Diwali is just two weeks away and usually it is the time when friends & family come over to take part in the festivities! Many of us buy new furniture, clean and redecorate our home interiors during this time. While the festivities this year are expected to be low key, it does not mean that you cannot spruce up your home. It is considered auspicious to clean the house as it signifies getting rid of the negativity and making way for the new positive times to come. So, if you haven’t already started cleaning your house, it is time to get started!
CREATE A SCHEDULE
Start by mentally picturing things you want to change or do away with around the house. Then make a list of these, going through each section of the house. Based on the work involved, allocate the time required for cleaning that particular section. Then see how many rooms you can fit-in in a day with your other schedule. Finish one room and only then move to the next. Don’t try to finish all your cleaning in one day. You will end up getting exhausted and may abandon the project altogether.
CHECK YOUR STOCK OF CLEANING EQUIPMENT
If you do not use a vacuum cleaner regularly, it is time to pull out yours and check if it is working fine and has enough garbage bags. You dont want to run into problems in the midst of cleaning.
Similarly stock up on floor cleaners, bathroom cleaners, specific brushes, wipes masks and gloves. Oh, don’t forget to check if you have vinegar and baking soda (Yes! You can use these for cleaning too!!)
If you don’t have a ladder, it is time to invest in one. Many of the ecommerce sites have fabulous sales going on where you can get great deals. Or just borrow one from a neighbour.
GET STARTED!
While we all love a neat home, most of us don’t like the cleaning part. But if you want to be ready for Diwali, it is time to get started. NOW.
Before you begin, cover surfaces that you don’t want the dirt to fall. Even the cleanest of homes will have little corners where dust and cobwebs accumulate and you don’t want them on your furniture as you clean.
Start at the top – get a ceiling broom and dust away the cobwebs. You could use a vacuum to suck out the dust from light fixtures or use a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to brush down the walls as well.
One pro-tip that many swear by is using old pillow cases to clean the blades of the fan. Just cover the blade of the fan with a pillow case and wipe as you pull it out. This will give you a clean blade from all sides while also ensuring that the dust doesn’t fall down.
For cleaning glass surfaces, use equal parts of vinegar with water and fill up a spray bottle. Just spray and wipe to get your glass sparkling. Don’t use these on TV Screens, Phone or Laptops. Invest in special solutions for cleaning them to ensure that you don’t damage when cleaning.
You could add some lemon juice to the same spray bottle solution to get rid of hard water stains on taps, kitchen countertops and tiles. Or use a mixture of baking soda and regular dish soap to scrub away dirt easily with minimal pressure.
To clean fabric surfaces like beds, sofas etc., spray on some vinegar and sprinkle a little baking soda. Wait a few minutes and vacuum for a clean surface. Always remember to do a little patch test on a place that is not visible to the eye and then adjust the consistency of the mix.
For cleaning electrical appliances, use only dry cloth so that you don’t damage them. It would be a good idea to use microfiber wipes for them.
Wash and change your set of curtains and cushion covers. These are frequently neglected and not changed as often as bedsheets and pillow cases.
CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS
While all this may seem easy, some of us genuienly hate cleaning. Or we simply may not have time with the Work From Home scenario. Don’t worry – call professional cleaning service, who can get your home sparking in no time. Many offer discounts during this season. Ensure they wear a mask, gloves and use sanitizer liberally and be safe.
DECLUTTER & GIVE AWAY
As you go about cleaning and putting things in their place, you will find may things that you do not use. Keep aside two big cartons – one for items in good condition that can be of use to someone and another for broken or expired items that has to be thrown.
If you haven’t used any item in the last one year, it is likely that you will not need it anymore. Discard them instead of hoarding. Pay attention to old papers, cosmetics and medicines as these tend to pile up. Your wardrobe will also have clothes that you can’t fit into any more or don’t want to wear any more.
Many times, we have duplicates of items that we may have received as gifts – if you are not using it, give it away. Your waste may be someone else’s wealth and could light up their Diwali!
Have you started your Diwali cleaning yet? What are your pro-tips? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy Cleaning & A Happy Sparking Diwali!