If your house is in desperate need of a spruce up for spring, our cleaning guru is on hand to tell you where to start with a helpful list of five tips and tricks
With the weather getting brighter and days getting longer, thoughts may have turned to freshening up our homes in time for the summer. Cleaning expert Laura Harnett, founder of eco cleaning brand Seep, says there are five things to focus on when it comes to sprucing up homes this April.
From using baking soda to give mattresses a new lease of life to turning to white vinegar to make windows sparkle, there are many eco friendly ways to spruce up your house this spring. And when it comes to washing duvets, Laura reveals there’s a common mistake people make that may be surprising.
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Wash duvets
“This warm weather spell is the perfect time to freshen up the bedding that doesn’t regularly get washed. Wash duvets on cold water cycles with a cup of white vinegar to kill bacteria and freshen them. Line dry them in the sunshine which will also work as an antibacterial cleanse. Don’t use fabric softener as these often contain animal fats which over time clog up fibres and the washing machine itself.”
Freshen mattresses
“While your duvet is being washed, sprinkle baking soda over the mattress covering is evenly and leave it for at least one hour with the window open to let in the fresh air. Baking soda absorbs the lingering odours when it is hoovered up and the fresh air and sunlight also has antibacterial powers. If there are any stains on the mattress they can be spot cleaning with white vinegar dipped in a soft cloth, such as the Seep bamboo multipurpose cloth.”
Make windows shine
“With some bright sunshine now here, it will show up streaky windows and dirty window frames. The best way to clean windows in an eco friendly way is to use warm water and eco washing up liquid to get the worst of the grime off using a Seep eco sponge cloth.
“Open the windows and wipe down the sills for all the debris that has collected over the winter months. When this is removed fill white vinegar in a reusable spray bottle and spray over the window pane, wipe away with a lint free cloth such as the Seep bamboo cloths. These are better than microfibre alternatives as they are totally plastic free and won’t leave microplastics on the glass.”
Clean oven
“The end of winter is the perfect time to give the oven a deep clean and clear out baked on grime and grease for all the wintery roasts to get it fresh. Most of us use our ovens a lot less in the summer so if it’s cleaned now, it won’t be an awful task when it comes to winter again. A lot of people resort to harsh chemicals but there is an eco friendly, effective way to clean the oven. Make your own eco friendly version by mixing baking soda and water into a thick paste. Spread this onto your oven and leave overnight. When you come to scrub it off the next day the baking soda will have cut through the grease and it’s abrasive too so will easily lift the burnt on stains off.”
Hack for pet hair
“Many pets will be shedding their winter coats around this time meaning there is extra hair around the house. Pop on your eco friendly rubber gloves and run your hands over the surfaces covered in pet hair. The rubber material will create friction, causing the pet hair to stick to the gloves. Use both rubbing and wiping motions to effectively gather the hair. This method is particularly useful on upholstery, carpets, and other fabric-covered surfaces. If the pet hair is particularly stubborn or if you’re dealing with static cling, it helps to lightly dampen the gloves with water.”