LIFESTYLE NEWS - Spring is the perfect time to open the windows, clear away the winter dust and give your home a fresh start. But spring-cleaning does not have to mean spending an entire weekend scrubbing every surface or buying an expensive collection of cleaning products.
Elizabeth Bambo, executive housekeeper at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, has years of experience maintaining rooms to high hospitality standards.
Her approach highlights the value of good cleaning habits, working in the right order and paying attention to the small details that can make a difference.
Here are seven practical tips to make spring-cleaning more manageable.
1. Keep your flowers fresh for longer
Fresh flowers can brighten a room, but it is disappointing when they wilt after only a few days.
To help your roses last, start with a clean vase, fresh water and stems trimmed at an angle. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, as these can encourage bacterial growth, and change the water regularly.
Aspirin is sometimes recommended as a home remedy to extend the life of cut flowers, but the evidence for its effectiveness is limited.
Clean water, a clean vase and regular stem trimming are more reliable ways to help flowers stay fresh. “Fresh flowers make any room feel cared for,” says Bambo.
To help your roses last, start with a clean vase, fresh water and stems trimmed at an angle.
2. Give your towels the right care
Nothing feels quite as inviting as a clean, fluffy towel. Over time, however, detergent residue, hard water and excessive use of fabric softener can leave towels feeling stiff or looking dull.
Wash towels according to the care label, using the recommended amount of detergent. Avoid overloading the washing machine, and make sure towels dry thoroughly between uses.
White vinegar is sometimes suggested as an alternative to fabric softener, but it should not be treated as a universal solution. Repeated use may affect washing-machine components, and it should never be mixed with bleach.
If your towels have become less absorbent, try reducing the amount of detergent and skipping fabric softener.
Bambo recommends paying attention to the details of laundry care to keep household linen fresh and comfortable.
3. Leave mirrors until last
Have you ever cleaned a mirror, only to find it covered in dust and streaks again by the time you finish the room?
The solution may be as simple as changing the order in which you clean.
Dust shelves, wipe surfaces and clean the rest of the room before tackling mirrors and glass. Use a clean microfibre cloth and a suitable glass cleaner, wiping from top to bottom. A second dry microfibre cloth can help remove any remaining streaks.
“A streak-free mirror is the quickest way to make any room look properly clean,” says Bambo.
4. Freshen fabrics without overdoing the fragrance
Curtains, cushions, throws and upholstered furniture can absorb everyday odours, making a room feel less fresh even after the surfaces have been cleaned.
Start by vacuuming upholstery and washing removable covers according to their care instructions. Open the windows when conditions allow to improve ventilation.
If you want to use a fabric refresher, choose a product designed for the material and follow its instructions. Test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to check for staining or discolouration.
Avoid spraying homemade mixtures containing fabric softener on upholstery unless the product specifically recommends this use, as residue can build up or mark certain fabrics.
The aim is to refresh your home while keeping fabrics clean and well cared for.
5. Use separate cloths for different areas
One of the most important cleaning habits is preventing germs from spreading between surfaces.
A cloth used in the toilet should never be used to wipe a kitchen counter, bathroom basin or bedroom furniture. Keeping separate cloths for different areas helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
A simple colour-coded system can make this easier to manage:
- Red: Toilet and toilet-surround cleaning.
- Blue: Mirrors and glass.
- Yellow: Kitchen surfaces.
- Green: General household surfaces.
Choose colours that work for your household and make sure everyone knows each one’s use.
Wash reusable cloths regularly according to their care instructions, and allow them to dry completely between uses.
If disinfecting cloths with bleach, follow the product label and dilution instructions rather than guessing the proportions. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaning products.
“It is not about being fussy,” says Bambo. “This is about proper hygiene and ensuring your family and guests aren’t exposed to unnecessary bacteria that could cause illness.”
6. Descale your kettle
If your kettle has developed a chalky white coating, mineral deposits from the water are probably to blame. These deposits can affect the appearance of the kettle and may reduce heating efficiency over time.
Descaling is straightforward. Use a kettle descaler or follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removing mineral build-up. Some kettles can be cleaned using a diluted vinegar solution, provided the manufacturer permits it.
After descaling, rinse thoroughly and follow the recommended cleaning procedure before making your next cup of tea or coffee.
It is also a good habit to empty unused water from the kettle regularly and refill it with fresh water when needed.
“Fresh water every time,” says Bambo, noting the importance of clean, well-maintained kettles in preparing hotel and guest rooms.
7. Refresh a room with colour
Spring-cleaning is also an opportunity to rethink how your home looks and feels. Fortunately, refreshing a room does not necessarily require new furniture, a decorator or a fresh coat of paint.
Colourful accessories can make a noticeable difference. A burnt-orange cushion, cobalt-blue vase or forest-green throw can add personality to a neutral living room without the cost of a complete makeover.
The growing interest in colourful interiors reflects a desire to create spaces that feel individual, welcoming and uplifting. Rather than following every trend, choose colours and accessories that suit your taste and complement what you already own.
“There is nothing wrong with your furniture. Keep it and add a bit of strategic colour,” says Bambo.
“Start with one bold piece and see what it does to the energy of a room. Add as you see fit. Add colour and items that make you happy and reflect your style.”
Bonus tip: Always dust from top to bottom
This is one of the simplest ways to save time when cleaning, yet it is easy to overlook.
Start with the highest surfaces in each room, including cornices, cupboard tops, light fittings and ceiling fans. Work your way down to shelves, furniture and skirting boards before finishing with the floor.
Spring-cleaning does not have to be an overwhelming task.
Dust and debris naturally fall onto lower surfaces, so cleaning the floor first can mean having to do it all over again.
“People clean the floor and then dust the shelves,” says Bambo. “All that dust has to go somewhere, and you will make your life very difficult if you don’t do it in the right order. Always finish with the floor.”
Spring-cleaning does not have to be overwhelming. By working methodically, taking care of household fabrics and using the right cleaning methods, you can create a fresher, more comfortable home without unnecessary spending.
Sometimes, the smallest changes to your routine make the biggest difference.
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