This Is How You Should Spring Clean Your Home

Your home deserves a thorough cleansing at least once a year! In fact, nothing invigorates the home environment like a good bit of dusting, scrubbing and mopping. However, these cleaning tasks are more of a routine affair (or should be).

For the ultimate New Year cleanse though, you’ll want to take housework to the next level and zoom in on what matters. From tackling oft-forgotten tasks to making quick fixes, here’s a guide to getting your home looking fantastically fresh and clean this 2018.

1. Flip Your Mattress

Interior Designer: Moonlit Inspiration

There's a reason why your mattress has two sides. If you haven’t tried flipping them, you really should; because ones that aren’t flipped regularly tend to wear out sooner. Depending on the quality and age of your mattress, you’ll need to flip it at least once every three months! This will help even out the sag in mattresses and keep it in quality shape for a longer period of time.

2. Clean the Inside of Your Washing Machine

Interior Designer: Nevermore Design

Remember, your key to getting fresh, clean clothes lies in proper washing machine upkeep! Your washer can quickly accumulate grime and gunk, and ideally, should be cleaned out more than once a year, depending on your usage. Wipe away build-up inside the machine with a clean cloth dipped in warm water and vinegar (do make sure that the electrical connection is turned off first).

If your machine has an odour or mildew build-up, follow this guide instead for a DIY remedy, using all-natural ingredients.

3. Perform a Quick Declutter

Interior Designer: The Roof Studio

It’s close to impossible to have your home looking neat and tidy if it’s cluttered with unnecessary pieces. An easy and quick way to declutter? Apply Coco Chanel’s advice for fashion to your interior decor - in every room, pick out and remove two items in your space that you don't use or don't need anymore. You'd be surprised - even this tiny bit of simplification can help refine the overall décor in your home.

4. Get Your Carpets Shampooed or Cleaned

Interior Designer: SQFT Space Design Management

Don't make the New Year season an allergy season too. Carpets are magnets for dust, dirt and allergens. Apart from having it vacuumed weekly and sun-dried to release odours from time to time, you should also have it professionally cleaned at least once a year. This will help prolong its lifespan and keep it looking fresh!

Interior Designer: Meridian Interior Design

Of course, professional cleaning can be expensive - so if you have plans to DIY, here’s a guide for deep cleaning your carpet.

5. Polish for Sparkle

Interior Designer: The Roof Studio

Give your home an extra bit of razzle dazzle with polish! Wipe down and shine your handles, brass and copper knobs, faucets and anything else that could do with a spot of polish. Once properly cleaned, your bathroom and kitchen will likely reflect a like-new feeling.

Interior Designer: Torch Empire

To prep for polishing, wash faucets with warm water and mild soap. Then, with equal parts of water and baking soda, make a paste, apply to the faucet and let it dry. Then rinse and wipe down with a spot of baby oil to give it a glossy finish.

6. Don’t Forget - Maintenance!

Interior Designer: SQFT Space Design Management

Once your home is clean, go a step further this New Year and survey if anything needs to be repaired or restored. Remember that your home can look dishevelled or aged, even if smaller pieces appear frayed.
Examine your accent pieces, art and other home décor accessories, like statues, figurines and painting frames, to see if they need to be restored or replaced.

For larger jobs in the home like restoring bannisters and flooring or dealing with mildew on walls, etc. it’s best to consult with a professional.

Here’s wishing you a happy home and a Happy New Year!

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