Every South African should be familiar with the Spring Cleaning movement. But, cleaning your home does more than refresh the interior.
Here's how to make your home more appealing and attract potential buyers.
1. Deodorise
Never underestimate the power of a fresh and inviting scent. Musty or animal-smelling homes are less than ideal. It is important to remove odours from furniture by following the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.
Complement the room with auto-activated air fresheners or light incense sticks.
2. Clean drains
If you've tackled all your surfaces but still detect a hint of foul smells, it may be time to look at your drains. They're often overlooked when cleaning because we don't see their insides, but some debris may be left behind that can cause quite a stench.
To remove the smell, pour half a cup of baking soda and equal amounts of vinegar down the drains. Then cover and wait 15 minutes. After that, use boiling water to flush away hair clogs and clear your pipes.
3. Surface maintenance
Tiny scratches on your floor or pet hair on carpets and furniture can be visually irritating. Treat wooden blemishes with a blend of vinegar and olive oil; a 50/50 ratio should work. However, it's important to note the manufacturer's actual maintenance requirements.
You can remove pet hair from cloth surfaces (furniture or carpets) by dampening a rubber glove and running it over the fabric.
4. Dust off ceiling fans/blinds
Allergies tend to pick up during Springtime, and one way to combat this is to clear dust. Use a pillowcase to cover each blade of your fan. The pillowcase can trap the dust and avoid triggering allergies while cleaning or spreading the dust to another surface.
For blinds, you can use a microfibre cloth or a small blind duster. Remember to open them and work from the top to the bottom so you don't have to re-wipe the bottom section once you're at the top.
5. Salt and vinegar agents
Expensive cleaners aren't always the best cleaning solution. Consider removing sticky residue from your iron with salt sprinkled on paper. For the most effective results, the iron should be hot and steam-free.
Use a vinegar-soaked cloth on stainless steel appliances and buff it dry for a streak-free finish.
These are just a few tips to rejuvenate your space. Ultimately, your Spring cleaning routine should match your needs.
