If you loath spending your weekends doing housework, listen up.
Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have revealed the 10 chores you only need to do once a year.
These nifty life hacks may be infrequent, but they’ll make all the difference to the look and feel of your home.
That’s the kind of cleaning we like the sound of.
1. Wipe down window frames
Use a brush to sweep off dirt around the frame, then use a solution of washing-up liquid or a multi-purpose spray cleaner to remove stubborn grime.
2. Purge your kitchen drawer
If you’re like us, this is the place where unclaimed items get stashed when there’s nowhere else to put them. Tip it all out and reevaluate what you’ve collected, then decide what you don’t need any more. Be ruthless.
3. Wipe your lightbulbs
These get sticky and dusty (especially if they’re in the kitchen and bathroom) and it’s amazing how much light this cuts out. Switch off, unscrew and wipe with a damp cloth, making sure to stay well away from the screw or bayonet end.
4. Wash your curtains
Curtain fabric collects dust over the year. To wash your curtains, pop them in the washing machine or take them to your local dry cleaner.
5. Blitz the fireplace
Got a real fire? Before you set the first fire of the season, call in the professionals to give the chimney a clean. Find one at nacs.org.uk.
6. Deep clean upholstered furniture
Vacuum thoroughly and wash or dry clean loose covers, according to the fabric type. If covers cannot be removed, have them cleaned professionally.
7. Wipe down outdoor furniture
Add a squirt of washing-up liquid to a bowl of warm water, then wipe down tables and chairs with a damp cloth. Finish it all off with a spray of water from the garden hose.
8. Deep clean your carpet
Rent a carpet cleaner, such as a RugDoctor, or call in the professionals – choose one that’s a member of the National Carpet Cleaners Association. But if your carpet is really stained, don’t expect miracles. It may be time to consider rearranging the furniture or adding a strategically placed rug.
9. Empty your gutters
Give gutters a good clean with a stiff brush, then invest in a gutter brush. Water can still flow freely along the gutters, but the brush will stop leaves from getting stuck in your pipes and blocking them.
10. Purge your garage and basement
If you’re like us, these spaces are where unclaimed items get stashed when there’s nowhere else to put them. Taking time each year to reevaluate what you’ve collected and what you don’t need anymore.
