Colin and Justin: A clean sweep

Article content

Colin and Justin’s guide to seasonal cleaning will put a spring in your step

As spring looms, we’ll be rolling out all manner of decorating counsel, but, ahead of that, here’s a tip sheet of cleaning inspiration, composed to help ready your home for the seasonal changes that lie in store.

Recommended Videos

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Colin and Justin: A clean sweep Back to video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

First up: plan your cleaning timetable, mindful of what can be achieved in your available window. A deep clean can take days, so pace yourself and don’t overstretch: a seasonal refresh should be rewarding, and not a chore. Sharing work means time saved – so get your partner or kids to give you a hand. Erm, whose mess is it anyway?

Go from room to room, listing everything that needs done. Start at the top and work down, noting dusty areas, dirty paintwork and floors in need of a polish. Task appraisal allows you to mentally ‘contain’ work, which makes the prospect of getting stuck in feel more achievable.

For further spring cleaning and ‘escapist home’ design advice, we’ll be appearing at The National Home Show at 12 noon on March 9th. We look forward to meeting you: join our audience for a chance to win a two night dinner bed and breakfast stay at North Star, our ocean front Cape Breton hotel. Find ticket info at torontohomeshows.com

Our top tips for a tip top tidy

· When cleaning appliances, work from top down, moving inside to outside, to avoid sullying what you just cleaned.

· Freshen teapots and stained mugs with Bicarbonate of Soda paste.

· For windows, try our wee Scottish grannies tip: newspaper moistened with vinegar. Okay, your digs will smell like a fish ‘n’ chip shop for a hot minute, but it really works.

· Drag a damp cloth where carpets meet baseboards to retrieve grit and grime that even the most determined vacuum can miss.

· Drop a dishwasher tablet down your loo and leave to fizz overnight. Flush with a kettle of hot water to remove residue.

· Clean your microwave with a 50/50 solution of water and lemon juice.

· Steam clean or vacuum your bed, leaving windows open to air space. Flip your mattress (top to bottom and side to side) before redressing.

· Go natural with Lavender Mist linen spray – handmade in Ontario by the team at www.ellenoire.com (and deliverable cross Canada) this gentle antimicrobial spray will freshen linens and may help you sleep more soundly.

· Alternate scented candles to freshen air: ‘rotation’ ensures your nose doesn’t become immune to ‘static’ aroma.

· Remove and polish light bulbs to banish dust and brighten glow.

· Clear your closet. Vacuum pack winter clothes until next year. And be ruthless,  do a charity store run with anything you’re unlikely to wear again.

· Multi task. While bed linen is washing, for example, clean the bathroom.

· Ensure your vacuum is clean to avoid that dirty appliance smell. And, while you’re at it, pop a drop of lavender oil into the drum to freshen proceedings.

· Steam clean carpets (Canadian Tire rent appliances) paying special attention to corners, under furnishings and open traffic areas.

· Wield a duster across doors and trim, and finish with a damp cloth to remove stubborn dust particles.

· Empty drawers, wipe down, and edit contents. Use organizers for socks and undies, and slot in partitions for other items.

· Invest in rubber gloves to protect hands, and to encourage a vigorous clean.

· Kitchen rummage drawer? No shame: we’ve all got one. Say adios to out of date coupons, duplicate bills and that stack of menus from take away spots you never call.

· Stick down peeling paper, paint out ceiling stains and realign drawers and wonky kitchen doors.

· Purge shelves and credenzas to make better use of space.

As the weather eases, remain on top of cleaning and associated tasks, so when it’s time for an end of season clean up (as fall and winter beckon) you’ll already be halfway there. Now doesn’t that sound like a recipe for well-maintained home?

Colin and Justin are appearing at The National Home Show at 12 noon, on March 9th. Ticket details at www.torontohomeshows.com

Watch for Colin and Justin on City-tv’s Breakfast Television and Colin and Justin’s Sub-Zero Reno on Paramount TV. Find the Colin and Justin Home Collection in stores across Canada.
Visit www.colinandjustin.tv.