It’s spring cleaning time. Well, it’s actually summer (in the southern hemisphere anyway), but it’s still a good time do some much needed spring cleaning if you missed it – the days are warm, there’s fresh air and natural aromas wafting through open windows on gentle breezes.

Recently, I’ve been spring cleaning my own house (and life) and it makes such a big difference to how everyone feels at home, including my 3 cats and 2 dogs who live inside with us, who think it’s great inspecting and playing in all the stuff we’re planning to clean, sell, store, move or give away. The bonus of having kerbside pickup recently also helps to remove a lot of clutter, knowing that most of the materials put out will be recycled by the appropriate businesses.

Here are my top 25 spring cleaning tips (that you can do anytime of year):

1. In most homes, the lounge-room (living room) is the heart of the family, so it’s good to start there. Get out the vacuum and give all the carpets and rugs a good clean. If possible, steam clean your carpets.
2. Wooden furniture will glow after some gentle polishing.
3. Clear out the clutter! Get a box and load it up with all the old newspapers and magazines, then either throw or give them away.
4. Remember to freshen the curtains and lounges. Clean or wipe or polish or dust or wash them.
5. Wipe down blinds with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water.
6. Dust those hard-to-reach corners and windowsills.
7. In your bedroom, bring in some new energy by dividing your clothes into two piles or sections – those you wear often and those you don’t wear often. (This make a big difference).
8. Make a list or pile of things in your house that need mending – and do it!
9. Put all your doonas, blankets and pillows outside (on a fine day) for some good fresh air.
10.  Tidy up your bedroom (and other rooms) if you need to. Store things properly and neatly.
11.  In the bathroom, get rid of any used or empty shampoo containers, etc.
12.  Remember to disinfect your floors, sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets.
13.  Give your bathroom sink and other basins in your house a good scrub to get rid of any mould, water and soap marks and other deposits.
14.  Remember to give your shower a regular good scrub out. You’ll feel so much better and cleaner as you shower if your shower is sparkling clean.
15.  In the kitchen, keep everything neat and clean. Store everything in its proper place.
16.  Clean out your fridge and wipe it out well. A small container of bicarb soda in the fridge is great for absorbing odours in the fridge.
17.  Defrost your freezer. This will also help you save energy, and therefore money.
18.  Give your oven and grill a good clean and de-grease.
19.  Get rid of all food in your fridge and cupboards that’s old, off or out of date.
20.  Let more fresh air into your home. Clean your windows and open them more often.
21.  Give your walls, doorknobs, windowsills, ornaments, photos frames, phones and everything else a good wipe and clean.
22.  Give all your electrical appliances a good clean also – washing machine and dryer, microwave, toaster, blender, juicer, TV, air conditioner, etc.
23.  Clean outside your home also. Clean all outside furniture. Mow lawns. Trims overgrown gardens. Get rid of rubbish. Sweep paths and decks. And if you have one, clean your pool.
24.  Clear out all your gutters too. Help water run away from your house, or into your tank.
25.  When you’re finished all this spring cleaning, sit back with a cold drink and enjoy the new look and feel of your home (or you could have done this to your business also.) Well done!