How to clean your home this autumn: Lynsey Crombie's top tips for an autumn blitz
LYNSEY CROMBIE ‘Queen of Clean' will be blitzing her home this autumn to keep germs and dirt at bay. As the weather turns wet and windy, how can you master the art of the new spring clean?
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While many of us spring clean as the weather warms up, many of us overlook the importance of an autumn blitz. As the temperature drops and the rain makes a daily appearance, dirt makes its way into our homes more easily with outerwear and shoes leaving debris and germs on floors and furniture. Lynsey Crombie has shared her exclusive top tips with Express.co.uk to help you clear up your property.
Cleaning jobs for the colder months
As leaves gather in the garden and muddy shoes traipse through the house, it’s time to clear out your home and garden to prepare for the freezing temperatures and unpleasant weather.
With more time being spent indoors and many of turning the heating on this October, dust and dirt can gather easily with bacteria able to thrive in the warmth of your home.
Lynsey told Express.co.uk that she’ll be tackling everything from clearing out to stocking up to prepare for the winter.
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Get rid of dust
Visible layers of dust are easy to spot and take just a moment to clean up.
While dusting is best done with a damp cloth or moist wipes, there are a few hard to reach spots which many of us ignore during the winter.
Keeping your home dust-free will help you feel healthier and breath-easier this cold and flu season.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Lynsey said: “Dust your light bulbs using a recycled makeup or paintbrush this will ensure they give off light, dust settles on top and makes them less productive.
“Clean behind radiators, dust builds up behind these and can clog so blast with your hairdryer, steamer or clean with a radiator brush.”
Fill your cabinets
While you don’t need to go and panic-buy medicine for the common cold or flu, it is worth stocking up on a few cold-weather essentials.
Preparing for an influx of germs and throat-tickling colds is easily done by adding a few painkillers, cough remedies and throat sweets to your medicine cabinet.
Stock checking will keep you topped and ready for any unexpected illness your household may run into as the temperature drops.
Stock up on throws, blankets and draught excluders to keep you warm without dialling up the thermostat.
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Clean up
Garden furniture can be wiped down and covered to remove cobwebs, mud and dirt from your wicker seating or glass tables.
Wipe them down with antibacterial spray or warm soapy water and a clean cloth.
Pat dry and cover or store away to keep it from rain or wind damage from late autumn through to the Spring.
Doormats should be washed or switched to keep them clear of dirt and grime.
Lynsey told Express.co.uk: “Change doormats to harder wearing ones to stop mud and debris coming in.”
Clean carpets to lift away deep-rooted stains and debris using a white vinegar and water solution, a vacuum and a clean scrubbing brush - or hire a carpet cleaning professional.
Tackle pests with herbal remedies
Essential oils and herbal remedies are a natural way to keep pests at bay.
With moths and spider rife during the autumn and winter, banishing them using these homemade solutions are an affordable and kind way to keep your home free from pests.
Clearing cobwebs and blocking up entrances will prevent pests from finding their way into your wardrobes and corners.
The ‘Queen of Clean’ said: “Clear cobwebs and make up a spider spray to keep spiders at bay – make the spray using water and tea tree or peppermint oil and spray around entrances but be careful around pets.
“Put lavender bags together to keep moths out of your wardrobe and drawers.”
Lynsey’s top tips for an autumn blitz:
- Change doormats to harder wearing ones to stop mud and debris from coming in
- Clean up your garden furniture and store away or cover
- Wash your carpets - hire a professional or invest in a carpet cleaner
- Test and clean smoke alarms
- Clean and cover garden furniture
- Tackle moths with lavender bags
- Banish spiders and cobwebs with peppermint oil spray
- Stock up your medicine cabinets
- Dust radiators by blasting with air
- Use paintbrushes to remove dust from light bulbs