These Spring Cleaning Tips Will Help You Instantly Spruce Your Home
Spring has officially sprung and that means one thing: cleaning season is upon us.
After a long winter spent cooped up indoors, it's time to open up the windows, air out your home and yes, get rid of all the accumulated dust and dirt.
Whether it's a wardrobe refresh, the purchase of a new vacuum to help make your cleaning routine easier than ever or a swap to more environmentally friendly cleaning formulas and products, we've got you covered this spring.
To help you tackle your spring cleaning in the most efficient (and, dare we say, fun) way yet, we caught up with ENJO CEO Barb de Corti, who shared all the spring cleaning hacks you need to know about.
Her first tip? Make spring cleaning less overwhelming by breaking your cleaning schedule into smaller, more manageable tasks and "delegate, delegate delegate".
"Spring cleaning shouldn't be on one person, so it's vital to get everyone involved," says Barb.
"You can split the chores and compete to see who does the best job or turn it into a game by timing who can mop or dust the fastest.
"Start with the most important areas like the kitchen, bathroom and living room before moving on to bedrooms and the garage."
The biggest spring cleaning mistake people can make? Cleaning around mess, rather than through it.
"Spring cleaning isn't just about disinfecting the house, it's about reassessing your priorities and lifestyle so that the way your home is set up works for you," says Barb.
"I think everyone should start by decluttering each room so that when they get down to the business of cleaning, it's a lot easier to do."
It's important to remember too, shares Barb, that cleaning is also about putting health first, and not just about clearing up the mess.
"Spring cleaning should be about protecting your family's health over maintaining tidy spaces," she tells Sitchu.
"This is an opportunity to rid the house of toxic mould build-up that has set in over winter, airing out the house, and sweeping out all the dust and dust mites now that the weather is warming up.
"Deep clean the house room by room with a focus on removing allergens like dust and dirt, and make sure you use fibre cloths to trap the dirt rather than just moving dust and debris around the house."
Don't forget about the areas of the home that rarely get touched by a dustpan or cloth, like windows, outdoor areas like alfresco and barbecue spaces and the pantry.
"Perform maintenance on these neglected areas; re-oil decks and declutter storage areas. If repairs are needed, now is the time to do it so you can be ready for summer," says Barb.
The Essential Spring Cleaning Toolkit
"A spring cleaning toolkit should be kept minimal and basic - all you need is some fibre cloths and water," Barb says.
"I do recommend investing in a floor cleaner and a telescopic pole for those hard-to-reach places.
"Contrary to popular belief it is possible to cut down on your product use and this not only will save you some money, it will help keep chemicals out of your home and the environment.
"Each room in the house should have a bundle of cleaning fibres - ENJO's is colour-coded so you don't get them mixed up.
"If you want the complete set, ENJO has the Ultimate Cleaning Bundle which has everything you need to tackle the whole house for the next three years."
As for cleaning techniques, Barb swears by the "wet-wipe-dry technique" to clean thoroughly.
"Always clean from top to bottom," she says.
"Drying surfaces properly ensures bacteria and mould don't proliferate and undo all your hard work. Working from the top to bottom, dust the corners of the house and finish with a good mop."
And once the cleaning is done?
"After a job well done, reward yourself with a treat."
Now that's a cleaning routine we can get behind.
The Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products in Australia
Bondi Wash
Inspired by the beauty and fragrance of the Australian bush, Bondi Wash combines the power of Australian botanical plants with truly natural ingredients to create products that are safe for you and the planet. All the products are 99-100% derived from nature, beautifully fragrant and formulated to harness the unique therapeutic benefits (think anti-inflammatory and insect-repelling) of botanical oils. The Bench Spray from the brand's home range is a favourite; they also have a body care range, a baby range and a dog range designed for pets' sensitive skin and system.
ENJO
With over 30 years in the healthy cleaning business, it's safe to say ENJO knows what's what when it comes to replacing chemicals and disposable products with reusable fibre technology. Embracing the concept of "kinder cleaning", Australian founder Barb de Corti discovered ENJO on a trip to Austria and became determined to bring the company - and its products - Down Under. ENJO's fibre technology helps water to act as a solvent to loosen, dissolve and weaken dirt particles to leave you with a safer, healthier, better and chemical-free clean.
al.ive body
Combining product purity with designer aesthetic, al.ive body makes beautiful products that are Australian-made, vegan, cruelty-free and palm oil free. Founded by The Block winner's Alisa & Lysandra, the range harnesses the power of essential oils and native botanical extracts.
Who Gives a Crap
Yes, the company did start out producing eco-friendly, recycled toilet paper which made a difference (50% of the company's profits are donated to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world), Who Gives a Crap has grown into so much more. There are now Forest Friendly Paper Towels and Tissues on offer, but it's the Dream Cloths that catch our eyes when it comes to cleaning. One part sponge, one part cloth and "three parts marvellous", these colourful cuties are reusable and washable and perfect for cleaning up spills or wiping down appliances and countertops.
Banyar Jagun
A trailblazer in the cleaning industry, Indigenous-Owned Banyar Jagun makes not just safe but remarkably effective products. Backed by groundbreaking human cell research for unmatched safety, the brand believes effective cleaning shouldn't come at the expense of the environment or your health. Expect high-quality, plant-based ingredients that are tough on dirt and grime, but gentle on surfaces. The range includes an All Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Dishwashing Liquid, Disinfectant Spay and Floor Cleaner, as well as a range of Hand & Body Care products.
Loving our spring cleaning tips and picks of the best eco-friendly cleaning products in Australia and keen for more home inspo? Check out our review of the robot vacuum cleaner that revolutionised our cleaning schedule, or refresh your bedroom with these gorgeous bed sheet sets.
Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love and each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
