Queen of Clean regularly shares top cleaning tips and tricks with her 200k Instagram followers. She often appears on ITV’s This Morning and she has shared top jobs that cleaning fanatics should do right now before winter hits. Winter is just around the corner and cleaning throughout the colder months is just as important as a spring clean because many will be spending more time indoors.
Over time, mould, mildew and bacteria can build up in grout and so regularly removing this and cleaning will help prevent germs spreading around the home.
Clean the oven
Cleaning the oven is extremely important to remove grease and grime which can turn into germs and bacteria.
The Queen of Clean explains: “With the cold weather creeping in, we will be using our oven for more warm and homely foods – causing more grease and grime to build up.
“To keep your oven in pristine condition, I would recommend wiping over after use with a warm soapy cloth, if you find you don’t have the time to do this and your oven has quite a build-up of burnt grease and grim, use an oven scraper to get off as much as you can, there are many great oven cleaning products available from most supermarkets but if you want an eco-option a mixed solution of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda works really well.”
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Many may be spending more time at home during the colder months which means the oven will be in use more and more.
Clean your bedroom
Lynsey added: “It is amazing how our bedroom habits change in the colder months – the odd cup of tea, biscuits, cake in bed for instance. It’s not just our food crumbs but the dust caused by our skin too that settle in your mattress and duvet.
“Washing a duvet and sheets is typical but try to remember to vacuum your mattress at least once a week to prevent build up and stop the bed bugs biting. A light spritz with a lavender spray will help you sleep much better too!”
If the heating is on during the winter months, warm areas around the home can become a breeding ground for bed bugs.
“Keep a record of washing them and make a plan to wash them every week or two and use a fabric refresher spray in-between use.”
Pillows should be cleaned frequently too as sweat and germs can build up on them.
Clean your bins
Many never think to clean out their bins because they are protected with a bin liner.
However the truth is food may seep down the side of the bin bag and they need to be cleaned out regularly to stop nasty smells and flies.
The cleaning expert said: “Bins are the bacteria heaven of the home. “Create a chore chart for the house and ensure one member of the household empties them at least once a day. It will prevent smells, winter flies and not to mention the mucky tissues in there too!”
Clean your carpets
Lynsey recommends investing in a good carpet cleaner as they are high traffic areas of the home meaning they are more likely to pick up nasty germs and bacteria.
She explained: “You may have not been so thorough with carpet cleans in the summer as the dry weather doesn’t bring so many dirty footprints in. However, that doesn’t mean the dust and bugs aren’t present.
“A water carpet cleaner is great at cleaning up your carpets and for a secret trick – put a tiny bit of ACE for Colours in a large bowl of warm water to remove some of the more stubborn and ingrained stains.”
The Queen of Clean’s essential cleaning list includes:
• A duster or microfibre cloth to pick up cobwebs and dust
• A broom to sweep hard floors
• Sponges to wet-clean surfaces
• Stiff-bristled brushes to scrub difficult areas such as taps and between tiles
• Paper towels or dry cloth for wiping away excess dirt, drying and buffing
• A face mask if you are sensitive to dust
• A vacuum cleaner to clean the carpets, stairs and lampshades
• A mop and bucket for washing hard floors
• A multi-use cleaning spray – ACE Power Mousse is fantastic as a generic cleaner that can be used in the bathroom, the kitchen and on other surfaces around the home
• Specialised cleaners for any wood or silver
• Heavy duty rubbish bags to sort what you’re getting rid of
• Plastic tubs for organising cupboards