Spring is a notoriously popular time of the year to sell your home. But before you get started listing your property to attract potential buyers, it is important to prepare your home to sell first so that prospective buyers can see the home in its truest potential. Here are our top spring cleaning tips to get you started.
Ask for a helping hand
If your house is particularly large or unmanageable, ask loved ones to lend a helping hand. The more hands on deck, the more efficient and productive you will be. Reward friends and family with a cooked dinner or takeaway as a thank you for the extra help.
Preparation is key
Write a comprehensive to-do list as well as a detailed shopping list of any cleaning products you need to stock up on prior to the cleaning day. This will save you time and ensure you don’t need to pop out to restock in midst of the big clean. Make sure you have everything covered including gloves, cleaning equipment, binbags, and plenty of water, tea and snacks for you and your team of helpers.
Make sure children and pets are occupied
The last thing you will need is children running around or pets getting in the way. Arrange for them to be looked after for the day, or keep them preoccupied in the garden while you’re cleaning indoors.
Clean rooms in a particular order
You will want to start off with the toilet or bathroom to ensure it is clean as this is likely the first room you will need to use throughout the day. Then move on to the kitchen so you can pause for a coffee break throughout the day, and keep the bedrooms until last.
Work from the top down
There is nothing worse than cleaning your floors first and then realising they will need cleaning all over again once you have finished. Begin each room by cleaning the curtain rails, windows, light fittings and the top of any cupboards first, then move onto furniture, and then the floor to sweep up any remaining dust.
Open windows and doors
Ensure you are airing out each room as you clean and let the fresh air in. The last thing you will need is the potent smell of cleaning products after a big spring clean.
Cleaning your fridge
Use the crevice nozzle of your vacuum cleaner to remove food crumbs from the bottom of the fridge door seal. Then use antibacterial spray or warm soapy water to wipe down the inside and outside of the fridge.
Remove tough stains from patios
Use hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush to banish any grease marks. For tougher stains, mix a solution of half vinegar and half water. Pour onto the slabs and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub with a brush, then rinse with clean water.
Get stains out of chopping boards
Give your chopping boards a new lease of life. Cut a lemon in half and run the cut side over the board to get rid of food stains and smells. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
Remove coffee stains from mugs
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of your stained cup. Add just enough water or dish soap to form a paste, and scrub. The gentle abrasion of the baking soda will get rid of stains in a matter of minutes. Then, simply rinse and wash.
Freshen up your waste disposal
Run a few lemon rinds through the disposal and rinse with cool water. You could also add a few ice cubes. The citrus oil can give the disposal a pleasant smell. This freshening method works best on relatively clean disposals.
Linen closet organisation
Place your matching bed sheet, duvet cover, and extra pillowcases inside one pillowcase to save space and simplify your storage. Fold any extra material under and stack on top of other sets in your linen closet.
Hotel fluffy towels
Towels can feel stiff when they have a build-up of soapy residue. The secret to luxuriously soft towels is to wash them on a warm wash with a cap of white vinegar. If using a dryer, toss in a clean tennis ball or dryer ball as the movements will help them fluff up your towels.
Use light bulbs to scent your room
Make sure the light is switched off at the plug and the bulb is not hot, spray your favourite fragrance or room spray onto the bulb. Now your room will smell lovely whenever you turn the light on.
Decorative baskets
Organise your home and keep surfaces free from clutter. You can store toiletries, toys, shoes and even charging cables in decorative baskets. Materials such as wicker and bamboo are perfect seasonal additions for spring. Always keep a basket free to sweep clutter into when an unexpected guest pops over.
Contact us
For a fresh start this spring, contact your local Fine & Country agent to begin your journey to finding your dream home.