Save time, money and the planet while you clean your home.

There’s a reason it’s called ‘spring cleaning’. Exposing all the nooks and crannies and corners to sunlight tends to show up the areas we have avoided all winter. It’s also a good time to freshen up the home from top to bottom, ready to show it off just in time for summer entertaining!

Here are just a few of the many hacks that show you not only how to save time and money by using everyday items you have around the house, but also ways to avoid any nasties - the toxic chemicals found in so many household cleaners. 

1. Chemical-free oven cleaning. 
Oven cleaning must surely be the one job most people dread - and avoid! Probably because of the heavy-duty cleaners required. Try this: sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the floor of a cold oven. Use a spray bottle filled with water to spray the baking soda so it’s damp, but not wet. Leave it for an hour or so until it’s dry, then spray again. Wait an hour, then repeat. Leave it overnight; the enzymes will absorb the residue on the bottom of the oven, breaking it down. Next morning, scrape the dried baking soda off the base of the oven. In a bowl, mix together three tablespoons baking soda, four tablespoons white vinegar and ½ teaspoon washing up liquid. Using a scourer sponge, scrub the inside of your oven with the mix, then wipe clean. Of course, the more regularly you do this, the less any residue will build up, making oven cleaning day a breeze!

2. Get a clean night’s sleep
How often do you think about your mattress? Probably not much! But when you think about it, you spend around a third of your life on it. While changing and washing your sheets regularly is important, your mattress needs some love, too, and spring is a great time to do it. After you’ve stripped the bed, sprinkle the mattress thoroughly with bicarb soda and leave for a few hours. The bicarb will absorb moisture and odours. Then vacuum it well to remove dirt, dust mites and dead skin. This process also works well on pet beds and rugs. And don’t forget the pillows! Most pillows can be put through the washing machine. Hang them in the sun to dry, then plump them up so they’re nice and fresh.

3. Getting steamy in the bathroom
Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then thoroughly spray the walls. Turn on a hot shower to steam up the room (you’ll need to leave the fan off!) then use a flat microfibre mop to clean from top to bottom. You can do the ceiling at the same time, just remember not to use vinegar directly on any natural stone or marble surfaces. For a fresh, clean smell, you can add a couple of drops of essential oil to the vinegar spray – lemongrass is lovely, or try eucalyptus or lavender. Finish off with toothpaste on an old toothbrush to scrub your taps until they’re shiny, then use coffee filters to polish your mirrors – they’re lint free!

4. Don’t look up
Well, don’t look up if you don’t want to see what’s on top of your ceiling fans! Layers of dust can accumulate on the top of the blades, but dusting them can send all that dust flying around the room. Find an old pillowcase you don’t need any more, and spray the inside with a natural, all-purpose cleaner. One at a time, place each blade inside the pillowcase, completely covering it, then gently pull it off. All the dust stays inside the pillowcase! Shake out the dust outside and pop the pillowcase in the washing machine. 

If all else fails and time is an issue, simply remove all the clutter from your kitchen bench, dining table and surfaces, give them a good wipe-down and add a bunch of fresh flowers. Instant makeover!

Happy cleaning! 

If you’d like to know more about making your move to Frasers Landing, email Project Sales Manager Kaylene McTernan at kaylene.mcternan@frasersproperty.com.au or call 13 38 38.