Let’s take a look at where these often dodged areas are in the home.
Skirting boards
It’s perhaps excusable that we don’t regularly clean our skirting boards, they are after all out of our line of sight. However, it is because of their position that they need to be cleaned more often. Scuffs from your hoover, mud from shoes and pets or simply an accumulation of dust can render your skirting boards very dirty, very quickly. Setting aside one day a month to go around the house with a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge will help you keep on top of cleaning them. Repair any gouges or scratches with wood filler and repaint the skirting boards every couple of years or as needed.
Ceilings
Ceilings form a large part of a room and despite being above our heads they should not be neglected. Use your vacuum or a long-handled duster to remove cobwebs and dust regularly. Any cracks, stains or peeling paint will negatively impact the aesthetic of the room so repairs and maintenance should be carried out quickly. This is just as much to preserve the structural integrity of the ceiling as it is to make it look good. Plastering a ceiling should be left to a professional as it is not an easy DIY job. However, you can fill small cracks, wipe the paintwork and repaint the ceiling if necessary.
Door handles
Door handles are not just functional, they form part of the aesthetic of our chosen decor. They are, however, neglected when it comes to cleaning and maintenance until there’s a problem. Keeping door handles in good condition not only prolongs their life but also maintains a level of cleanliness and hygiene. Germs and bacteria are easily transmitted on surfaces such as handles and dirt and grime build up to dull and tarnish the finish. Get in the habit of giving your door handles a wash regularly depending on how dirty they get and check them for loose screws, plates or stiff mechanisms.
Curtains and blinds
A job that is often consigned to the spring cleaning list is dealing with curtains and blinds but these items need to be cleaned more than once a year. Dust accumulates on fabrics just as much as it does on your hard surfaces and floors so make sure to include curtains and blinds in your regular vacuum schedule. If you have allergy sufferers in your home, you may want to wash curtains every couple of months, and give blinds a weekly wipe down with a damp cloth. This will help to control the dust levels and also keep your window dressings in good condition.
Light fittings
The light fittings in our homes are both functional and decorative so it’s important to clean them regularly. While we may give table and standard lamps a dust once a week, ceiling and wall lights may not receive the same attention. This can lead to a build up of dust which may be highlighted when you turn the lights on, potentially causing embarrassment if you have guests. When cleaning ceiling or wall lights, if you need to use a ladder make sure someone is holding it steady and don’t use liquids on light fittings, just a damp cloth. Don’t forget to give your switches and sockets a wipe too as they can become quite grimy over time if not regularly cleaned. Clean light fittings will show your rooms off at their best and add to their aesthetic.
Skirting boards
It’s perhaps excusable that we don’t regularly clean our skirting boards, they are after all out of our line of sight. However, it is because of their position that they need to be cleaned more often. Scuffs from your hoover, mud from shoes and pets or simply an accumulation of dust can render your skirting boards very dirty, very quickly. Setting aside one day a month to go around the house with a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge will help you keep on top of cleaning them. Repair any gouges or scratches with wood filler and repaint the skirting boards every couple of years or as needed.
Ceilings
Ceilings form a large part of a room and despite being above our heads they should not be neglected. Use your vacuum or a long-handled duster to remove cobwebs and dust regularly. Any cracks, stains or peeling paint will negatively impact the aesthetic of the room so repairs and maintenance should be carried out quickly. This is just as much to preserve the structural integrity of the ceiling as it is to make it look good. Plastering a ceiling should be left to a professional as it is not an easy DIY job. However, you can fill small cracks, wipe the paintwork and repaint the ceiling if necessary.
Door handles
Door handles are not just functional, they form part of the aesthetic of our chosen decor. They are, however, neglected when it comes to cleaning and maintenance until there’s a problem. Keeping door handles in good condition not only prolongs their life but also maintains a level of cleanliness and hygiene. Germs and bacteria are easily transmitted on surfaces such as handles and dirt and grime build up to dull and tarnish the finish. Get in the habit of giving your door handles a wash regularly depending on how dirty they get and check them for loose screws, plates or stiff mechanisms.
Curtains and blinds
A job that is often consigned to the spring cleaning list is dealing with curtains and blinds but these items need to be cleaned more than once a year. Dust accumulates on fabrics just as much as it does on your hard surfaces and floors so make sure to include curtains and blinds in your regular vacuum schedule. If you have allergy sufferers in your home, you may want to wash curtains every couple of months, and give blinds a weekly wipe down with a damp cloth. This will help to control the dust levels and also keep your window dressings in good condition.
Light fittings
The light fittings in our homes are both functional and decorative so it’s important to clean them regularly. While we may give table and standard lamps a dust once a week, ceiling and wall lights may not receive the same attention. This can lead to a build up of dust which may be highlighted when you turn the lights on, potentially causing embarrassment if you have guests. When cleaning ceiling or wall lights, if you need to use a ladder make sure someone is holding it steady and don’t use liquids on light fittings, just a damp cloth. Don’t forget to give your switches and sockets a wipe too as they can become quite grimy over time if not regularly cleaned. Clean light fittings will show your rooms off at their best and add to their aesthetic.
*Collaborative post
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