National Spring Cleaning Week
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Why You Should Clean Before Moving House

5/26/2017

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​If you will soon be moving house, you might find yourself wondering whether you are expected to clean the place before you vacate. There is a bit of an overhanging question mark atop this one. Some would ask, why bother? You don’t live there anymore and it was clean enough (probably.) You have your new home to clean. But removal experts at Compare My Move suggest that there is a certain level of courtesy that should be adhered to. There is no legal obligation to clean your home before moving out but there is perhaps a moral obligation to do so. Think about how keen you are to get settled into your new home, your old home is the ‘new home’ to someone else and they're looking forward to moving in just as much as you are, so why not make the effort to give it one last clean before you go?

There are cleaning standards when it comes to moving house. All that is really necessary is a general standard of cleaning that everyone could and should follow. Just do the basics, that way, you can focus on all the many other jobs involved in a house move. Let’s face it, it’s a very busy time. Some people go a little further and will complete, what we will call a ‘gold’ standard of cleaning, and then there are the house gods and goddesses among us that won’t leave the home without applying anything less than a platinum standard of cleaning and courtesy. Let’s run through these standards below:

General Standard:
We will say that the general standard is what is ‘expected’ from a moral/courteous point of view. Basically, if you want to sleep well on your first night in your new home without wincing at the thought of a stranger cleaning the soap splash marks from the shower you had that morning, then you will do the basic level of cleaning:
  • Clean the kitchen counter tops and any built-in appliances
  • Clean the oven
  • Clean all the floors
  • Bleach the sinks and baths
  • Wipe down all surfaces

Gold Standard:
There are some among us (and you know who you are) that can’t bear the thought of anybody thinking that you didn’t keep your home spotless. You will feel compelled to do more than is really necessary. But you now what? That’s really nice of you so, go ahead. If you feel like the place should be left in a great condition then you can go as far as to tick off the ‘General Standard’ list and on top of that:
  • Clean inside all cupboards
  • Wipe down all the walls
  • Pressure wash the driveway, patio and front door
  • Clean the windows

Platinum Standard:
Ok, so this is reserved for the ‘Bree Van De Kamps’ of the world. If you are a desperate housewife or desperate house husband for that matter, then you might want to go all out and treat the new occupants of your home to the platinum standard. This would involve everything on the general and the gold list plus:
  • Leave behind a bottle of wine and a card to welcome them to their new home
  • Leave behind the details of the removal company you used
  • Write little notes and instructions for built-in appliances or tricky doors
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This may all be a little over the top. At the very least, the decent thing to do is a quick clean or clean as you go along when you’re packing or loading up the truck on moving day. We have all done the stunned gasp when a sofa or side unit is moved and we see the colony of dust bunnies that appear to reside there. Quickly sweep or vacuum and just give the place a swift once-over. 
When you get to your new home, you will be relieved to find that the previous owner there has extended the same courtesy to you. Finding a nice clean home that you can put your furniture straight into will make for a positive and happy moving day, and that’s why you should clean before moving house.

For more information on how to move house, visit the good people over at CompareMyMove.com, who wrote this guest blog. 
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Spring Cleaning History  - Dmitri Karamarinov

3/17/2017

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​Spring cleaning has been traced all the way back to 3000 years b.c. when it was an integral part of traditions to do with renewal. There are several cleaning traditions around this time of year that can traced back to different countries and cultures all around the world.
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Traces of this cleaning ritual can be observed in the Iranian Festival of Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year. This festivity begins on the first day of spring (March 21st). To prepare for Norouz, the Iranian population practices "khooneh tekouni", which translates as “shaking the house”. This ritual includes thorough cleaning of all rooms and surfaces in the household and is believed to be the predecessor of modern spring cleaning. 

​For some, this rigorous form of cleaning originated from an ancient Jewish custom that involved a thorough cleaning of the house. This was done in order to prepare for Passover – a springtime feast generally held at the beginning of April. For the duration of this holiday, it is strictly forbidden to eat any sort of leavened food, “chametz” crumbs included. Spring cleaning is therefore done to eliminate all traces of this food from the home. 

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 ​Ninyabaat is a holiday that the Chinese celebrate just before the Chinese New Year arrives. Usually, the festivities take the country by storm on the 28th day of the 12th month of the Lunar calendar.
The point of this festivity is to cleanse the Chinese home from any bad luck or misfortune. It also involves throwing rubbish and broken household items away. Sweeping, however, is strictly forbidden as you may accidentally “sweep away” your good fortune. When everything is sparkling clean, the Chinese hang paper couplets that are said to attract fortune and good luck.

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3 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN AFTER SPRING CLEANING

3/14/2017

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So we've decluttered and dusted and we've washed, wiped, and waved goodbye to our surplus stuff during National Spring Cleaning Week. If you’re now eager to see how you can keep your home clean and tidy, then take a look at APDO member Chrissy Halton of Innerspace ID's 3 favourite tips to help you see long lasting results after your deep clean. After all – you’ve put in all the hard work to really tackle your home from start to finish, it would be a shame to waste your efforts by not making it last as long as possible. Let's get going, shall we....
 

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A Pick & Mix approach to make Spring Cleaning palatable!

3/10/2017

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​So you've heard it's National Spring Cleaning Week this week and somehow it’s Friday already. If you haven’t lifted your little finger (let alone an entire marigold glove) to start your spring clean, then APDO member Jules Langford (Clutter to Cleared) gives us a light-hearted look at making the task more palatable this weekend. It's a real sweet treat! Tuck in!
 
Jules is based in Croydon but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.
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10 Things You Forget To Clean

3/9/2017

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​So you've been working your way through the house this week for National Spring Cleaning Week but have you remembered everything? APDO member Mona Kay (The Organising Ninja) gives us a quick reminder on some of the most easily overlooked parts in our homes and how to tackle them most effectively. Watch out! She leaves no stone unturned!
 
Mona is based in Nottingham covering the East Midlands but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.
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Spring Cleaning: clearing the cobwebs on your paperwork and desk

3/8/2017

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Your desk and paperwork may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of spring cleaning.  But spring cleaning and maintaining your desk space in both your home and workplace can help reduce stress and make you more productive.  For National Spring
Cleaning Week APDO member Ceri Wall of Midlands-based Organised Life has put together her top tips to help you conquer paper, update your filing system and much more.

Ceri is based in Birmingham but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.
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Dreaming Of Calm

3/7/2017

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APDO members understand that letting a professional organiser into your home to help you get organised can sometimes be a daunting prospect. Hear a client’s perspective on a decluttering session with APDO member Helen Sanderson (Creating Calm from Clutter) in this funny and moving blog poem  about Bec's decluttering experience.

Helen is based in North London but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.
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Spring  Clean the Heart of the Home

3/6/2017

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The kitchen is often called the heart of the home so there's no better place to kick-start National Spring Cleaning Week. Brace yourself for APDO member Doreen Uzice's motivating tips and downright terrifying statistics to get your running for your disinfectant this National Spring Cleaning Week!
 
Doreen is based in East London but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.
  
Read  Doreen Uzice's full article by clicking the button below:​​
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Full Article
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Spring Cleaning Week and APDO Partnership

3/3/2017

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National Spring Cleaning Week have joined forces with APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers for the first time this March. Their members are the UK's experts in decluttering and organising your spaces to create a more functional and uplifting environment.
Here APDO President, Ingrid Jansen, Organise Your House tells us about the difference between cleaning, spring cleaning, decluttering and organising as we prepare for National Spring Cleaning Week on Monday. See the article here.
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How to Spring Clean Room by Room - Checklist, Speed-Cleaning Ideas and Tips

2/28/2017

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​Spring cleaning week is almost here! It is that time of the year, when you should tidy up your home! It is an opportunity to let fresh air in and boost your spirit and self esteem. When it comes to spring cleaning, organising and maintaining your property, try using our extensive spring cleaning checklist full of helpful tips and ideas!
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Table of contents:
  1. Overall spring cleaning chores.
  2. Foyer and hallway areas.
  3. Kitchen cleaning is ¼ Your spring clean.
  4. The bathroom spring cleaning checklist.
  5. Bathroom cleaning ideas and hacks.
  6. Bedroom cleaning ideas and tips.
  7. How to Spring Clean Your Dining Room.
  8. The Living Room Spring Cleaning Checklist.
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Overall Spring Cleaning Chores:
  • Clean up cobwebs off cornice moulding and baseboards.
  • Clean cobwebs and dirt off ceiling corners and walls.
  • Dust off mirrors and other wall hangings.
  • Wipe marks and stains off your baseboards.
  • Dust off and wipe lamps and lighting fixtures.
  • Wipe dust off your lampshades and ceiling fans.
  • Wipe and polish doors inside and out - clean handles from fingermarks, smears and dirt.
  • Clean up / touch-up repaint any unwanted wall spots and smudges.
  • Wipe and polish your windows’ glass, both inside and out.
  • Laundry all curtains and dust-wipe your blinds.
  • Dust-off your furnishing - bookcases, shelving, cupboards, drawers etc.
  • Wipe and vacuum dust off upholstery - cushions and underneath.
  • Remove upholstery stains - DIY or via professional cleaners.
  • Wash and wipe hardwood, tiles, linoleum and carpet flooring.
  • Shake out and vacuum mats, rugs and carpets. Clean flooring beneath.
  • Wash your carpets - DIY with shampoo or book carpet cleaning help.
  • Wipe dust and dirt off air vents and fans - a germ hot spot.
  • Shake out and wash AC and furnace filters.
  • Test your smoke / carbon monoxide detector.
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Tip:
Break down spring cleaning to distinctive stand-alone tasks.
Plan your cleaning schedule for the week..
Use a timer.
Freshen Your Foyer and Hallway Areas.
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Your foyer is where outside dirt and dust gather the most.  It is where you start and end your day. Spring clean your foyer to boost how you feel in the morning!
How to spring clean your foyer and hallway areas:
  • Start with your welcome mat - shake out dust and wash thoroughly. Replace if needed.
  • Dust off lighting fixtures, switch plates and sockets.
  • Wipe your walls and remove cobwebs from flooring and ceiling corners.
  • Clean your foyer closet - wipe walls, base and corners. Sort out all seasonal clothing.
  • Properly sweep and wash all hallway flooring.
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Tip:
Throw out worn out shoes you mostly love to hate. Get rid of old umbrellas that work no more, unused shopping bags and revolting flip flops. It’s time to freshen up! A hat you have not wore for quite a while? Let it go!
Kitchen Cleaning is ¼ Your Spring Clean.
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If you’re unwilling to cook your favourite meal in your own kitchen, it means you are more likely to order pizza, junk food or one of the many unhealthy alternatives. When your kitchen is properly organised, spotless-cleaned and runs smoothly, it is a pleasure to cook and thus spending more quality time with you family.
How to spring clean your kitchen:
  • Clean up everything you either don’t need, or does not belong in the kitchen.
  • Clean and disinfect your coffee machine.
  • Wipe and polish worktops and near-sink areas.
  • Clean and organise cabinets, drawers and shelving.
  • Tidy plastic and storage containers.
  • Tidy cabinets with cups, mugs, and other glass ware.
  • Tidy cabinets with plates, bowls, and other dining ware.
  • Disinfect cutting boards.
  • Tidy beneath your kitchen sink.
  • Remove unusable spices and herbs.
  • Clean and degrease your oven interior and exterior.
  • Remove grime from extractors, hobs or hood vents.
  • Wash or change filters if possible.
  • Scrub dirt off stove top burners and gas control knobs.
  • Wipe your microwave inside and out.
  • Defrost your refrigerator. Clean up grime, mildew and dispose of unwanted food deposits.
  • Replace the refrigerator water filter yourself or ask for qualified help.
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils.
  • Clean washing machine inside and out, including rubber edging.
  • Wash and polish sinks and shine taps.
  • Remove accumulated limescale.
  • De-grease and polish wall tiles.
  • Clean up any mould from grout.
  • Rinse soap drawers and filters.
  • Wipe your dishwasher interior and exterior (if accessible).
  • Clean appliances incl. kettle and toaster.
  • Clean smears off cupboards, shelving and drawers.
  • Stack and arrange cutlery, utensils and other dinning inventory.
  • Clean windows from within and wipe down sills, ledges and frames.
  • Wipe smears from woodwork (doors, handles, door frames, furnishing and skirting boards).
  • Wipe down radiators.
  • Disinfect door handles, lighting fixtures and pulls.
  • Clean and disinfect bins - wash and dry in fresh air.
  • Hoover, mop and polish floors.
  • List needed kitchen supplies.
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Idea:
A cleaning hack to help you deep clean your dishwasher:
Poor white vinegar into a cup or plastic container. Run the hottest programming possible. When done, sprinkle a bit of baking soda and run a short, yet hot cycle.
The Bathroom Cleaning Checklist:
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Bathrooms are used most frequently and acquire types of dirt you won’t find elsewhere in your home. Don’t let the list length discourage you, though. Once finished, you’ll be delighted with your results. ​
How to spring clean your bathroom:
  • Empty the room - bathtub surround, caddy, mats etc.
  • Empty cabinets, drawers and shelving.
  • Wipe air vents, fans and filters if accessible.
  • Wipe light switches, lamps and lighting fixtures.
  • Wipe and polish mirrors and glass surfaces.
  • Wipe reachable bathroom tiles.
  • Cleanup hard water stains.
  • Cleanup smear from basins, taps and fittings.
  • Scrub and rinse accumulated dirt from toothbrush holders.
  • Descale, rinse and wipe, shower heads, faucets and any metal surfaces.
  • Remove accumulated lime scale if present.
  • Rinse and refill soap dispensers.
  • Wipe and rinse your shower caddy.
  • Wipe and clean shower curtains and liner.
  • Wipe marks and stains from shower screens or cabin.
  • Scrub and rinse bathtub marks and signs of mildew (if present).
  • Wipe and polish radiators and towel rails.
  • Scrub and rinse WC and bidet.
  • Scrub and wash plumbing behind WC if accessible.
  • Make sure to clean drainages from leftovers like hair etc.
Bathroom Cleaning Ideas and Hacks:
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A speed cleaning hack to avoid scrubbing:
Spray your whole bathroom with any average all-purpose cleaner. Leave the hot water on for a while. Make sure you properly steam the whole room. Turn hot water of and leave it for a few minutes. When ready, wipe it all with a dry cloth or regular paper towel. This bathroom cleaning hack will help you achieve a fresh and clean look and feel, without any of the hassle, effort nor nerves of cleaning by hand. When done - properly ventilate.
A speed cleaning hack to avoid hand washing curtains and liner:
Fill your washing machine with curtains and a few bath towels and try one of the following cleaning ideas:
  • 1/2 cup baking soda to your detergent during the wash cycle and 1/2 cup vinegar during the rinse cycle. Let dry naturally, don’t use a dryer.
  • 1/2 cup chlorine bleach and 1/4 cup laundry detergent. Let the washer on for a few minutes. Set your dryer at lowest and load your shower curtains and towels. Hang-dry when ready.
  • 1/2 cup laundry detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda. Run regular warm water programming. Add a cup of vinegar at rinse #1. Hang-dry curtains before the spin cycle starts.

How to easily clean air vents via dining utensils:
Use a clean rag and soak it in your cleaning solution of choice. Wrap your rage around your spoon, fork or knife clean those hard to reach air vents.

A cleaning hack to minimise your effort on tiles:
Apply a coat of car wax to tiles at least once a year. It will minimise ceramic tile water marks.

3 handy toilet cleaning hacks:
  • Use two antacid tablets or a denture tablet plus baking soda directly in your toilet. Give it a good 20, 30 minutes so everything can fully dissolve. Scrub and flush. It's a good practice to diversify - use a vitamin C tablet instead.
  • Use mouthwash to clean your toilet by simply pouring half a cup into your WC. Let it settle in for about 30 minutes. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, flush it all and you're all good to go.
  • Cola/Coke is among the best cleaning solutions I can recommend. It can dissolve rust and even blood stains. Tip a can of cola into your toilet and leave it for about an hour. Once again - scrub and flush.

A handy tip for shower doors:
Mix distilled white vinegar and baking soda to a paste. Make sure it's thick enough so you can apply it directly to your door (it has to stick). Leave the paste to do its thing for an hour or two and then wipe it off. Rinse it properly and dry it up.

How to Spring Clean Your Bedroom:
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Taking care of dust and dirt should be your Step 1.
The best way to clean is by wiping the room top to bottom.
The bedroom spring cleaning checklist:
  • Cleanup clothing - fold clean ones, laundry the rest.
  • Get rid of trash and unused belongings - magazines etc.
  • Cleanup cobwebs from ceilings and flooring corners.
  • Dust off reachable surfaces - wardrobes, shelving, cupboards etc.
  • Wipe off accumulated dust and dirt from top of doors.
  • Wipe off dust from top of pictures and wall hangings.
  • Wipe off curtain rails.
  • Launder curtains and blinds.
  • Launder bed linens and mattress covers.
  • Dust off skirting boards and decorations.
  • Dust off light fittings and lamp shades.
  • Wipe and polish metal ornaments (if present).
  • Wipe and polish switches and AC controls.
  • Remove / repaint dirty walls marks (if possible).
  • Carefully clean power sockets and extension cords.
  • Empty drawers, dust off, place everything back in.
  • Repeat with closets.
  • Thorough vacuum of all mattresses.
  • Mop hard floors and laminate.
Bedroom Cleaning Ideas and Tips:
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A clever cleaning hack to help whitening pillows:
The tricky part here is to mix in everything properly. All detergents have to fully dissolve. It is a really simple and yet efficient solution. It is recommended to choose the longest washing program available, preferably one having 2 rinses.
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  • A cup of liquid or powder laundry detergent
  • 1/2 cup of washing soda
  • A cup of dishwasher detergent
  • A cup of regular bleach
A spring cleaning idea to whiten bedding:
Try baby shampoo. Its formula is meant to treat baby skin as gentle as possible and yet still dissolve various body oil stains.

Extra Tip: Hire a steam cleaner.
If you can't afford to buy one, you could always rent it for your mattresses and upholstery. Steam cleaners have become even more accessible, not to mention efficiency and simplicity to use. They are easy to carry and will help a great deal with spring cleaning.​
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How to Spring Clean Your Dining Room:
  • Launder curtains and wipe off blinds.
  • Wipe dust off tables and chairs.
  • Wash chair pads, if possible.
  • Wipe and polish interior decorations.
  • Dust off pictures and wall hangings.
  • Wipe off window sills.  
  • Take out and rinse window screens.
  • Wipe marks and dirt off switches and plates.
  • Wipe walls and trim.
  • Wipe off doors and knobs.
  • Wipe floor registers and other vent covers.
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The Living Room Spring Cleaning Checklist:
  • Vacuum upholstery thoroughly.
  • Clean stains or call for professionals.
  • Launder cushions and blankets.
  • Wipe dust off shelving and furniture.
  • Wipe dust and dirt off lamps and shades.
  • Clean windows and sills.
  • Rinse window screens, if applicable.
  • Wipe your TV screen.
  • Gently wipe and polish electronics.
  • Remove books and magazines while dusting off thoroughly.
  • Sort books and magazines.
  • Set apart what can be recycled.
  • Clean hard plastic children's toys.
  • Donate older ones.
  • Wipe marks off switch plates.
  • Wash doors and knobs.
  • Wash floor registers and other vent covers.
  • Remove carpets and shake out outside.
  • Clean carpets via hot water extraction, if you can afford it, or wash them yourself.
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Our mission is to inspire & educate the UK to spring clean not just for your home but for your life as well! A real spring clean throughout your home can brighten your every day. So bring a little more light into your house by joining National Spring Cleaning Week!

Image credits:
Images courtesy of Flaticon.com

Author and visual edits:
Dmitri Kara - cleaner at Fantastic.
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2nd - 8th of March

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  • Home
  • About
  • The Benefits
  • Spring Clean Your Life
  • Support
    • Vacuuming
    • Technology
    • De-cluttering
    • Fragrances
    • Cleaning Services
  • Videos
    • Tips and Tough Stains
    • DIY Ideas
    • Furniture
    • Spring Clean You
  • Blog
  • Partners
    • Nilfisk
    • Little Shop Of Ltd
  • Contact