Suck it up
Break out the vacuum cleaner to get rid of winter dust. Start at the top with the cobwebs around the ceiling and work your way down. Vacuum windows and window sills before making your way to the skirting boards. Move furniture to attack the build-up of dust under them. Clean along sliding door tracks to remove dust. This will also help prevent damage to the rollers on your sliding doors.
Wash it down
Clean walls are the next best thing to a fresh coat of paint. Mix up a solution of sugar soap in a bucket of warm water, grab a large sponge and get to it. A quick wipe over is all that’s needed. Wipe down the windows doors and skirting boards to pick up any stubborn dirt the vacuum missed. Pay special attention to finger marks around light switches and door handles.
In the bathroom
The moisture caused by condensing steam during the cold weather is the perfect growing conditions for mould. The ceiling, tile grout and silicone around the bath and basin are all mould hot spots. Getting rid of mould early will stop it from taking hold. The only option after that is to repaint and replace the silicone and grout. Use a solution of 4 parts white vinegar to 1 part water. Rinse the cloth or scrubber in a second bucket of the solution after you’ve cleaned an area to ensure you don’t just spread the problem elsewhere.
Cleaning carpets
To make your carpets look like new, consider a steam clean. This involves applying a shampoo to the carpet, injecting hot, high-pressure water into the carpet then vacuuming it up. Professional steam cleaners will get the best results but you can also hire steam cleaners and do it yourself. If you do, take care not to over-wet the carpet. This may lead to the growth of mould in the carpet, leaving you with a musty smell; staining from the wet underlay and even make the carpet rot.
Wash the windows
You won’t really notice how dirty your windows are until you give them a clean! Vacuum the tracks of aluminium windows first. If any dust or dirt in there gets wet, it’ll be harder to remove and could damage your windows. Mix up a bucket of warm water and detergent, then scrub with a window washer. Remove the water with a squeegee. Work from the top down and wipe the squeegee with a rag between strokes for fewer streaks. Finish by polishing the glass with a spray on window cleaner.
