Coles Magazine - October 2013

home
before you start...
Walk around the house with a critical eye. Don’t
avoid the inevitable! Make a list of all that needs
doing. Prioritise the order in which they need to be
done then spread them out over a few days so you
don’t feel overwhelmed. While compiling your list,
have a rubbish bag handy to toss out anything you
no longer need. Your house will look better already!
spring!
Ready, set,
Spring is the season of new beginnings, so Hazel Bradley
shares tips on how to give your home a fresh lease of life.
Photos Getty Images & Corbis
CLEAR VIEW
Make windows sparkle
by cleaning them on a dull
day − bright sun dries them
too quickly, leaving streaks.
Clean small areas at a time, from
top to bottom, so you can dry
the glass before it dries itself.
Remove flyscreens and wipe
over the mesh with a damp cloth
or wipes. Spray the glass with
window cleaner, then wipe
away the dirt and grime with a
squeegee. Quickly dry off using
a paper towel or clean tea towel.
Window frames can be cleaned
with a cloth, warm water
and a mild cleaner.
1
Pantry clear out
Sweep out crumbs, dust and other
bits and pieces from your pantry and
wipe down the shelves and walls. Throw out
anything that has expired or that you’re
unlikely to use – and be ruthless! Wipe all
bottles, tins, jars and storage containers with
a damp cloth and dry them before returning
them to the pantry. Group similar items
together, placing items used regularly in front
and keeping big, bulky items on the bottom
shelves. Finally, help keep pantry moths away
by placing a few dried bay leaves on each shelf.
They’ll also add a fresh, earthy scent.
2
Bust the dust
Wipe furniture with a microfibre cloth
to attract and trap dust. Dampen the
cloth and use to remove any fingermarks or
grease marks. Dust walls and cornices using
a long handled duster. Most painted walls can
be washed using warm water and a splash of
dishwashing liquid − test a small patch first.
Rinse with clean warm water. And here’s
a clever trick: permanent marker stains can
often be removed from painted walls using
a dab of white, non-abrasive toothpaste on an
old toothbrush. Always test a small area first.
3
Floor show
Make sure the floor is free of all dirt
before mopping. Sweep tiled surfaces
and wooden floors with a soft bristle broom.
Mop floors with a cleanser such as Earth Choice
Floor & Surface Cleaner. Water and wood are
old enemies, so use water sparingly on wooden
floors and dry them quickly with an old
towel. Tackle stains on carpets and rugs with
a cleaning solution, such as Vanish Preen
Powerfoam High Traffic Carpet Cleaner. Apply
solution then work from the outer edge of the
stain towards the centre using a clean damp
cloth. Leave for five minutes before vacuuming.
4
Fridge fresh
If you’ve not cleaned out the fridge
in a while, chances are something
nasty is lurking in there, harbouring harmful
bacteria and tainting the flavour of fresh
food. Turn the fridge off at the wall and
put all perishables into an esky with a couple
of ice packs. Remove crisper drawer, wash
it in warm soapy water and let it dry.
Meanwhile, wash shelves with soapy water
and wipe the interior with a damp cloth and
mild detergent, top to bottom, then dry with
a clean tea towel. As you replace the food,
wipe away any spills with a damp cloth and
check use-by dates. Remember that old
toothbrush you used to remove marker
stains from your walls? Use it to scrub the
seals on your fridge. Now the fridge is clean,
keep it smelling fresh by placing a small dish
of bicarb soda or a vanilla bean inside.
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