We can’t quite smell spring in the air yet, but it’s certainly on the way and as January turns into February and we start commuting home in brighter evenings, it’s time to think about a spring clean.
Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up – it’s about throwing out the old year and starting anew. Although you might not be able to redecorate your entire rental, you can breathe some new life into it by a good old deep clean and declutter.
Have a look around and make a plan
Don’t just swish a broom around and plump up a few cushions! Walk through your space and see if there are any areas which could look a bit better and if there are any of your possessions that might need to be replaced or renewed.
Having a few targets and a bit of an action plan helps you to stay focused and gives you a result to aim for.
Get decluttering!
Going from room to room, gather up all the belongings that you don’t need or want anymore and decide which ones are destined for recycling or the charity shop. Decluttering frees up space, which might be at a premium in your rental, as well as making the rest of your spring clean mission easier.
Hit the floor (and the carpet)
All that freshly freed-up space might highlight areas of the flooring and carpets that need attention. A deep cleaning of nooks, crannies and skirting boards will really make the place feel lighter and fresher and it might be worth hiring a carpet cleaner for the higher traffic areas.
Wash the windows and walls
Walls, windows, curtains and blinds – they can all get grubbier without us noticing, especially over winter, so give them all a once over to brighten the space up. You can wash walls down with a mild detergent (unless they’re wallpapered) and carefully wipe down blinds with soft cloths. If possible, launder or dry clean curtains or drapes, as long as your landlord okays it.
Attack bathroom and kitchen surfaces
Cheltenham is a hard water area, so kitchens and bathrooms are especially prone to limescale build up, which in turn makes everything look dull and grimy. Limescale can also harbour mould and bacteria, so using a limescale-removing product on taps, work surfaces, mirrors and other supposed-to-be-shiny surfaces will make a huge difference. You should also use a specialist cleaning product in your dishwasher and washing machine, as well as descale your kettle and coffee maker.
Tidy up your garden or any other outdoor spaces
Once spring and summer hit, you’ll want to spend more time outside, so make sure you have an appealing space to head out into. Clean up any balconies, furniture, patios and garden paths you might have and plant some new flowers or add some windowboxes or plant pots to add colour and interest.
Check your smoke alarms
Your annual spring clean is a good time to make sure your smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors are in full working order. If you’re not quite sure about any of them, contact your landlord or letting agency immediately to get them replaced or inspected.
