Spring Cleaning Hacks To Save You Time

Disclaimer! I’m no Mrs. Hinch when it comes to cleaning my home. I’m super organised. Everything is paired back, and everything has a place. But things get grubby and dusty (and often stay that way for a while!). And there’s a pair of muddy football boots outside our front door - always.

That said, I love when my home sparkles, and get a great deal of satisfaction from cleaning my home. So once a year when that spring light streams in our windows certain things get a deep clean. But as always I try to do things in the most efficient way… 

Shortcut to cleaning windows 

With young kids in the house focus on the interior, where the most dirt builds up, and don’t aim for perfection. For best results on exterior windows, choose a wind-free, overcast day as sunlight can leave streaks.

What you’ll need:

• Soft bristle brush (natural bristles tend to shed so use a synthetic one if possible)
• Two soft microfiber cloths
• Bucket filled with a few drops of washing up liquid for every 3 liters of warm water
• Hose
• Squeegee window wiper
• Gloves
• Sheet

What to do:

1. Close all the windows. Working on the exterior first use a soft bristle brush to remove debris and dust build-up.
2. Wash the exterior window with warm soapy water and a microfiber cloth.
3. Hose the widow to rinse away any residue suds.
4. Using the squeegee work your way down the window from left to right to remove any excess water and to leave the window sparkling and streak-free.  Tip: dry the squeegee with a cloth after each clean.
5. Take the bucket inside and lay down the sheet to catch any drips. Pour away the water and replace it with clean warm soapy water. With a fresh cloth dipped and wrung out, wash the windows from the outside corners in, using circular strokes.
6. Rinse away the suds with a clean damp cloth and warm water.
7. Using the squeegee remove the excess water from left to right and top to bottom. Wipe the squeegee with the cloth after each clean.

Time: About 20 minutes per window.

Shortcut to cleaning a mattresses

Clean a mattress with baking soda while its cover gets a thorough washing, followed by a tennis-ball tumble or a dose of fresh air. 

What you’ll need:

• Vanish Oxy Action 
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Sieve
• 2 new tennis balls

What to do:

1. Toss the mattress cover in the wash. If it’s stained, first soak in cold water with Vanish Oxy action. Then wash with detergent on the hottest setting recommended on the care label, adding 1 cup of white vinegar to deodorise.
2. Working directly over the mattress, pour baking soda into a sieve. Dust the mattress evenly with the soda, which will gradually draw dirt and moisture out of the mattress and eliminate odors. (You’ll leave this light dusting on the mattress when you remake the bed.)
3. When the wash cycle is complete, put the mattress cover in the dryer with a couple of clean tennis balls to fluff it back to form. You could also hang the cover outside on a line to dry.
4. Remake the bed. (Vacuum up the baking soda the next time you change the sheets.) 

Time: A morning to take care of three or four mattresses.

Shortcut to cleaning a microwave

Finally, clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all. 

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup of water
• Lemon
• Microwave-proof bowl

What to do:

1. Fill a large microwave-proof bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon
2. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for 5 minutes before opening the door. 
3. Remove and wipe the inside and outside with a sponge.

Time: 15 minutes.