Tips on How to Speed Up Your Spring Cleaning

The spring season gets a lot of people stoked for better weather and blooming flowers. However, some of us dread the annual general cleaning that the turn of the season requires.  If you are like us who prefer to get the cleaning done instead of putting the task aside, then you should take a look at the tips we’ve prepared below. Spring cleaning does not necessarily have to be complicated as long as you follow some hacks that will speed up the process.

Faster and Easier Way to Clean Window Blinds

Cleaning each slat of your window blinds will get dirt and dust everywhere. So, it would be better to take down the blinds and soak them in a vinegar and water solution. Once you see that the dirt and dust have dissolved into the solution, give your blinds a good rinse and then leave them under the sun to dry. Mount them back onto your window and you now have clean blinds without the fuss!

Working from the Ceiling Down

Cleaning your ceilings and walls can be a complicated and huge task to undertake. The best way to do this is by working on your ceiling first. Clean your ceilings first by using a vacuum with a brush attachment. Make sure you use lint-free cleaning cloths when drying the walls to avoid streaking. It would also be easier if you use mops with telescopic handles so you can easily reach your ceilings. Also, remember to wipe your light switches and outlet covers clean.

If you have a ceiling fan, you might need to remove the dust that has collected over the winter. However, cleaning a ceiling fan can be tricky as the dust can escape and fall on your couches or beds. So, make sure that you cover your fabric surfaces with pillowcases or thin blankets before you clean your ceiling fan. Once you’re done, you can simply toss your pillowcases and blankets in your washer.

Outdoor Cleaning Using a Pressure Washer

The common way to clean your outdoor space is by sweeping away the webs, leaves and winter stains. You can also scrub your pavement to make sure that it’s clean. However, you can save time and effort by using a power washer. You wouldn’t have to break a sweat when using this piece of equipment. If you do not have one, borrow from a friend. You can also find home improvement shops that offer pressure washers for rent.

Less Complicated Way of Cleaning your Burners

It can be quite difficult to remove calcified grim and grease off your burners. This might even be the hardest thing to clean in your home. On the other hand, there is an easier way to make your burners sparkling clean again. All you have to do is seal every burner in a plastic bag with ammonia. Leave them overnight and when you wake up in the morning, the grime would come off. All you need to do now is wipe your burners and they will look sparkling clean again.

Use Microfiber Cloths When Removing Dust

When you use a feather duster, you are only pushing the dust around instead of catching it. It would be better if you use microfiber cloths when cleaning off dust as they are more efficient. You can also lightly mist the area you’re cleaning before wiping it with a microfiber cloth to get the best results.

Self-Cleaning Microwave

You have to deal with a lot of things inside the kitchen so you should find ways to lessen the load. You can eliminate the need to scrub your microwave by following our simple method. The best thing about this tip is that all the items you need can be found in your pantry. It’s so easy that you would only need about 15 minutes and virtually zero effort to complete the task.

1.   Mix equal parts vinegar and water together in a bowl.

2.   Place the bowl with the solution inside your microwave and heat it for five minutes.

3.   Let the solution sit inside the microwave for an additional five to ten minutes and let the vapours work their cleaning magic.

4.   Dip a clean cloth into the solution and use it to wipe down the microwave.

It’s perfectly normal to have a pickle-smelling kitchen while you’re doing this process. However, once the vinegar dries, the smell will dissipate.

 

Hire a Skip Bin for Removing Clutter and Waste

As you progress with your spring cleaning activities, you will find that you’ve collected a lot of waste and clutter from your home. You can opt to get rid of them with the help of your local garbage collector. However, you wouldn’t be able to do so in one go, especially when the amount of waste you’re getting rid of does not fit inside your wheelie bins.

So, if you are planning to do some major spring cleaning activities, it would be best to hire a skip bin. Most skip bin hire companies allow their clients to keep the skip on their property for four to seven days. In this way, you will have enough time to gather your waste inside the bin. Skip bins also come in different sizes so you can get rid of your entire rubbish load in one go. The skip bin company will pick up your waste on your scheduled date for your convenience.

Some Mistakes to Avoid

While we have our own ways to make spring cleaning easier, there are also some mistakes we commit that make the process tedious and time-consuming. Make sure you avoid the following mistakes when dealing with household dirt and grime.

Not Cleaning your Cleaners

If you do not clean your mops, cloths or vacuum cleaner bags, you are only making your space dirtier. You won’t get the right results and would only be working even harder. So, make sure you clean or replace your cleaning tools when necessary.

Wearing Shoes inside the House

The dirt you bring inside your house can build up over time. So, it would be better if everyone who enters your home will remove their shoes at the door. If guests feel uncomfortable going shoeless indoors, then have pairs of slippers ready for them by your door.

Cleaning your Windows on a Sunny Day

The warm sun can easily dry your cleaning solution even before you wipe it away. This will leave unsightly streaks that would require you to start over. So, it would be best to clean your windows on a cloudy day.

Immediately Wiping your Tiles after Pouring the Solution

Grime and stains can be removed more easily when you let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes. With the dirt softening, you would not have to scrub the surface too much. Doing so saves you energy and scrubbing effort.

We all know how complicated and difficult spring cleaning is. However, by following the aforementioned hacks and avoiding the mistakes above, you can make the process faster and easier.

Read this also : Frugal spring cleaning checklist.

Fastest Growing PWD Roofing & Construction Builders Company in Oxfordshire

Some important information about Oxford loft conversions, nowadays, several property owners choose to carry out home expansion or adjustment solutions to provide their improving close relatives specifications. Though there are several options available to property owners, an Oxford loft conversions is primarily considered the best way to have more area without having to spend much from the wallet. A loft area can be preferably become a potential efficient area - regardless of your need and budget. Based on the reason, accessibility to area and framework of development, customers can easily turn your loft into a kid's game room, enjoyment space, bedroom, livable area, oasis or any other useful area.

Different kinds of Oxford loft Conversions and expansion techniques are available to complement regards to your developing or residence. Among them, Velux Oxford loft conversions are a wise decision for those who do not want to improve the roofline. Other popular conversion kinds provided by companies include dormer, hip end, delivered dormer / bungalow dormer hip to gable, ceiling raise and mansard alterations.

A loft or basement conversion definitely helps you to enjoy several benefits. The key advantages are that it increases the value of your home with lowest investment. Research has shown that more than 20% the home's value is improved through a quality conversion strategy. In comparison to other remodeling works, the development cost and time is less. An average loft expansion or conversion procedure, if done by a professional, takes around 6 to 8 weeks to complete. As only affordable development perform is needed, a preparing authorization is not required in most cases.

How to know the relevance of Oxford loft conversions?

Prior to the task, you should be aware about the practicality of an Oxford loft conversions in your residence or developing. For this, it is important to get the support of a basement conversion professional. Often, such experts recommend the most appropriate type of basement conversion method by examining your site. They also organize for necessary documentation suitable to gain legitimate authorization from appropriate regional regulators.

Considering Oxford loft conversions will definitely provide you with several benefits and some are as follows:

· Allows you to improve your home

New develops allows you to use every area of your home effectively. It does not only transforming your vacant areas into some attractive space but it also confident that this will be efficient for yourself you members. This can also allow you to use the modified areas into a successful space. As for example is when you apply Oxford loft conversions in your basement, it can be leased and can have money for your investing.

· It can improve the industry value of your home

Loft alterations can also improve the industry value of your home up to 40%. This could be advantages for you since the way individuals stay these days, especially in urban places is undoubtedly expensive. Due to this fact, individuals might rent area to stay thus, if you can effectively set up loft alterations at home, it is also can also improve the value of every area leased.

All the way through the whole procedure, you should be able to get in touch with the company, as consistently and consistently as you wish, to make certain that each aspect is ongoing accordingly. Some kinds of loft expansion and alterations require preparing authorization and all have to comply with developing rules. The quote you obtain from your service agency may take account of the planning and distribution of plans to the regional power.

Do not make these mistakes while buying window blinds

If you want to move away from the norm, which is curtains and drapes, do consider blinds and shades. They work just as well in maintaining privacy, giving style to a window and offering you light. Blinds come in any number of shapes and sizes and here are a few things you should watch out for when you buy them.

1.   Bargaining on price- first off, window blinds are less expensive than fancy curtains. Secondly, even if you’re living in a rented space, the look of your house will always be important. And windows are in every room. These are highly visible spaces and people can see them at first glance. All the more reason to invest in good quality, good-looking blinds. When of high quality, blinds can last close to a decade! Buying cheap may seem like a thrill at first but when your blinds give way because of use, you might end up regretting the decision.  If you feel you’re being ripped off, by all means bargain. But if it’s a decent price, don’t try for way lower. You might be given inferior stuff.

2.   Forgetting function for style- yes, window blinds are lovely looking, but that’s not the purpose of blinds! They should also be functional and be able to handle repeated raising and lowering, and sometimes rough use as well. So the blinds need to be strong and able to withstand a lot. Style may not be sturdy. You pick up flimsy looking, stylish blinds that give up in a short period of time and you’ll have to make the buying trip all over again.

3.   Buying without thinking- thinking about your home, that is. Blinds work as insulation. If you live in warm climes, it may be a heat trap. Also, awnings and other window treatments may work as well as blinds. Take your home and its inhabitants into consideration before you buy blinds.

4.   Trying to make it fit everywhere- while blinds are great everywhere, there is such a thing as type of blind in specific rooms. Fabric works well in most windows. But what of the kitchen and the bathrooms? Fabric or wood will be a bad idea- fabric is unsafe in the kitchen, unhygienic in the bathroom, and wood warps and bloats in heat and humidity, damp and moistness. You can do way better with aluminum and PVC blinds. So, you shouldn’t think of going to the store and picking up stuff en masse for the whole house. Consider each room, its purpose and then decide on blinds.

5.   Buying without exploring- blinds come in all shapes and forms- roman blinds that take on a pretty fan shape when pulled up; roller blinds which roll into a tube of stuff material, venetian blinds, faux wood blinds- there’s a lot to choose from. Many blinds come with remote controls, making them perfect for the skylight and the high window. Others have other things that make them unique. Check all options before you make a final decision.

Whether you go to the store to buy brand new blinds or because you want to replace your existing ones, you need to think about various factors and then decide on what works for you. 

DIY Garden Tools Storage

You step out into your garden, the fresh breeze welcoming you. You smell the distinct aroma of freshly mowed grass.You walk around, seeing the rows and rows of neatly tended plants and bushes, of flowers about to erupt into full bloom.

And then you spot your garden tools sprawled on the ground, or your hose in a complete disarray.

You don’t want those paraphernalia to ruin the view. Here are some easy DIY storage activities that you can do to hide those gardening tools out of plain sight.

Have a garden shed.

Make sure to invest on a garden shed or outdoor storage locker. If you don’t have any, consider crafting one from unused wood and paints. It is, needless to say, an extremely convenient way to effortlessly hide your supplies.

Maximize your space.

If you already have an outdoor shed, make the most out of it. Here are some ways to give your storage more room:

• Use hooks and hangers! These tiny items perform a remarkable job in saving up some space. Use them to hang brooms, dustpans, and other cleaning tools. You can also suspend cords in them.
• For your hose, you can coil them in a coat hanger.
• Buy storage boxes. Not only does it help in storing up your things, it also helps in keeping them organized. Stack them together tidily and label them.
• Aside from storage boxes, you can also utilize metal storage shelves, such as shoe racks.

Bring out your creative and resourceful side.

Take out your tool box, spare wood, paints, and begin fashioning stunning and useful storage items.

•  Transform wood planks into storage benches. Place hinges on the seat, as it will serve as the opening lid of your storage.
•  Aside from benches, you can also convert these planks into coffee table storage.
•  I’m sure that you often see mounds of wooden pallets outside gardening or construction stores. They’re cheap and might appear unsightly—but don’t underestimate them. They can do wonders in clearing some space in your garden.
• You can use a wooden pallet to hang gardening tools (such as shovels and hose). You can inject potted plants every now and then to make the pallet more aesthetically pleasing. You can also repaint it!
• Wall racks aren’t just limited to the interiors of your home—you can also bring them outdoors. All you have to do is drill holes near the edge, and make sure that you can suspend your long-handled cleaning tools on them securely.

Re-purpose your old things.

• Refurbish old file cabinets. Junk the drawers, then position the cabinets horizontally on the floor. You can now use them to store your cleaning materials.
• Reuse your metal drums or cylindrical containers to store your hose.

Key Takeaway

Bear in mind that DIY storage projects aren’t just restricted to home décor or home improvement—your garden also needs them.

After religiously taking care of your garden, of making sure that the verdant bushes are dense, that the flowers are blooming, you certainly wouldn’t want your unappealing gardening tools to sully the scene—and this is where storage kits can come in handy.