8 Ways To Make It Look As If You’ve Spring Cleaned
You love the IDEA of spring cleaning, but actually doing it? Not so much...
At this time of year, there’s much talk of spring cleaning. Let’s be honest, though, not all of us find the time or motivation to put it into practice. If life is just too busy for you right now to dust the tops of your kitchen cupboards, vacuum the radiator and overhaul your knicker drawer, then here are some shortcuts you could consider instead.
Clean your windows
If you do nothing else this spring, give your windows a jolly good clean. Find a reliable professional to do the upstairs, and don’t forget to clean the panes on the inside as well. You’ll be amazed at how much brighter and altogether more appealing your house looks, both inside and out.
To refresh your glazing, start by getting rid of any cobwebs and dust, then wash with a mild soapy mixture. Use a squeegee sponge, moving in an S-shape, to banish the grime. Traditionalists also swear by polishing with diluted white vinegar and newspaper.
If you do nothing else this spring, give your windows a jolly good clean. Find a reliable professional to do the upstairs, and don’t forget to clean the panes on the inside as well. You’ll be amazed at how much brighter and altogether more appealing your house looks, both inside and out.
To refresh your glazing, start by getting rid of any cobwebs and dust, then wash with a mild soapy mixture. Use a squeegee sponge, moving in an S-shape, to banish the grime. Traditionalists also swear by polishing with diluted white vinegar and newspaper.
Tidy your bookshelves
Clutter can often make a room appear grubbier than it is. So if your shelves are looking distinctly messy, it may be time to employ some vigorous tidying strategies.
Line up book spines, ensure stacks are orderly, and remove any stray papers, toys or magazines that have inadvertently been shoved in. The result: a room that looks cleaner, even if it isn’t actually cleaner.
Browse a range of bookcases in the Houzz Shop
Clutter can often make a room appear grubbier than it is. So if your shelves are looking distinctly messy, it may be time to employ some vigorous tidying strategies.
Line up book spines, ensure stacks are orderly, and remove any stray papers, toys or magazines that have inadvertently been shoved in. The result: a room that looks cleaner, even if it isn’t actually cleaner.
Browse a range of bookcases in the Houzz Shop
Put out plenty of flowers
Nothing says ‘spring’ like flowers and, at this time of year, spriggy blooms, tulips and daffodils are all good value – or, in many cases, available for free from your garden.
Place on tables, mantelpieces and windowsills to cheer up your home and give the impression it’s bright, happy and clean. The general grime should (hopefully) fade into the background as your winning floral display takes centre stage.
How to make cut flowers last longer
Nothing says ‘spring’ like flowers and, at this time of year, spriggy blooms, tulips and daffodils are all good value – or, in many cases, available for free from your garden.
Place on tables, mantelpieces and windowsills to cheer up your home and give the impression it’s bright, happy and clean. The general grime should (hopefully) fade into the background as your winning floral display takes centre stage.
How to make cut flowers last longer
Create nice smells
For an instant spring-cleaning hack, think about introducing scent. Lovely smells give the impression of a well-scrubbed, well-kept home.
Room sprays, reed diffusers and scented candles are all your friend – and they take zero effort.
For an instant spring-cleaning hack, think about introducing scent. Lovely smells give the impression of a well-scrubbed, well-kept home.
Room sprays, reed diffusers and scented candles are all your friend – and they take zero effort.
Rock great accessories
Adding a smattering of nice accessories to a room is another way to create an instant sense of style and order. So hang a cluster of pretty prints and ceramic plates, fold a bright blanket on your sofa, and arrange a vase on a side table. For very little effort, your room will look magically restored and far less fusty.
If you have time to paint your walls a dark, forgiving shade, like this lustrous purple or midnight blue, then so much the better.
Adding a smattering of nice accessories to a room is another way to create an instant sense of style and order. So hang a cluster of pretty prints and ceramic plates, fold a bright blanket on your sofa, and arrange a vase on a side table. For very little effort, your room will look magically restored and far less fusty.
If you have time to paint your walls a dark, forgiving shade, like this lustrous purple or midnight blue, then so much the better.
Have one ‘wow’ room
Don’t have the time, energy or inclination to deep-clean your home from top to bottom? Concentrate on one show-stopping space – usually your living room or kitchen-diner, or anywhere friends, family or house guests tend to gather.
Having one clean and tidy room to retreat to may also help you feel better about the chaos that reigns elsewhere.
Don’t have the time, energy or inclination to deep-clean your home from top to bottom? Concentrate on one show-stopping space – usually your living room or kitchen-diner, or anywhere friends, family or house guests tend to gather.
Having one clean and tidy room to retreat to may also help you feel better about the chaos that reigns elsewhere.
Refresh your cushions
Tired cushions can make even the spickest and spannest living room look shabby, so a few new ones will give the space a lift. It’s well worth refreshing your cushions every few years anyway – and if you’re dodging spring cleaning, then it’s an easy win.
Sticking to the subject of living rooms, don’t forget to give glass or metal coffee tables and lamp bases a quick polish. The resulting gleam will add up to way more than the sum of your efforts.
Tell us…
Are you a fan of spring cleaning, or do you prefer a quick fix? Let us know in the Comments section.
Tired cushions can make even the spickest and spannest living room look shabby, so a few new ones will give the space a lift. It’s well worth refreshing your cushions every few years anyway – and if you’re dodging spring cleaning, then it’s an easy win.
Sticking to the subject of living rooms, don’t forget to give glass or metal coffee tables and lamp bases a quick polish. The resulting gleam will add up to way more than the sum of your efforts.
Tell us…
Are you a fan of spring cleaning, or do you prefer a quick fix? Let us know in the Comments section.
We’re talking about you, Mr Stainless Steel Fridge-freezer, once smudge-free and gleaming, now covered in dodgy fridge magnets and yogurty fingerprints.
Try removing all the magnets and out-of-date party invitations and giving it a good spritz, wipe down and polish. Your kitchen will look magically refreshed for very little effort. The same also goes for your cooker hood (though this may require a little more elbow grease). Don’t forget to wipe down dusty light shades, too.