www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | home TIME FOR THE REAL DEAL Home improvement with new eye-catching, statement products is one way to brighten your spaces with beauty and colour. But there are phases in the year that call for an overhaul of your existing belongings, sans spending any dinars on new things. Ditch the thought of a new futon, console or yet another floral tablecloth to lift your home’s spirit. It’s the time to look inwards – rather than outside – to create a serene environment at home. Before you go all Marie Kondo on your house, reflect on how your home makes you feel. Does it need a serious dose of decluttering (err, hello stacks of magazines and paper-work from 2015), or some serious heavy-lifting to raise its spirit? With the idea that your interiors reflect your life, go forth and make your private sanctuary one that you will love spending more time in. An Effective Deep Clean Clean the Cleaners Remove dust bunnies from the broom and disinfect it by soaking in antiseptic solution at least once a month. Giving the mop and the toilet brush a wash after daily use is the best way to ensure they are free of bacteria and that mouldy stench they can sometimes develop. Empty the vacuum cleaner's dirt bag regularly. Run the washer and dryer on a cleaning cycle and sanitise or discard well-used sponges and brushes. Upholstery and Mattresses Invisible dust mites love your mattress and sofa as much as you do. To stop sharing your comfort with them, vacuum the mattress top and sides, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda all over the top and let it sit for a good few minutes before going over it with suction again. To lift mattress stains, spray with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and a few drops of dish washing liquid. Blot with a clean towel and let it air-dry thoroughly. One Area at a Time Trying to deep clean the whole house at one go may require time and immense stamina. Not to mention patience and emotional endurance. Don’t buckle under being overwhelmed by a single, mammoth task. Tackling individual rooms, or specific areas in large rooms, is the secret to successful (and effective) spring cleaning. Wipe Down Going over door knobs, handles, chairs, tables and taps regularly with a disinfectant-soaked microfibre cloth or wipe is effective in evacuating the bug colonies from them. Don’t forget the walls, windows and bathroom tiles for your big deep clean. Doing the Purge Rummage through kitchen and bathroom cabinets, wardrobes, shoe racks, book shelves, filing cabinets, makeup kits and storage cupboards to identify anything that is either at the end of its life (the comfiest scruffy tee-shirt that is tearing at the seams) , or you know you will likely never need again (here’s looking at you, green leprechaun hat) and say goodbye. April 2020 18
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