Things to do

My top ten tips for spring cleaning your bedroom are guaranteed to give you a good night’s sleep!

1) Mattresses

We all love our beds – there’s nothing better than fresh linen to snuggle into at the end of a long day. Although we all probably change them regularly, we might not have the time or inclination to give them the attention that they deserve. When the weather turns abit warmer, it’s a great opportunity to breathe new life into something we spend over 2,500 hours a year in!

Start with the mattress, flip it over to ensure even wear and then give it a vacuum. A mattress protector is a really useful way of extending the life of your mattress as it can be taken off and washed. All good stores sell a variety of these from sheepskin for the winter to microfibre, which can help to minimise allergy triggers such as dust mites and pollen.

2) Duvets and pillows

As well as washing duvet covers regularly, the duvet itself will need cleaning about once a year or so. The easiest way to do this is by using your own washing machine and a tumble dryer or outside line.. This might prove tricky for anything bigger than a single though so a launderette or dry cleaners are other good options. If you are doing it yourself, make sure you follow the manufacturers guidelines. If in doubt a cool wash with a little detergent should avoid any damage. The most trouble I have is not leaving enough time – thinking I’ll wash the duvet 3 hours before I want to sleep in it is not the best idea!

Pillows

Pillows should also be washed to increase their life span and keep your bed as clean as possible. Wash following the manufacturers instructions.  Be careful not to overload your washer – pillows need a good amount of space to move around due to their awkward shape. If using a tumble dryer to dry– a couple of tumble-drying balls (available in most supermarkets) will stop the fibres or down from clumping. Give everything a good squash and pound before putting back onto your bed to ensure it is all thoroughly dry and the filling is even. 

Line airing in between washes is good for freshening up. 

3) Windows

It’s not until the sun starts shining that I see how dirty my windows have become in the depths of the darker months! Window cleaning liquids can struggle with dirt and grime that’s been there for a while. They can also cause smears and leave an uneven finish. 2 things every home with have in their cupboards work wonders; vinegar and newspaper.

White vinegar works the best but malt vinegar works just as well, if you can stand the smell! Dilute 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in a bowel and use a soft cloth, just dampened with the mixture, to clean your windows. If you prefer to apply using a spray bottle, always ensure this is washed out and left empty after use. Vinegar and water can go off if left together.

Buff using a sheet of black and white newspaper (colour ones are made from a slightly different paper, which doesn’t seem as effective. The colour can also transfer onto your clean windows, ruining your hard work)

Leave windows open regularly to air rooms. 

4) Wardrobes and drawers

To keep storage cupboards smelling their best, fill a small empty yoghurt pot or similar plastic container with bicarbonate of soda and place at the bottom of your wardrobe. This will stop shoe odours and other smells from lingering. Replace when the powder has started to clump, looks slightly damp or if you notice the “clean” aroma has disappeared. You can use the same in drawers but I always think a more feminine touch is nice here, especially when you can take advantage of the great outdoors. Use a small net or muslin bag and fill with a few lavender springs, tie at the top with a coloured ribbon. Lavender is also great for placing on or by the side of your bed for a restful nights sleep. 

5) Furniture

Always remember to pull furniture out and dust behind it as often as you can. Dark corners and behind large items are ideal places for dust to settle and spiders to take up residence.  

6) Light fittings

Light fittings are obviously something I use everyday and take for granted when the nights draw in, but rarely do I stop to think how much brighter it would be if I gave them some TLC every now and again. Dust on light fittings and bulbs can make a huge amount of difference to their luminance. Ensure they are turned off at the switch first and dust regularly using a feather or fibre duster or lint free cloth – this will only take a few seconds if done every week so shouldn’t be too much of a chore.

For a more thorough clean or for caked on grime (especially in kitchens), take the bulbs out and use a dampened cloth to clean. Take care when handling and never do this with warm bulbs as the difference in temperature (between the bulb and the cool, damp cloth) could shatter them. 

7) Skirting boards

Usually these are kept dust free by using a duster or one of the accessories on your vacuum cleaner. However, surface scuffs from shoes and furniture or paint splatters (if you’re like me and forget to use masking tape when decorating!) can be a bit trickier to remove. I find lemon cream cleaner brilliant for brining the whiteness and shine back to gloss paint. Put a small amount of a cloth and rub the area gently until the mark is removed. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth to ensure on residue is left on the skirting board. This can also be used for door surrounds and window sills. 

8) Door, door knobs, airvents and switch plates

Sticky finger marks can be tackled using lemon cream cleaner as well – just follow the same method used for skirting boards. Dust doors, door knobs and airvents regularly too – I often forget these during a weekly clean but they can make a huge difference to the overall appearance of your house. Airvents can also collect dust, throwing it back into the air when switched on, a bad thing for allergy sufferers.

9) Curtains and blinds

Most curtains will need specialist cleaning so ensure you check the label or get advice on the type of fabric first. Slat blinds can be dusted easily with minimum effort – close the slats one way and dust and then reverse to dust the opposite side. 

10) Carpets

Vacuuming alone does not stop carpets from looking dull, flat and worn. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to wash them regularly. Deep down cleaning can remove residue, stains and embedded dirt from fibres. Carpet washers are widely available to buy and can easily pay for themselves in just a few uses. Remove as much furniture as possible from the room and then vacuum thoroughly first. Wash following the user’s instructions. Carpets can be dry and rooms back in use in 2-3 hours.