The Ultimate Eco Spring Cleaning Guide

Whether you're planning to handle the task yourself or hire a cleaner, follow this eco spring cleaning checklist to make sure you target all areas.

Eco-friendly cleaning materials

Chemical cleaning products are efficient, but it's becoming ever harder to ignore the consequences for the local ecosystem and the health issues that can arise if toxic chemicals are absorbed by the body & the impact on pets.

Fortunately, there are now many eco-friendly cleaning products available from stores, along with natural home remedies that can sometimes work just as well. To green your spring clean:

• Use washable cloths that can be reused, not disposable paper towels
• Check cleaning product labels for terms like 'biodegradable,' 'recyclable' and 'non-toxic'
• For ethical purchasing, check that products are cruelty free, don't contain palm oil and that manufacturers support fair and ethical working conditions
• Save water by filling a bucket rather than running the tap every time you need it
• Kitchen staples such as baking soda, lemon and vinegar can be effective for removing stains, germs and odours
• Wear protective gloves and make sure rooms are well ventilated when using cleaning products other than water
• Let the fresh spring air into your home to air dry and freshen your rooms, rather than using air fresheners

Living areas

Living rooms and bedrooms are where most of us spend most of our time at home, so they can accumulate a lot of dirt. If you only do a big clean once a year, make sure you include walls, ceilings and other surfaces that may get neglected in routine maintenance.

Ceilings – use a mop that gives you enough reach to clean ceilings. Ceiling fans should be wet dusted to remove dust that could circulate in the air.

Lights – light bulbs and shades can be cleaned using slightly damp microfibre cloths, making sure the bulb is fully cool before cleaning. If you still have old incandescent bulbs, replace these with LEDs to save energy.

Walls – wipe down walls, doors, window frames and light switches with a cloth and warm water, or eco-friendly cleaning products to remove marks.

Windows – use an eco-friendly glass cleaner and allow it to settle for a few minutes before wiping window panes clean. Blinds and curtains may be dusted, put through an eco wash cycle or hand washed, depending on the material.

Floors – remove all furniture and furnishings to reveal the entire floor, then thoroughly vacuum and clean with a diluted all-purpose cleaner.

Furniture – vacuum upholstery and wash any removable covers. Sprinkle baking soda and vacuum after 15 minutes to remove odours.

Surfaces – dry and wet dust all tables, shelves and other surfaces.

Electronics – clean screens with a dry or slightly damp cloth and wipe down remote controls and other hand-held devices. If you have air conditioners, clean the ducts, coils and filter so it runs at optimal efficiency.

Cupboards – after cleaning wardrobes and linen closets, you might want to take the opportunity to see if you can donate or recycle old items you no longer need, rather than sending them to landfill.

Kitchen

Even a small kitchen can be a big cleaning job, but you can make the task more manageable by breaking it down step by step.

Counters – clear kitchen counters and thoroughly wipe down the surfaces, backsplash, knife blocks and other accessories.

Cabinets and drawers – wipe down all surfaces, remove stains and crumbs and reorganise contents, removing anything you don't need.

Oven – clean inside and outside the oven, cooktop and range hood, avoiding chemical cleaners that can create dangerous fumes.

Fridge and freezer – remove and wipe down shelves and trays, vacuum refrigerator coils and throw out items that are expired or not needed.

Sink and dishwasher – clean and de-clog drains, scrub all surfaces and run the dishwasher self-cleaning cycle.

Small appliances – wipe down surfaces and remove crumbs, dirt and grime from toasters, microwave ovens, coffee makers and other electronics. Store or donate appliances you don't use.

Depending on the layout of your kitchen, you may also need to clean floors, tables, stools, windows, bins or other fixtures.

Bathroom

Bathrooms have unique cleaning requirements, but that doesn't mean you have to use chemicals. As well as general cleaning for floors, walls and ceilings, here's how to make your bathrooms fit for royalty.

Declutter – when cleaning shelves and cabinets, clear out empty bottles, plastic packaging and other items that tend to accumulate.

Fan – wash vent covers and wipe fan blades with a cloth or vacuum brush attachment.

Sink – dry dust all surfaces and hardware, then spray with eco-friendly disinfectant or homemade cleaner. Allow this to sit before wiping and rinsing clean.

Bath and shower – remove and wash shower curtains and wipe down the tub or shower alcove, taking care to remove dirt from grout, crevices and soap holders.

Toilet – apply eco or homemade disinfectant and baking soda to the toilet bowl to eliminate bacteria and odours, then flush away.

Outdoors

Don't neglect your outdoor area when you're doing your big clean. Depending on what you have in your garden, yearly maintenance should cover:

Sweeping – thoroughly sweep paths and patios and remove cobwebs using a duster.

Gutters – it's important to clean your gutters and remove leaves and other debris at least once a year, or more often if there are trees nearby.

Windows – use an eco-friendly or homemade glass cleaner or hire a steam machine to restore clarity to external window panes.

Walls – pressure washing takes the hard work out of cleaning external walls, as long as it's set to a safe level to avoid damaging your siding.

Garage – declutter and thoroughly clean the garage, using a hose or pressure washer on the garage door.

Deck – inspect wooden decks for damage and re-stain if needed before carefully scrubbing it clean. Other deck materials can be pressure washed, though more attention may be needed for stains.

Grill – dismantle your grill or BBQ and wash and wipe all components thoroughly before reassembling.

Outdoor furniture – scrub or pressure wash your patio and garden furniture, depending on the material and its strength.

Bins – clear out leaves and gunk from the bottom of bins and scrub or pressure wash them clean, so taking out the trash will be less of a chore.

Need a professional cleaner in Perth?

If your home's due for a spring clean or you need other cleaning services for your home or office, Fastidious Clean specialises in eco-friendly and chemical-free cleaning products.

To find out how we can help and get your no-obligation quote, call Rhonda on 0409 688 854 or contact us today. We serve all Perth metro areas.