September 11, 2017
Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Home
September has arrived and the weather is warming up. If you have neglected your home duties during the cooler months, a much needed (but equally dreaded) spring clean is probably in order.
Here are some tips to help you clean and spruce up your home.
• Declutter and let your home breathe
We could all use the extra space in the house and a spring clean can be the best time to declutter and throw out unnecessary items. Whether it’s an overflowing closet or a hallway cupboard stuffed with forgotten stuff, de-cluttering can also have a positive effect on your mood and outlook. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used / seen / enjoyed an item over the last year, it’s probably time you let it go!
• Refresh your refrigerator
With all the food and drink that we store in our refrigerators, it needs a good regular clean-out. A combination of salt and soda water makes a great detergent for those stubborn stains. This is also a good time to review what’s hiding in the back of your refrigerator. No doubt you’ll find some hidden gems that are out-of-date or no longer on the menu!
• Degrease your kitchen cabinets
The mixture of dust and grease that builds up over your kitchen top and cabinets might not be obvious to the naked eye. However, run your fingers over them and you’ll notice how dirty they can get. To remove the build up, dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe the cabinets. Then, rinse your cloth with warm water for a final wipe down. Be sure to also wipe the exhaust hood.
• Return unwanted (or expired) medicines to pharmacy
Although often overlooked, an important part of a spring clean is clearing out your home medicine cabinet. Storing expired and unwanted medicines can actually be hazardous and a source of accidental poisonings. It is important to regularly review what medicines you have around the home. Most people also keep medicines in different areas e.g. vitamins in the kitchen and pain relief or cold and flu medicine in the bathroom cabinet. Take a few minutes to carefully review medicine labels and take note of expire dates. Anything that’s out of date or no longer needed, be sure to take them out of the packaging, pack them in container or bag and take them to your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist will make sure they are disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly way. For more info, please visit www.returnmed.com.au.
• Shake it off and air it out
Most homes tend to get a bit stuffy after a long winter, with windows shut and balconies closed off. The arrival of the warmer weather is a good excuse to air out comforters, blankets, pillows and even carpets. Hanging items out on a sunny day is a good way to get rid of any germs and bacteria that may be nesting. Alternatively, perhaps it’s time to give bedding a professional clean or steam clean your carpet.
The Return of Unwanted Medicines Project is a free service that offers a way to dispose of unwanted or expired medicines safely and conveniently at your local community pharmacy. Find out more about the service here.