12 Time-Saving Spring Cleaning Tricks That Will Save Your Sanity

Place one cup of water and one cup of vinegar in a microwavable bowl and turn on the microwave for 5-10 minutes. This mixture will steam the inside of the oven, making it much easier to wipe away spills with paper towels.

Before you start sweeping, make sure your broom is clear of the dust bunnies it picked up last week (or last month). Swish the bristles around in warm, soapy water to remove any cling-ons and air dry. This way you won’t be pushing around old dust bits and increasing the length of your sweeping session.

This spring, pay special attention to the place where you put your waste – the garbage can. Food particles, meat juice (yuck) and other unsavoury items end up in this hardworking tub, so take the time to clean it properly. An easy way to disinfect it is to pop it in the bathtub, spray it down, wipe it out and turn it upside down to air dry.

If you’ve been staring at your area rugs thinking about what a pain it will be get them cleaned this spring, think again. Areas rugs only need to be professionally deep cleaned every four to five years. Although you should treat stains immediately with club soda and vigorous blotting.

Tackling your closet is a logical first step when it comes to spring cleaning – having a well-organized wardrobe will motivate you to sort out other problem areas. Donate items that no longer fit or suit your style and set up the rest according to use and colour.

While you’re laundering your pillows and duvets (yes, this should be done every few months), take advantage of the stripped bed and turn your attention towards the mattress. Use your vacuum’s crevice tool to clean surfaces and sides and treat any stains.

Having what you need for your spring clean all within arm’s length will not only cut down on time but also frustration. The simplest way to do that is to carry everything you need in a multi-pocketing cleaning apron (or a repurposed cook’s one).

Don’t forget to turn your focus outside this spring – cleaning your outdoor dining sets now means as soon as the sun really begins to shine you can enjoy them right away. Wipe down chairs and tables with warm water and a squirt of dish soap, then air dry.

If you have any mircofibre furniture, you need to know this stain-removing trick. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spritz on the affected area, then simply blot away the spots, stains or spills with paper towels.

If you’re using a canister of cleaning powder, only open the peel top half way. Blocking some of the holes will give you better control when shaking it so the product doesn’t come pouring out.

When looking for a simple way to dust off delicate lampshades, look no further than your closet. Sweep a sticky clothes lint roller up and down the shade, and months of dust will instantly be picked up in seconds.

Soap residue and mould can build up in a washing machine and start to smell – and then transfer to our now not-so-clean laundry. Start a hot cycle, then add white vinegar and baking soda, allowing them to sit for up to 60 minutes. Finish the cycle and wipe the barrel with ultra-absorbent paper towels to ensure it’s sparkling clean in a flash.