HOW TO GET YOUR HOME READY FOR SPRING

Whether you’re a winter worshipper or a summer sungazer, spring is the time to throw your doors and windows open and let the sunshine in! After all those months of being huddled up in a closed-up space, it’s not just your mood that needs lifting – your home needs a breath of fresh air too. Take our tips to make affordable changes that welcome spring – and friends and family – into your home.

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Clean your windows
Before you get into the fun part of prepping for spring (rearranging furniture and adding touches of colour) you need to get your space refreshed.

Project number one – give your windows a good wash to banish the grime and let the spring light in. Do it the eco-friendly way by mixing one tablespoon of white vinegar, two tablespoons of lemon juice and one cup of hot (not boiling) water. Pour into a spray bottle, shake and away you go! Once done, clean newspaper is great for drying windows.

Get rid of mould and mildew
Heavy infestations of black mould can be tackled with a spray made of one part bleach and three parts water. Apply to the mouldy area and let sit for 10 minutes or so, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

Related article: 8 ways to clean your home with lemon

For lighter mould infestations, use one part white vinegar to two parts baking soda. You can also apply undiluted lemon juice, freshly squeezed or bought in a bottle, using a spray bottle or soaking with a sponge, depending on the surface.

Important: Never mix vinegar and bleach, as this produces chlorine gas which is highly poisonous and can be fatal!



Swap out dark and dingy for bright and breezy colours
If you’ve been using dark throws on furniture, stash them away and haul out bright whites or creams and fresh pastels (blues, pinks, greens and yellows are trending). Add a pop of energetic bright red, magenta or orange in accessories like scatter cushions.

Make your bedroom a bright, light sanctuary with bed linen in fresh hues too. If you have dark curtains on windows, consider replacing them with lighter-coloured curtains or blinds.

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Boost your mood with scents
Scents have powerful mood-boosting properties and can make the difference between a house and a home. If you don’t have a garden in which to grow jasmine, roses, lavender and frangipani, you can achieve almost the same result with diffusers and oil burners. Uplifting oils for burners include lemon, orange, jasmine, bergamot, lavender, ylang-ylang and frankincense.

Reboot your kitchen
You might be horrified by what you find when you look in the cupboard under your sink. Take a deep breath, clear everything out, clean the shelves and replace only what you still need! Likewise, defrost your fridge and/or freezer and get rid of anything you won’t be using. The bonus here is that fridges and freezers work more efficiently if they aren’t over crowded.

Rearrange your furniture
This is the really fun part. Even if your space is small, chances are you can do a bit of reshuffling to give your space a lighter, more airy feel. If possible, arrange seating to face windows, and if you have thick rugs and carpets give them a good clean and then, if space allows, store them away until next winter to prolong their lives and make your home cooler and easier to clean.

Related article: 6 tips on cleaning out your closet: What to ditch and what to keep