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The start of spring is the traditional time for a deep clean and reset. While the weekly run around with a Shark Steam Pickup 3-in-1 Steam Mop and spritz with a spray is more than adequate most of the time, there are forgotten parts of your home that never feel the touch of a sponge – and it shows.
Follow these tips to find scum where it hides and greet the new season with a truly fresh home.
Deep cleaning the kitchen
Fridge: Deep clean the fridge by unplugging and emptying it, then remove all the shelves and wash them in soapy water. Wipe out the inside with hot, soapy water, or a mild, non-toxic spray.
Pull out the fridge and clean underneath and behind. Take the opportunity to gently vacuum and wipe the coils to ensure efficient operation.
Dishwasher: Dirty filters equal clean dishes coming out ‘dirty’, but also that dishwasher pong – odour-causing bacteria love this kind of oily biofilm and will make their presence known,” says Jane Anderson of Figgy & Co.
Remove and clean the filters and the spray arms, and then wipe the seals. Next, Jane advises using citric acid for a deep clean. “The pH shock will kill germs lurking deep within pipes and dissolve and remove limescale with ease,” she says, suggesting ½ cup citric acid in the dispenser and sprinkled on the bottom – run a hot cycle and you’re done.
Microwave: Give your microwave a lemony-fresh deep clean. Half fill a bowl with water and half a lemon (or a few drops of lemon oil) and microwave for five minutes. Leave for another five to steam off all the mess, then wipe clean. Wash the turntable in soapy water, then wipe the outside with a microfibre cloth.
Floor: Finish with a thorough floor clean in this high-traffic area. Thank goodness for Shark’s Steam & Scrub Mop. It makes light work of kitchen floors with its simultaneous scrubbing and sanitising action, combined with the power of steam. It’s a chemical-free clean for sealed hard floors, including tiles, marble, hardwood and stone.
Deep cleaning the bathroom:
Grout: Tile grout can get super grotty, especially in a high-use space like the bathroom. Make a paste with baking soda and a little water, apply it to the grout lines and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a brush – narrow grout brushes are ideal for the task – then rinse well.
Extractor fan: Dust build-up can affect the function of your fan, but while the manufacturer’s instructions often advise just a gentle vacuum, the combination of dust and moisture virtually needs a jackhammer to shift.
Turn off the circuit, remove the vent cover, soak in soapy water and scrub. With a brush attachment, vacuum the fan and motor housing with the powerful Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum, then wipe with a microfibre cloth.
Toilet: To tackle hidden scum and stains, remove the toilet seat entirely, place upside down on a towel and apply a paste of baking soda and water; leave for 20 minutes, then rinse clean. (Note: Truly scabby loo seats can usually be replaced.)
For the bowl, mix a 2:1 ratio of baking soda and citric acid, add it to the bowl and scrub. Chase it with half a cup of white vinegar, let it fizz for a few minutes, then scrub and flush. Finally, hold the toilet brush over the bowl and pour boiling water over.
Deep cleaning the laundry:
Washing machine: “Over time, washing machines collect a biofilm called ‘scrud’ – a nasty mix of body oils, leftover product, minerals and bacteria, which leads to stinky laundry, black
specks and even reduced machine life,” says Jane. Dismantle and clean all removable parts (refer to the manual), such as the lint filter, detergent drawer and water hose.
Scrub the drum and the rubber seal. Then, Jane suggests adding citric acid to the drum (1/4 cup for front loaders, ½ cup for top loaders); “Run the hottest, longest wash cycle. If you have a top loader, your machine may have a soak or hold feature you can use to extend the cycle length. One deep clean is normally sufficient, but repeat if you are still getting dark flecks of scrud flushing out.”
Dryer: Empty the lint trap (you should do this between every load) and gently clean it in soapy water. Use a microfibre cloth to wipe out the interior – try diluted vinegar if it’s whiffy, but keep away from the seals, as vinegar degrades rubber.
The rest of the cleaning will depend on the type of dryer – vented, condenser, or heat pump. Dust and fluff will need to be cleaned from relevant parts to keep it operating efficiently and safely – refer to the manual for your model.
Deep cleaning bedrooms:
Window treatments: Venetian blinds and shutters should be dusted and wiped with a damp cloth. Curtains can be washed – but check the fabric instructions first. If they’re not dry-clean only, handwash or wash on a gentle cycle, line dry out of direct sunlight and steam or iron before rehanging. Give insect screens a gentle scrub with soapy water and a good rinse.
Mattress: “Our mattresses cop a lot. Between the skin we shed, moisture we exhale and the dust mites that move in for a buffet, it’s no wonder things get a little… musty,” says Jane. “Vacuum your mattress using the upholstery attachment. This will remove dust, pollen and dust mites that cause allergies. Asthmatics, in particular, will benefit from this step.”
Deodorise by sprinkling with baking soda, then leave for an hour before vacuuming with the Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum. Jane then suggests mixing a fragrant spray with 100ml cooled boiled water, 50ml vodka, and 20–30 drops of essential oils.
Bedding: Your sheets (hopefully) get a regular wash, but what about your pillows, quilts and mattress toppers? Always check the instructions first, but generally, pillows and down or synthetic bed covers can be popped in the wash, with a gentle spin cycle. Tumble dry with dryer balls and keep going until you’re sure it’s dry – better to over-dry than leave moisture in the filling, which may cause mould.
Note: latex and memory foam pillows and mattress toppers need a different treatment; vacuum with the trusty Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum, use baking soda to deodorise, and gently spot clean stains.
Deep cleaning living spaces:
Walls and ceilings: Though they might look fine from a distance, a closer inspection of walls and ceilings likely reveals dust, scuff marks, fingerprints and fly spots. If they’re very stained, use sugar soap and lots of elbow grease. If only lightly dusty and fly-spotted, you can quickly skim over them with a clean, damp microfibre cloth.
Windows: Let in that sparkling spring sunlight. For a quick clean, mist with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, then wipe with a lint-free cloth.
For super grimy windows, Jane suggests a mix of 1-2 teaspoons castile soap in 500ml water. “Spray this onto the glass and give it a good scrub. A squeegee is very handy to blade off the soapy water,” she says. “Wipe frames and sills – use undiluted castile soap plus a toothbrush for stubborn mould. Finish with the vinegar spray routine for that streak-free sparkle.”
Carpets: Give them a thorough vacuum with the Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System because a clean floor psychologically makes the entire house feel decluttered. And this vacuum has Odour Neutraliser Technology to help freshen your home. Even better, it picks up debris with every forward and back stroke, while other vacuums only do this on a forward stroke – time saving.
Related articles:
- Wet and dry vacuums: The ultimate cleaning hack for busy homes
- 15 spots in your home you may be forgetting to clean
- Five tips to help you declutter and refresh your home
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