With the kids home over the summer holidays, it’s no wonder the house isn’t looking as spotless as it usually does. There’s beach sand being trekked through the carpets, sticky handprints all over the sliding doors, and those outdoor couches are starting to look a little worse for wear.
Now the kids are back in school, it’s time to get the home whipped back into shape, ready to face the rest of the year. We’ll take you through a smart checklist so you can work on sprucing up those unflattering spots and preparing them for the end of the summer season.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE REFRESHED
The cleanliness of patio furniture can be seriously called into question. Not only is it usually neglected in the cleaning routine, it also deals with the daily weather elements. Give your outdoor furniture a good wipe down and scrub so they’re ready for hibernation when the colder months hit.
Top tip: Your cleaning solutions for outdoor furniture will vary, depending on whether it’s made of plastic, wood, glass or metal. Always use a trusted cleaning brand or a mild DIY soap to avoid any damage.
SCRUB THE GRILL
The grime build-up on the grill can get pretty grim. After heavy use over the summer period, the barbeque will be in desperate need of a deep clean. This is easily remedied by removing the grill, trays and parts, and cleaning them in a tub of hot, soapy water (remember to wear dishwashing gloves!). Use a suitable hard bristle brush formulated for barbeque cleaning to scrub them clean. Follow by giving the barbeque a wipe with the soapy water and a clean cloth.
Don’t forget to completely disconnect the barbecue from any electricity before you start!
PANTRY AND FRIDGE CLEAN OUT
When the kids are home over the holidays, there’s no telling what junk food or leftovers have built up in the kitchen! Now they’re out of the house, it’s the perfect time to do a proper clean out of the fridge and pantry, and get rid of any expired or unwanted foods.
Take everything out, spray and wipe the shelves and reorganise the contents. This will not only make them look immaculate, it will also do wonders for your mental health.
WIPE AWAY HANDPRINTS
Ah, the blessed sticky hand and fingerprints pressed all over the sliding doors and stainless-steel appliances. Not quite the best look. While there’s no magical fix to keep the handprints away for good, by doing a regular wipe down each week, you can keep them under control. An equal part solution of white vinegar and distilled water will work like a charm in unison with a microfibre cloth.
OVERHAULING SAND AND DIRT
Once those traces of dirt and sand have been brought through the home and trodden into the carpets, it can be a bit of a task to successfully remove all residue. Loosen the sand out of the carpet with a hard-bristle brush – just be sure it doesn’t cause any damage to the carpet’s material! Clean up the loosened grime with a high-powered vacuum.
Protect against further dirt being carried through by placing a large vinyl or rubber mat at the front and back doors, and make sure everyone takes their shoes off before coming inside!
Top tip: For the best cleaning result, use a steamer cleaner to effectively loosen up dirt and sand trapped in carpet or hard floors.
