Your end of year clean out - from A-Z

We can hardly believe that another year has come and gone. Even though most of us were under lockdown for the better part of the year, it's only natural that we’ve accumulated a few bits and bobs that we need to toss out or donate - and end of year is the perfect time to do this! However, why not have some fun while doing it? Get the kids involved and follow our easy guide below to ensure that your new year starts off on a clean slate (and a clean home!)

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A - Aprons - whether they’re there for a simple-to-cook meal or an extravagant party, the apron is a trusty kitchen (and home cleaning) friend, but how often have you washed yours? Toss it in the wash with your next load and be sure to iron it for that ‘new’ feeling!

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B - Blinds - the places that dust likes to gather! An easy DIY way to clean them is to wrap your fingers in an old t-shirt, dip in water with detergent and run your fingers along each blind to effortlessly lift off dust!

C - Crayons - left the kids alone and came back to wall art? Simply cover the stains in toothpaste and wipe! (Or, if you get there fast enough, a spray bottle with some detergent and a damp cloth will do the trick!)

D - Declutter - take a walk around your home with a basket and throw in everything that is not in its correct place. Those dusty ornaments on the shelf? Toss them in a bag (along with anything that makes you sigh when you see them) and donate! This is also a great time to pack away anything you are not using right now (like thick winter clothing and boots or even furniture pieces that are taking up space).

E - Eyeglasses - it’ll only take a few minutes of your time but will give you a clear perspective for the rest of your cleaning (see what we did there?) Quickly dip sunglasses on a bowl with some dishwashing liquid and wipe with a glass cloth. Spray your prescription glasses and wipe clean!

F - Fridge - probably one of the more time-consuming but rewarding tasks. Empty out that fridge, toss out or compost expired food and give the shelves and drawers a good clean with warm, soapy water!

G - Gardening tools - grab a bucket, warm, soapy water and a small brush and clean those spades, rakes and watering cans! Brush off soil and mud and be sure to dry them for a sparkly finish!

H - Hangers - an easy way to make your closet look kept is to ensure that all hangers are hung in the same direction. It also helps if you have the same hangers and not a mismatch. Velvet or fabric hangers are great for dresses as they keep them from falling and look very minimalist when all together!

I - Iron marks - if your iron has scorch marks that are not too bad, then heat up the iron, switch it off and wipe gently (but quickie) with a thick, damp cloth. Still not working? Get some iron cleaning tablets at your grocery store to help.

J - Jewelry - silver, to be exact. Invest in a silver polishing cloth from your local jewelry store and polish those rings, earrings, and necklaces. They will make a world of difference to your outfits! While you’re there, why not declutter and donate those costume jewelry pieces that you no longer wear?

K - Kettle - probably the one appliance that we use the most, the kettle is often the last to be cleaned. Wipe the outside well and fill the inside with 1 cup vinegar and 2 cup water. Boil and stand overnight before rinsing clean.

L - Lampshades - gently wipe off the dust with a damp, cotton cloth and rinse before each lampshade. You’ll be amazed at the difference!

M - Microwave - gunk and food stuck on the inside? Fill a bowl, add a half a lemon and microwave for 1 minute. When the microwave gets steamy and damp, use a cloth to wipe the insides. Be sure to clean the outside to get rid of pesky fingerprints!

N - Napkins - toss your napkins, dish towels and tablecloths into the washing machine for a good wash. Dry in the sun, iron and pack away and bring some order to your linen cupboard!

O - Oven - the one thing we all hate cleaning! Mix vinegar, baking soda and some detergent to make a paste. Leave it on any marks or stains and wipe away in the morning! Better yet, get a can of oven spray and give it a super deep clean!

P - Pillows - How often do you wash those pillows? Remove covers from your couch and bed pillows and toss them in the wash, allow to dry in the sun, press or hit back into shape and sleep easy on a clean pillow! Try to do this at least 3-4 times a year for best results.

Q - Qwerty cleanout - unplug that keyboard, turn it upside down and let the crumbs fall! Then take a thin brush and run it between the keys to pick up dust. Better yet, grab some slime and run it over the keys to help pick up more grime!

R - Rent-A-Store! Remember all those things you spotted when decluttering? If there is anything you can't see to get rid of but just don't have space for, then hire a storage unit and safely store them!

S - Shower heads - by now we’ve all seen the social media videos about cleaning shower heads. Simply fill up a zip-seal bag with ½ cup vinegar and 2 tsp baking soda and secure over the head with an elastic band. Release it in the morning to see all the grime!

T - Tupperware - the dreaded Tupperware container! Set aside an hour, unpack all of the Tupperware’s and match them with their lids before storing again. Donate or chuck out anything that is burnt, without a lid or broken.

U - Utensils - we’re all guilty of taking out our frustrations on our utensil draws. Unpack all of your cutlery, chuck out those straws, chopsticks, takeout cutlery and sauce packets (no, you won’t need them) and give the drawer a good clean with a damp cloth before repacking. Be sure to wash those forks, knives, and spoons before packing them back!

V - Vases - remove your flowers from the vases and give them all a good wash. Dirty vases not only cause your flowers to die faster but also look untidy and can even get mouldy! Before packing them away, be sure that they are dry and free of dirt or flower stains.

W - Windows - not the best task but like the fridge, super rewarding, grab a window wiper, some window spray and get cleaning! Wipe all window sills with a damp cloth to pick up dirt, grime and sand from outside.

X –Xtra fresh – now that you’re near the end, chances are that your home already looks and feels cleaner! Add some extra freshness by getting into the habit of lighting a fresh scented candle for an hour a day to make your home feel even more zen.

Y - Yoga mat - (and all other exercise equipment for that matter!). Wash those trainers, sanitize your mat, and wipe home equipment with hot water and detergent.

Z - Zzzzz… you’ve earned it! - Take a nap and enjoy your clean and decluttered home! Be sure to visit our website for more useful cleaning and packing tips!

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