Spring cleaning is not only therapeutic but it also prepares your home for the festive season when extended family may be visiting.
Wilhemina Petersen, head housekeeper at ANEW Hotel Green Point Cape Town, shares some great spring-cleaning tips on how to make your home feel like a top hotel.
Spring clean
Happy plants
The right amount of greenery brings life and vibrancy to any space. Spring is the perfect time to care for your plants.
If you’re struggling to keep your orchids alive, clean their roots and replant them for healthy growth.
Be mindful of plant placement, especially palm trees and delicious monsters. Ensure they’re not too close to walls or curtains, as leaves turning brown could be a sign of overcrowding. Aim for at least 10cm of space between the leaves and surfaces.
Towel and linen TLC
Revive your towels’ fluffiness by adding baking soda and white vinegar to your wash. This combination eliminates odours and restores softness.
From the tiles to the window panes
For granite or marble tiles, avoid harsh chemicals that can dull the shine. Instead, use hot water and buff them to restore their glow.
For sparkling clean windows and walls, mix equal parts water and white vinegar with a few drops of dish soap. This natural solution cuts through grime and is eco-friendly. Use a microfibre cloth for the best results.
Get rid of dusty or mouldy odours
Mix one part fabric softener with two parts water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist your furniture, carpets and curtains to reduce musty smells and leave a fresh scent. This will also minimise the ‘dust cloud’ that often appears after vacuuming.
Clutter cleanse
Decluttering helps simplify your space and clear unnecessary items. Use boxes to divide items into ‘sell’, ‘donate’, ‘toss’ or ‘return to their proper place’.
Out-in-the-open clutter
Keep frequently used items like keys, remotes and sunglasses tidy by placing them in small baskets, decorative trays or bowls to give them a permanent home.
Streamline your tech
Chargers and cords can easily create clutter. Create a charging station in the living room or kitchen using charging docks, mail organisers or magazine racks. You could also repurpose an old wooden box to keep your cables under control.
Under-the-bed storage
Make your bedroom feel hotel-like by using the space under your bed for storage. Use foldable bins or drawers with castors to store bedding or other items, turning the often-wasted area into a practical solution.
Savvy bathroom storage
Instead of adding bulky cabinets to a small bathroom, create a built-in wall section for storage. This will give you a stylish and practical shelf where you can display neatly folded towels and toiletries in baskets.
Broom storage
If you don’t have a dedicated broom cupboard, attach hooks or a bar to the inside of a cupboard door to keep your broom and mop neatly out of sight.
Similarly, use S-hooks to hang pots and pans on walls, tiles or under kitchen shelves if your kitchen lacks storage space.
By following these spring-cleaning tips, you can transform your home into a clean, clutter-free and welcoming space – just like a top hotel!