Cleaning for some people can be very satisfying once all the hard work is done, but getting started can seem like a colossal task.
Research by Kärcher, supported by Dr Lisa Ackerley - a professor of Environmental Health at University of Salford, - however, might just change your mind about putting off a thorough clean.
According to the report, over a third of Brits eat food that has been on the kitchen or living room floor, despite the high volume of harmful bacteria living there which could contaminate the food.
Dr Lisa Ackerley says that bacteria can multiply from a single bacterium to several million in just a few hours, and because we cannot see or smell it, it’s deemed a “silent killer”.
Rethinking that 10 second rule now aren’t you?
The research also showed that over 40 per cent of people admitted to using an air freshner to clean, and almost half (49.9 per cent) rely on sweeping dirt with a broom – neither of which actually kill bacteria, despite belief that you are ‘cleaning’ the home.
So we've come up with a few ideas on how to get started on your Spring clean:
Clean up the clutter
The easiest way to make a start is to clean up and get rid of all the clutter around the house.
Old magazines, the kid’s toys, even that mug of cold tea you never got to drink this morning – tidy every room and clear away everything that’s not in it’s place. And if something doesn’t have a home within your home, either find somewhere to put it, or chuck it out!
Tidying up can make surfaces easier to clean and the house already looks like a smaller task than when you first started.
According to design and well-being expert Oliver Heath, who has recently launched several new videos with Homebase, the average family takes 52 minutes to get out the door in the morning – so de-cluttering could shave valuable minutes off morning routines.
To find out more about how Oliver thinks you can improve your home, see here.
Vacuuming
If you think a quick run over with the hoover does the job, think again.
According to the homecare experts at Bissell, even top of the range vacuums can’t reach the deeply embedded dirt within your carpet.
To make sure you get all the dirt properly, you need to hoover, pre-treat stained areas and then deep clean your carpets and rugs.
If you want to get serious with your carpet cleaning, check out Bissell’s new ProHeat 2x Revolution.
Washing
We’re talking about washing EVERYTHING – cushion covers, bed sheets, towels, sofa covers, curtains, blankets and throws.
When was the last time you washed any of them?
Make sure you use the right setting when putting the different items in the washing machines, too.
And whilst you’re washing the bed sheets, take the opportunity to vacuum the mattress as well – dust mites can wreak havoc for people who suffer from allergies.
And when you’ve finished washing all of those, make sure you give the washing machine a good clean too!
Wardrobe
Our friends over at Grazia, have the best tips on how to Spring clean your wardrobe; just click here to find out!
Dusting
Obviously, this is one of the things that the majority of us do on a weekly basis because dust can build up quickly, but make sure you take the time to actually move everything instead of dusting around things like photo frames and any little trinkets you have.
As well as cleaning all the surfaces, make sure you take time to dust all of your lighting fixtures too, this is a thorough clean after all!
Have you got any Spring cleaning tips?
Let us know via Facebook and Twitter (@CloserOnline)!