Top tips for a successful spring clean

Step 1: Declutter

Are you a self-confessed hoarder? Take it from us; your home will be much easier to clean with less junk. Tackle the task room by room – throw away out of date food from the kitchen cupboards, sort out any piles of paperwork and load up bags with clothes and accessories for the charity shop.

Step 2: Get organised

With your home de-cluttered, think of how your belongings can be better organised to make your life that little bit easier. For example:

• Kitchen: Store spices in a rack mounted on the cupboard door; hang up pots and pans to free up cupboard space; repurpose magazine holders to store cling-film and foil; use the side of cupboards for hanging utensils.
• Bathrooms: Roll up towels and flannels and store in a wicker basket; use a cake stand to display toiletries; fix organisers to the inside of the cabinet for cosmetics.
• Bedrooms: Hide jewellery by hanging behind a full-length mirror; use magazine racks to store handbags; use a drawer organiser to store rolled-up belts; organise wardrobe clothes by seasons/colours.

Step 3: Get scrubbing

Onto the next step: cleaning! Rather than forking out loads of money on shop-bought cleaning products, try out these handy hacks:

• For grubby sinks, showers and bathtubs: The combination of fresh grapefruit juice and salt works a treat. Squeeze on the juice, sprinkle salt, wait a few minutes and remove with a sponge soaked in hot water. It's a simple as that.
• For dirty blinds: In a bowl, mix equal parts vinegar and hot water, dip an old sock into the solution and wipe down slat by slat.
• For black mould: Fill a large bowl with lukewarm water and washing up liquid and apply to the mould using an old cloth or rag. Mould can be harmful, so wear gloves, protect your skin and refrain from brushing the mould, as it can release nasty spores. Instead, wipe using a dry cloth.
• For rust: Rust can be removed from metal using lots of different household items, but baking soda is by far one of the best. The trick is mixing a paste using a little water, applying onto the metal using a toothbrush, then rinsing with water after half an hour or so. Voila!

Step 4: Refresh

With the hard graft done, get those creative juices flowing and think how you can breathe new life into dreary-looking spaces. This needn't take long or cost you loads of money – for instance, you can:

• Revamp a room with a bold statement wall.
• Switch up soft furnishings (throws, cushions, curtains) in your living room, opting for fresh, springtime colours and tones.
• Carpet looking a bit worse for wear? Cover with a colourful rug.
• Spruce up your bedroom by treating yourself to a new bedding set, throw and scatter cushions.

If you do buy new furniture, throws, rugs or carpets, make sure you check you've got the right level of home insurance cover.