Let the Light In First

Before you tackle a single cupboard, start with the things that change how a whole room feels: windows, curtains and light fittings. Clean glass lets in more daylight, and suddenly the rest of the house looks brighter before you have even picked up a cloth.

Begin with the light fittings, working with the power off and the bulbs cool. Take down glass shades and wash them in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid, then dry them properly before refitting so no moisture sits against the fitting. Lampshades respond well to a soft brush or the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, used gently so you do not distort the shape.

Next, curtains. Give them a good shake or a short tumble on a cool setting to lift dust, then check the care label before washing. Many are fine at 30 degrees on a delicate cycle, but lined and thermal curtains often prefer a freshen-up with a handheld steamer instead. While they are down, vacuum the curtain track or wipe the pole, and clean the window recess you can now reach.

For the windows themselves, work top to bottom. Dust the frames and sills first, then wash the glass with warm water and a little washing-up liquid, finishing with a squeegee in overlapping strokes. Buff the edges with a dry microfibre cloth. Do one room at a time and you will be surprised how quickly it goes.

Get Your Kit and Your Order Right

Spring cleaning goes wrong when you spend more time fetching things than actually cleaning. Assemble a small kit and carry it with you.

• Microfibre cloths in a few colours, so kitchen and bathroom cloths never mix
• A bucket of warm water with a splash of washing-up liquid for general wiping
• White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda for limescale, sinks and drains
• An old toothbrush and cotton buds for grout, taps and awkward corners
• A vacuum with a crevice tool and brush attachment for radiators and skirting boards
• A bin bag and a donation box for anything you decide to let go of

The order matters as much as the kit. Always work top to bottom so dust falls onto floors you have not yet cleaned, and dry before wet so you are not smearing mud around. Move clockwise around each room so nothing gets missed, and finish by cleaning the floor last.

Work Room by Room, Top to Bottom

Once you are in a room, the same sequence applies everywhere. Dust from the ceiling down: corners, picture rails, mirrors, shelves and windowsills. Then work down the walls to the details people forget.

Skirting boards collect a surprising amount of dust. Vacuum them with the brush attachment first, then wipe with a cloth wrung out in warm soapy water. Dry as you go, particularly on painted wood, so water does not sit in the grain.

Radiators are the hidden dust traps of most homes. Use a radiator brush or a long-handled duster down the back, then vacuum along the fins. If you have a removable grille, take it off and wash it. Wiping the outside with a damp cloth finishes the job.

Behind furniture is where the real difference shows. Pull out sofas, beds and bedside tables where you safely can, vacuum underneath, and wipe the skirting and floor behind them before pushing everything back. This is also the moment to check for missing socks, charger cables and toys that have been quietly gathering dust for months. Finish with the door handles, light switches and any brass or chrome fittings, which show every fingerprint.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

These two rooms carry the most grime, so give them a dedicated session rather than tacking them onto a general tidy.

In the kitchen, empty one cupboard at a time, wipe the shelves and put things back only if they earn their place. Clean the fronts of appliances, then the oven, hob and extractor filter. Pull the fridge out if you can and vacuum the back, and wipe the door seals with warm soapy water. A hot cycle with soda crystals will freshen the washing machine, and the dishwasher filter benefits from a rinse under the tap.

In the bathroom, limescale is the enemy. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, tie it around the shower head and leave it overnight, then rinse. Use bicarbonate of soda on the sink and bath for a gentle scour, and an old toothbrush along the grout lines. Do not forget the extractor fan cover, the top of the mirror cabinet and the back of the door.

Bedrooms and Soft Furnishings

Strip the bed and treat the mattress while it is bare. Vacuum both sides, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the surface, leave it for fifteen minutes, then vacuum again. Rotate or flip the mattress before remaking the bed with freshly washed linen. Duvets, pillows and blankets all benefit from a wash according to their labels, and a warm day with the windows open will dry them beautifully.

Cushions, throws and soft toys can be aired outside for a few hours, which freshens them without any effort at all. Empty the wardrobe, wipe the shelves and rail, and put back only what you have worn in the past year. Under the bed, vacuum properly and store only what you genuinely need.

Make It Stick

A full spring clean is a big job, so spread it over a couple of weeks rather than trying to do everything in one weekend. One room a day is plenty, and small tasks such as dusting a lampshade or wiping a radiator can slot into the odd fifteen minutes.

Afterwards, a simple twenty-minute reset each evening keeps the house feeling fresh: put things away, wipe the kitchen surfaces, fluff the cushions. Keep a basket for items that belong in other rooms and empty it once a day. When next spring arrives, you will be maintaining a home that is already in good order rather than starting from scratch.