Spring has sprung and with the cold grey of winter slowly fading, it’s the perfect time for a spring clean. But the annual declutter and comprehensive clean can be a daunting task. So we have some tips to help you break the big job into more manageable tasks (and some tips to make those tough jobs a little easier).

1. Create a cleaning schedule

A top-to-bottom spring clean can feel overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to start. To get things organised, it can help to create a cleaning schedule. Make a list of the jobs you want to get done and then create a cleaning schedule. Space the work out over a few weeks to give yourself ample time to get everything done and don’t overload on the difficult jobs (like oven cleaning or garage clearing) all at once. If you have cleaning helpers (lucky you!) make sure you distribute the tough jobs evenly and fairly (you don’t want anyone walking off the job).

2. Stock up on supplies

Before you kick off the cleaning, it’s important to make sure you have all the cleaning supplies ready to go. Stock up on cleaning products, disinfectants, cloths and sponges, paper towel and cleaning staples like white vinegar and baking soda. While you want to aim for a deep and thorough clean, you don’t want to overwhelm your home with harsh chemicals and eye-watering smells. Try to use eco-friendly and hypoallergenic products that are low in (or free from) VOCs, fragrances, irritants and flammable ingredients.

3. Start by decluttering

To make the cleaning process easier, start by decluttering the house. This will reduce the amount of stuff you have to clean and clear space to make cleaning easier. When decluttering, it’s worth investing in skip bin hire. A thorough house declutter can quickly overwhelm your curbside rubbish bin, leading to piles of clutter left around the house (which is sort of the opposite of spring cleaning). With a skip bin, you’ll have plenty of space to dispose of everything without overflowing your rubbish bin.

4. Save old T-shirts

While decluttering your wardrobe keep an eye out for a few old cotton T-shirts that you could bear to part with. These are great for streak-free and lint-free window and mirror cleaning and will save you from wasting cleaning cloths, newspaper or paper towel.

5. Don’t rush the oven clean

Everyone hates oven cleaning. But with a little patience you make the job a whole lot easier. Make a cleaning paste from baking soda and water. Spread this paste over the interior of the oven, especially over the baked-on crusty bits, and let it sit for about 12 hours (or overnight). Then simply wipe the inside of the oven down with a damp cloth to remove the paste. Spray the oven with white vinegar and give it a final wipe and you’re done. No scratching, no scraping, just a sparkling clean oven.

6. Use drop cloths

Some cleaning jobs seem to create more mess than they remove. Cleaning out the fridge and freezer, dusting ceiling fans, washing the insides of windows – all these jobs can leave a real mess on the floor. Using drop cloths under jobs like these will prevent the extra clean up.

7. Clean from top to bottom

This one’s an obvious time-saver. It makes no sense to mop the floors before dusting ceiling fans or to clean the stovetop before cleaning the range hood. Clean the highest areas first and work your way done. The floors should always be the last area you clean.

8. Purify the air

The whole idea behind spring cleaning is opening up the house to air it out after winter. So try to pick a calm spring day so you can leave as many doors and windows open as possible. Your cleaning activities are going to release a lot of dust into the air, so you want as much airflow through the house as possible to clear the air. You could also consider investing in an air purifier or firing up a few of your favourite scented candles. To help keep the air clear, make sure you thoroughly clean all heating and cooling vents, filters and ducts.

9. Hire a steam cleaner

For a deep carpet clean, nothing beats steam cleaning. If you hire a steam cleaner, make the most of it while you have it. Besides carpets and rugs, you can also steam clean upholstery, curtains, car seats, quilts and blankets. Just make sure you check the cleaning instructions before steam cleaning.

Nothing compares to a home that’s sparkling clean and fresh. This year take your spring cleaning to the next level and clean smart.