Spring cleaning is a fantastic time to make homes tidy and organized in western countries. But, there’s no such thing as spring cleaning in India, as families here have to tidy up their homes throughout the year. Here’s a guide that covers everything between room-by-room cleaning, and Indian cleaning traditions.
Cleaning Your Indian Home: A Year-Round Effort
Cleaning your Indian home might be a daily effort. Dust settles, clutter builds, and life throws curveballs. Do not worry! This detailed book goes beyond spring cleaning to create a quiet and ordered home year-round using practical tactics and traditional Indian cleaning methods.
Learn to Let Go and Declutter Like a Pro
Clutter must be addressed before cleaning. Use “power sessions” to thoroughly sort each room’s possessions. Use KonMari (spark joy!) or a basic categorization (keep, donate, discard, sell). Label boxes or bins for convenient sorting.
Room-by-Room Cleaning: Customized Cleaning
- Bedroom: A Sanctuary of Sleep
- Mattress Magic: Flip and rotate mattresses every few months to extend their lives.
- Enjoy Bedding: Regularly wash comforters, blankets, and pillows. Hire a cleaner or air them outside on a nice day. Use the dryer’s air cycle to refresh pillows without heat.
- Revive area rugs by deep cleaning or dry-cleaning them.
- Bathrooms: Sparkling and Sanitary
- Clean and disinfect bathrooms and deep clean cabinets, eliminating old medications and toiletries.
- Refresh: Replace bath mats, shower curtains, and liners for a spa-like atmosphere. Washable options simplify cleaning.
- Kitchens: Home’s Heart
- Pantry Power: Wipe away debris and replace shelf paper in cabinets and drawers. Old appliances and cookware can be donated or sold.
- Freshen your fridge and freezer regularly, taking attention to spills and outdated contents. Vacuum the coils under and behind the fridge for best performance.
Spring Cleaning: Deep Cleaning for a New Start
Spring cleaning is a terrific time for a deep clean, but add these routines into your routine for long-term cleanliness:
- Window Washing: Choose an overcast day to avoid streaks. Use a microfiber cloth or make a natural cleaning solution with ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, ⅓ cup vinegar, and distilled water.
- Deep Carpet Cleaning: Professional carpet cleaning every 12-18 months provides a thorough clean. Consider renting a deep cleaner for DIY.
- Remember the Hidden Areas: Baseboards, door frames, walls, and sliding door tracks (use an old toothbrush!) should be cleaned.
Refresh Furniture & Furnishings: Shining Interiors
- Leather Love: Clean and condition leather upholstery. Use a suede brush on nubuck.
- Wood Wonder: Create a natural wood polish by combining ½ teaspoon olive oil and ½ cup vinegar or lemon juice in a spray bottle.
- Window Treatment TLC: Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum curtains. Low-heat dryers with fabric softeners or professional dry cleaning are best for delicate sheers.
- Focus on Light Fixtures: Dust bulbs and fixtures with a microfiber cloth. Dust high ceilings with extendables. A moist vinegar cloth cleans filthy bulbs. For safety, switch off lights and let bulbs cool before cleaning.
Prepare for Every Season with Swaps and Safety Checks
- Seasonal Swaps: Take advantage of seasonal changes by switching clothes and gear. Clear your winter woolies for summer clothes. Clear bin labels make next season’s retrieval easier.
- Spring Safety Inspection: Check smoke and CO detector batteries in spring. Invest in a fire extinguisher and understand its appropriate use for peace of mind.
Home Exterior Upkeep: Curb Appeal
- Painting and Power Washing: Paint your home’s exterior every 10 years. Touch-ups between maintenance can increase siding life. Power washing exteriors eliminates filth and prevents mold and mildew. A pressure washer should be handled by an expert to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Maintaining Gutters: To prevent home water damage, clean and repair gutters and downspouts twice a year before heavy rains and after leaves fall.
- Seasonal Gear Storage: Swap snow shovels and salt for gardening equipment and potting supplies as the seasons change. Servicing your snowblower before storage.
Outdoor Furniture Update:
- Clean and repair patio furniture to enjoy the outdoors. Chipped paint can be revitalized with outdoor spray enamel.
Traditional Indian Cleaning Methods for a Natural Touch
Indian households have long used eco-friendly, effective natural cleaning methods. Some gems to add into your routine:
The natural disinfectant Neem Leaf and Salt Scrub is powerful for floors and surfaces. Scrub filth and grime using boiled neem leaves ground into a salt paste. Citric Power: Lemons and oranges clean well! Their acidity dissolves oil and dirt on stainless steel surfaces and equipment. Utensil Gram Flour: Besan Gram flour, or besan, cleans delicate equipment and utensils gently.
Small Steps, Big Results
Feeling overwhelmed by cleaning? Divide cleaning responsibilities into daily or weekly chores. A continuous effort is more successful than a weekend cleaning spree.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Natural Solutions
Avoid aggressive chemicals! Use vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice for most cleaning. They’re safe for kids and the environment and effective.
Stick to it: Consistency Matters
The secret to a clean home is consistency. Small regular cleaning sessions can keep a space tidy and clutter-free. Create a weekly cleaning schedule or assign jobs per day.
A Sparkling Haven
This detailed guide and little, regular efforts can turn your Indian house into a glittering, peaceful refuge. Use traditional, natural, and room-specific cleaning methods to create a place that matches your style and encourages peace of mind. A clean home is a happy home!
