Business Post Contributor
By SweepSouth
Having a clean home is what everyone desires irrespective of who you are, but taking time out to clean up your house could be frustrating, especially when it comes to cleaning every corner of your home. If this is the case for you, you need not worry – here are fast and effective tips from Awazi Angbalaga, Country Manager for a cleaning services company, SweepSouth on how your domestic workers can give your home a sparkly facelift.
Kitchen cleaning tricks
Give coffee and tea mugs a refresh by removing old stains. Fill the mug halfway with white vinegar, then top it up with boiling water. Allow sitting for at least 15 minutes, before washing well.
Rid your microwave of old food splatters by placing a microwavable bowl filled with one-third vinegar and two-thirds water inside the microwave. Heat for five minutes until the microwave is steamed up. Baked-on food splatters will now be soft enough to remove with a quick wipe. If not, simply repeat the process.
Add gleam to stainless steel kitchen appliances like fridges and dishwashers by rubbing coconut oil or baby oil onto them with a soft cloth. And, if your dishwasher smells funky, fill a mug with vinegar, place it in the top rack of an empty dishwasher, and then run it for a normal cycle.
Kitchen cupboards and cabinets are real dirt traps, and we often don’t realise how much dust and dirt is building up inside them, says Awazi. “When you’re cleaning them, the trickiest bits are often the corners and areas around hinges. To reach them, use an old toothbrush dipped into the cleaning solution and, for really tight spots, try an earbud moistened with cleaner to help remove grime,” she advises.
Lounge reviver
Vacuum cleaners often have a stale smell. Give yours a refresh by cleaning the hoses, filter and canister with a solution of bicarbonate of soda and water. Rinse with water, then allow to dry. Next, pop a ball of cotton wool that’s been dipped into a fresh-smelling essential oil, like lemon or eucalyptus, into the vacuum bag for a fresh smell every time you vacuum.
A clever tip to remove any old chewing gum stuck to the carpet by drenching it with a thorough spritz of hairspray. The gum will harden, and you’ll be able to scrape it off with a knife.
Get rid of water stains on wooden coffee tables by applying Vaseline and leaving it overnight, says Awazi. “The next day, wipe the mark away using Vaseline. You can also try mixing equal parts vinegar and olive oil, then, using a cloth and moving with the wood grain, applying the mixture to the area. Use another dry soft cloth to buff it up.”
Bathroom cleanse
Refresh your shower and get rid of soap scum and mould with a natural shower scrub. Mix three cups of water with three teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spray on the shower walls and floor, leave for half an hour, spray again, then scrub to remove residue and rinse.
Banish black spots of mould or mildew in your bathroom basin’s sealant by applying a paste made with one part lemon juice to one part bicarbonate of soda. Leave the paste on for two hours, then rinse off.
To rid your drain of smells, mix half a cup of bicarbonate of soda with a quarter cup of salt. Sprinkle the mixture down the drain, followed by a cup of warm white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then pour hot water down the drain.
Bedroom freshener
Bedroom curtains and pelmets are dust and allergen traps. Wipe down the pelmets, then use your vacuum cleaner on a low setting to give your curtains a quick once-over. If you have a clothes steamer, use it on your curtains once they’re dusted, to refresh them.
Give your wardrobe a good clean before you pack your winter clothes away. Take out all the clothing inside the cupboard, vacuum up any dust then wipe down the inside with a mild water and soap solution to get rid of dust and dirty marks Once your clothes are packed back into the cupboard, place blocks of cedar wood on the shelves to repel moths. Sachets filled with fresh lavender or rosemary and hung from the clothing rail will also act as a moth deterrent, plus add a fresh scent to your wardrobe.
Giving your home a thorough clean from top to bottom can be tiring, but it’s definitely worth it in how fresh your space will feel afterwards. If you don’t have the time to do a deep clean, get a professional cleaner from SweepSouth to help with intensive chores. That way you will have a sparkling clean home, plus you’ll have free time to focus on other responsibilities in your life.
