dirt, pet shedding and accidental spills. If your carpets are looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to give them a good shampoo. For the task, you can hire a carpet cleaning machine, or buy one to keep, before choosing a good quality carpet shampoo with built-in stain protection. With a little work now, you can keep your flooring looking fabulous until next year.

Freshen up your pet beds and declutter their toys

After muddy winter walks and trips out in the rain, your four-legged friend might be in need of a bath. But what about their bed? Often overlooked, dog beds can soon become smelly, so take a look at the cleaning instructions on the label and give yours a refresh. You might also have accumulated a staggering amount of dog toys, so take a moment to have a clear out, throwing away any that have seen better days or that don't get played with very often. The same applies to any pungent cat beds and play toys!

Declutter the entryway

Create an open and welcoming entryway by undertaking a thorough clean and declutter. Put away winter outwear until autumn, shed outdated letters from the mail rack, vacuum out the shoe storage and replace the worn-out doormat with a new and colorful version. 

Sanitize all the surfaces

It's always important to keep your home clean and germ-free. Give your kitchen and bathroom surfaces (including floors and tiles) a good clean with hot soapy water or sugar soap to remove grease and dirt. Follow up with a steam mop, disinfectant or diluted bleach to get rid of any nasties. Move mobile kitchen islands, tables and storage units and sweep out any forgotten areas. Wipe down cabinetry fronts and baseboards and freshen up your backsplash with a grouting pen if needed.

Circulate your closet

The new season brings with it lighter evenings and warmer days, so it's time to pack away the winter knits and restock your closets with lighter clothes. Vacuum-pack the bulky items to maximize storage space and then try to arrange your new summer closet in a way that's practical and attractive to look at. You might choose to order your items by color or perhaps group them by occasion. 

Tackle the smaller gadgets

As well as large appliances, give smaller kitchen staples an MOT too. Decrumb and clean the toaster, and don't forget to descale the coffee machine. This is also a great opportunity to clean and restock caddies and dry food jars. Don't forget to sanitize overlooked appliance handles and buttons, too.

Sort out the soft furnishings

Cozy nights at home over the winter will have taken their toll on your sofas and armchairs, so now's the time to give your seating a good deodorize and clean. If you're able to, remove and machine-wash sofa cushion covers, or you can vacuum them and sponge any stains. Give them a good airing outside in the sunshine, and beat the cushions to clear out dust and dander. If your living room is in need of a lift, you can always add a few new cushion covers in bold hues to refresh the space. 

Create a home for everything

As the mantra goes, a tidy house means a tidy home, and creating a storage place for everything can really help to keep things organized throughout the year. After you've completed a thorough declutter, invest in beautiful stacking storage boxes that can clear away any chaos and clutter in an instant.

Clean up appliances

All that winter comfort cooking will have no doubt taken its toll on the range and the stovetop. Make your larger appliances sparkle again in preparation for cooking sizzling summer dishes. A thorough clean will banish grease and food residue, which can lead to smoke and unpleasant odors. As well as cleaning the inside of your appliances don't forget the outside, and be sure to clean the temperature knobs and cooking plates in warm soapy water. Wiping down stainless steel fixtures with olive oil creates a shiny finish. 

Dust high and low

A good cleaning checklist should require you to use every extension your vacuum cleaner has to offer. It's surprising how much dust can accumulate in forgotten places hidden from vision. So, click on that crevice attachment and hoover up any dust that's accumulated on top of doors and door frames, wood panels and high open shelves, as well under sofa cushions, bed frames and kitchen baseboards. 

Have a toy cull

As well as a pre-Christmas toy tidy, a springtime toy clear out will prevent toys from taking over your home. Put broken toys in the recycling where possible and donate games that have been outgrown. If saying goodbye to your little ones' toys is a problem, why not store some in the attic or garage first? If they haven't mentioned them in a month or so it's safe to throw them out without leading to tantrums.

Patch up walls

Grease and scuff marks are a common problem in pale, neutral rooms. Always have spare labeled paint pots in the right shade for each room so any marks can be easily covered. High-traffic areas such as entryways, living rooms and kitchens will need special attention. A sugar soap washdown is essential to remove stubborn grease marks before painting. 

Air out the rugs

Lift up rugs to vacuum and remove dirt from underneath. If you can, have them dry-cleaned or hire a professional carpet cleaner. If neither of these is an option, take them outside and give them a good beating with a tennis racket, broom or anything you can get your hands on (you may want to wear a mask to stop you from breathing in all the dust). Spot-clean any stains or even run the hose over it if it's made of a suitable material, such as cotton or synthetic fibers. Finally, use a spray-on fabric freshener with a clean fragrance. 

Organize the laundry cupboard

You only have to take a look at #taptotidy on social media to see there is nothing more satisfying than an organized laundry cupboard. Start with plenty of shelf space and then use easy-to-reach storage baskets to create compartments for your fabulously folded sheets and towels. A color-coordinated theme is key to an Instagram-worthy finish. 

Perfect the pantry

Pantries are on many kitchen design wish lists, but it requires work to keep them coordinated and orderly. First, remove everything and clean the shelves. Discard any products that have passed their use-by date. Group together tins, dry ingredients, cereals, condiments and herbs and spices, using baskets, boxes and labels so it's easy to keep track of your stock. Finally, make sure all labels are facing outwards.  

Unblock sinks and drains

Kitchen sink, bath and shower drains can kick up a nasty stink so now's the time to run a heavy-duty cleaner or natural alternative through the pipework. Any accumulated hair or food will need to be removed. Then you can try Mrs Hinch's odor-banishing drain recipe, which consists of baking soda, white vinegar, natural lemon and boiling water. 

Dust shutters and blinds

Streamlined shutters are a stylish trend, but the slatted design is a real dust magnet! A blind brush is a clever time-saving duster that has three sleeves that slot in between the bars. A crevice vacuum attachment should also work well on shutters, as well as doing a good job on regular curtains and blinds, too. 

Brighten the bookshelves

Revamp your shelves and make some space with a good clean and declutter. Filter out any books that no longer hold sentimental value by passing them on to friends or giving them to charity, as well as recycling magazines that are now out of date. Try not to overload surfaces with accessories; stick to displaying items in threes for a clean and balanced look. 

Launder comforters

Pack away your warmer blankets and bring out the lighter comforters and throws. If you can, put them in the washing machine before you dress your bed, but if not give them an airing for an instant refresh. While they are airing, vacuum and turn your mattress over and open your bedroom windows. Leave your mattress uncovered for at least a few hours; airing can help to reduce germs and bacteria.

Free up countertops

Clear away clutter from countertops and revive your kitchen surfaces with a specialized cleaner. Polish up granite to restore its natural shine and give natural oak an oil to renew its finish and protect it from any stains. 

Polish the mirrors

As with windows, mirrors make a huge difference to light levels in homes as they reflect light and maximize the sense of space. Professional cleaning service MollyMaid suggests removing hairspray, watermarks and greasy fingerprints with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth, before spraying the mirror with a cleaning solution. To finish, use a microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine. 

Brush off ceiling lights

Whilst linens are being laundered or updated, move the bed and take down any pendant light shades. Light bulbs get changed regularly but how often do you clean your lampshades? Make sure the power is turned off, then remove the shade to dust or vacuum, giving it a sponge clean if necessary and leaving it to dry before reattaching. Repeat on table lamps and bases. 

Liven up linens

Put away the cozy comforters and bring out lighter and more refreshing cotton linens. Soft colors and pretty floral prints will make your bedroom feel sunny, but anything in a pale or bright color will lift the room for the new season ahead. Spring nights can still be chilly though so do add a warm throw or quilt on top until summer arrives. 

Finish with flowers

Once your house is cleaned and decluttered, you might feel inspired to go for a full redecorating project. If that seems a bit daunting after all that cleaning, bring in some seasonal flowers and foliage to fill your sparkling home with a fresh fragrance. Why not create a pretty wreath for the entryway to mark the new season? 

Wash the windows

The quickest way to make a room feel ready for spring is to clean and open the windows, letting the fresh air and new light in. A window vac is an easy and effective gadget for streak-free panels, or you can simply use vinegar and newspaper for a streak-free finish.

Power-wash yard paths

Don't forget the outside, too! Over the course of winter, pathways, patios and driveways become riddled with grime and weeds. So, before your backyard is filled with friends soaking up the sunshine, tackle the issue by investing in a pressure washer. These machines make removing dirt and moss incredibly easy thanks to their powerful water jet. Just ensure you clear the area before you start and sweep away any loose debris. and don't forget to wear goggles to protect your eyes. If you don't want to buy a washer, you can hire one instead.

Clean the BBQ

Weather permitting, it's likely you'll soon be inviting family and friends around for alfresco meals, so there's really never been a better time to deep-clean the BBQ. Whether you have an amazing outdoor kitchen setup or a small coal-fired BBQ, it will have been gathering dust and cobwebs since last year. Grab a bucket of warm soapy water and get to work—just think of the reward of freshly chargrilled food when you're done. If there's any stubborn rust, follow this clever hack shared by Home Essentials: get out the ketchup (yes, really), and simply apply a small amount to any affected areas and leave for a few minutes. Then wipe away for dazzling results!

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