Spring Cleaning Can Be Quite Enjoyable!

If we're overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work involved in cleaning, there's a good chance we'll… give up, because it will be too much to handle. That's why it's a good idea to break the work down into smaller chunks, so it doesn't overwhelm us and knock us off our feet before we even pick up the first cleaning cloth ;)

So, let's set a schedule – today we'll tackle the wardrobe, tomorrow the bathroom, and the day after tomorrow the children's room. Think of each room as a separate project; consider what will be most useful for organising that particular space and get to it, without worrying about how much more lies ahead. Just think about the next step – that's the best way to get through a marathon!

Any seasoned DIY enthusiast will tell us that without the right tools for the job, there's no point even starting! There's something to that. Good tools and a plan are half the battle (the other half is our enthusiasm and motivation, but unfortunately, that can't be bought). Whoever starts selling motivation by the kilogram will quickly make millions. In the meantime, we have to make do...

If we had to name a brand that loves cleaning, Brabantia would immediately spring to mind. Designer, colourful recycling bins, drying racks, storage containers, hangers, protective covers – anything your heart desires. And many other items for the kitchen or bathroom. That's why some of the products that might come in handy for spring cleaning have received lovely discounts of -15%!

An indispensable part of spring cleaning is swapping out winter clothes for spring ones. Farewell chunky jumpers and puffa jackets, welcome spring floral dresses and straw hats (we might have gotten a bit carried away here, but you get the drift). Changing winter clothes in the wardrobe is an excellent time to honestly ask ourselves – how much of this stuff do we actually wear, and how much is just cluttering up our wardrobe in the hope that "I'll squeeze into it someday" or "hmmm... I haven't worn this polka-dot jumper in years, but maybe the fashion will come back?". Let's be ruthless and give away things we don't need. There are many charities, organisations, or collection drives that will gladly take good condition items off our hands. We can also organise clothes swap parties, which are all the rage worldwide. We meet up at a house party and swap clothes with friends. It's a great way to refresh our wardrobe for free and in the spirit of recycling!

There's probably nothing more frustrating than rummaging through the wardrobe in the morning when we're rushing to the office or to catch a tram, and we can't find anything because all the clothes have somehow formed one shapeless mass. Here, clothes hangers will prove indispensable, helping us to figure out what we actually own.
We also encourage you to read our magazine about how to keep your wardrobe tidy.

Do you know anyone who loves scrubbing bathroom tiles and wiping away soap scum? If so, we'd love to meet that person. But for most of us, it's a tiresome and necessary chore, so let's get it over with as quickly as possible! Besides dedicated cleaning products, the right brushes and scrubbers will come in handy to reach the darkest corners of our bathroom. Bathrooms aren't usually the size of those in Versailles (not that we've been there), so it's worth organising all loose items into specific spaces. Cleaning products (properly secured from children and pets) in one container, cosmetics on a dedicated shelf, laundry in a separate basket, and so on.

To make finding the products you need easier, we've prepared separate sections:

Bathroom Bowls

Bathroom Shelves and Cabinets

Laundry Baskets and Bins

The bathroom holds many nooks and crannies, so we need to look at it with a suspicious eye and see... what isn't visible. For example, it's important to clear drainpipes in the sewage system regularly (first check if harsh cleaning agents are suitable for your pipes) and remove hair and debris from shower drains, as well as from the washing machine. This will help us avoid strange bathroom odours. It's also worth removing limescale from fittings periodically (e.g., with vinegar) and then polishing them (e.g., with a cloth soaked in olive oil). Do not use harsh scourers or brushes on fittings, as you can easily damage them.
Many cleaning products can be prepared at home – such as a solution of citric acid, water with vinegar, or baking soda.

Try to regularly clean the tiles in the shower, as residue often builds up there. If you don't want to use irritating chemical agents, you can use a solution of water and vinegar. For cleaning grout, you can use baking powder, which you leave on the dirty grout for several minutes and then rinse off.

Many people store their jewellery in the bathroom, but we strongly advise against it! Jewellery quickly loses its lustre when exposed to water, detergents, and steam. It's worth storing it in a closed box, away from air and light, in special jewellery boxes, to best protect it and at the same time display it, so it's clear where everything is.

The kitchen is probably the only room where mess seems to appear so often. After every cooking session, you have to clean up, after every guest visit too, and then there's spring cleaning on top of it all. So, let's do it smartly and get this misery over with! First and foremost, group your accessories together using kitchen organisers, where you can store kitchen utensils, sponges, and cloths. Food storage containers, in turn, will help you keep food fresh, even after opening the original packaging.

Next, drawer by drawer, check if all your "kitchen treasures" are truly essential. The more we have, the quicker mess appears! So, perhaps it's time to say goodbye to that box of toothpicks from '93?

To reach all the nooks, crannies and grout, it's worth having the right tools. Hence our section with all sorts of clever brushes and scrubbers for kitchen cleaning.

Stains and discolouration on the sink – a common problem that can be removed with a paste of baking soda and water applied directly to the spots. Alternatively, you can fill the sink basin with water, add some washing powder or a dishwasher tablet, and leave it for at least a few hours.

Degreasing dishes and cutlery – here, it's worth trying a seemingly mad but effective method. Cover the crockery with a thin layer of... mustard, polish, and then wash off.

Cleaning the fridge – the fridge works hard for us, so it's worth taking care of it. For tried and tested natural solutions, we recommend baking soda with soap and warm water, or water with vinegar. After cleaning, the fridge should be thoroughly dried and left open to completely air out. If you want to get rid of unpleasant odours, it's worth investing in an odour absorber, e.g., with charcoal, but ground coffee in a bowl works just as well.

Rubbish bin – the bin can be a breeding ground for bacteria if we don't take proper care of it. It's worth choosing bins without too many nooks and crannies, with well-fitting bags, and ones that are easy to disinfect. The bin can be washed with hot water and washing-up liquid, soda, or vinegar.

Finally, the rooms where the life of the home is concentrated – the living room and bedroom. Here, it's worth mobilising and rolling up our sleeves, because we'll be enjoying our achievements every day.
If your sofa and armchair have never experienced the wonderful feeling of having their upholstery cleaned, then give them that treat. Nowadays, there are many companies offering mobile services of this type. We can also tackle it ourselves without professional preparation and accessories; either way, the effect will be noticeable. If we want to protect our sparkling clean furniture from malicious attacks from our children's crayons or our dogs, then consider placing some lovely throws on them.

Let's also try to put away items lying loose into wardrobes, drawers, and decorative baskets – these are what create a sense of chaos in the space and optically shrink the room. We recommend our magazine on storage from A to Z.

Let's not forget the windows either – window cleaning is a never-ending story. There are advocates of cleaning with natural products, newspapers, or steam cleaners. The important thing is that it works and that our windows sparkle. After all, we want to admire the coming spring through them, don't we?