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You may be no slouch in the housework department, with a weekly roster that is actually followed. Or perhaps you get a bit of cleaning help round the house from the professionals (or the kids). But in every home there are hidden corners that quietly gather dust, dirt and worse. Give these out-of-sight or hard-to-reach areas, nooks and crannies an annual clean and start the spring season with a home that’s fresh from top to toe.
Washing windows is an oft-avoided chore, but there are worse glass surfaces in the home. In your bathroom, the shower screen can easily get out of control, with mineral deposits forming an almost impenetrable film. An abrasive cleaning product, such as Simple Green shower glass restorer, can bring it back to new, says Jason Walsh of Simple Green.
“This product is used to remove soap and water mark stains on shower screen glass, which is a big issue for a lot of households,” he says. “But when used with a dry cloth it can also clean baked-on oven grease and fat from glass oven doors.” It’s suitable for cleaning woodburner heater glass doors, too.
High humidity and rain mean mould may be hiding in your property where you’d least expect it. As well as in typically wet rooms such as bathrooms and laundry areas, mould might be blooming behind mirrors or furniture, under mattresses or in cupboards – anywhere in your home where there’s minimal air flow.
If you discover mould, never try to dry brush it, as this releases spores into the air and can make the problem worse. Instead, try using white vinegar and a microfibre cloth. Or if vinegar won’t cut it, try a mould-killing cleaner, ensuring you follow the product’s directions carefully and air out the room thoroughly.
If you’ve never looked at the top of your home’s ceiling fan blades, you’re in for a shock – they’re likely sporting a fur coat of dust. If they’re particularly fluffy, try this neat cleaning tip to avoid a shower of dust: spray the inside of a retired pillowcase with a mild cleaning solution, pop the case over a fan blade and gently wipe it clean, keeping the dust and dirt inside.
Once you’ve carried out the pillowcase trick, maintain your fan’s dust-free status with an electrostatic duster. Michael Palm at cleaning product supplier Oates says this avoids spreading dust around the home and into other areas. “Its electrostatic properties attract and trap dirt for a thorough clean,” he explains.
Dust and fly spots multiply on walls and ceilings and make even the tidiest home look dirty. Microfibre cloths are fantastic for cleaning walls with just water – whenever you’ve got a spare 10 minutes for cleaning, dampen a microfibre cloth and spot-clean marks, concentrating on door frames and corners where fingerprints gather. And to spring clean a whole wall or ceiling in no time at all, here’s an invaluable cleaning hack: use a microfibre flat mop!
You spend a third of your life on your mattress, so you want it to be free of nasties like dirt, dust mites and dead skin. Give your mattress the cleaning TLC it deserves by stripping the bed and vacuuming thoroughly. Sprinkle over a layer of bicarbonate of soda, which absorbs moisture and odours, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum again. If there are stains that need attention, tread lightly – using a clean cloth, blot with a gentle detergent and cold water, then allow the mattress to dry completely.
Tip: Most pillows can be cleaned in the washing machine. Spin twice, air- or tumble-dry, and shake to fluff.
The kitchen might look pristine, but the tops of the cupboards, appliances and cabinets can tell a different tale. If there’s a gap between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, it doesn’t take long for this space to develop a coating of dust and cooking grease.
For a job like this, you need a serious product to shift the dirt and grime, like Simple Green all-purpose cleaner concentrate. “This product can be custom diluted using water for anything from heavy duty to light cleaning around the home,” says Jason. Use a little more of the concentrate for kitchen grease and dust and for any other seriously grimy spots, and dilute it further for ordinary, everyday cleaning tasks elsewhere in your house.
Tip: Dishwashers need cleaning, too!* Put a glass measuring cup with two cups of distilled white vinegar on the top rack and run a normal cycle without detergent or dishes.
With all the time we spend at our desks, tapping away at the keyboard, it’s no wonder the workstation is one of the germiest places in the home. Give your desktop devices a deep clean regularly to help prevent a build-up of germs. Power down your computer or laptop and gently shake crumbs and dust off the keyboard – a can of compressed air can help clear in between the keys. Isopropyl alcohol is safe to use on electronic devices, as it has a high evaporation rate – spray on lightly, then wipe clean for a sanitised surface.
If you have pets at home, you’ve likely got hair. While you might regularly brush fluff and pet dander off the sofa, there could be a build-up of fur elsewhere too – where the dog rubs against the back of an armchair, your cat’s secret sunbathing windowseat, or in the crevices of the car upholstery.
Michael Palm suggests the Oates electrostatic pet hair brush to take care of the problem with one swipe. “The electrostatic properties in the rubber bristles collect and gather pet hair from all your surfaces including upholstery, car interiors and clothing,” he says. “And the reusable brush has a unique shaped head so it can fit into tight spots with ease.”
*First check your dishwasher manufacturer’s appliance manual for cleaning advice.
Follow product packaging instructions for accurate dilution of strong cleaning solutions. Wear a mask and gloves for serious cleaning tasks. Store products out of reach of children and pets.
Maintain your sparkling home with our recommended cleaning routine.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Photo Credit: Sue Stubbs, Cath Muscat
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
