'I'm a cleaning expert, do these 6 things to make your home cosy for autumn'
Laura Mountford, AKA @lauracleanaholic is a cleaning content creator, podcaster & author.
September brings that back-to-school energy, a fresh start and an opportunity to reset our homes and prepare them for getting cosy and nesting ready for the colder, darker winter months ahead.
As we head into Autumn, it is important to deep clean those areas we would likely have forgotten while we were enjoying the summer.
Having a clean, clutter free home has so many positive benefits that impact on your whole lifestyle and mental health; A tidy, dust free bedroom enables better quality sleep giving you the energy to embrace the day.
A clean kitchen will motivate you to cook healthy and tasty meals. A clutter free living room creates a space to relax in, while a sparkling bathroom is your own spa at home so you can feel refreshed and revived for the day.
Here are six September reset tasks for you to tackle this month:
The dreaded oven clean
My most hated cleaning task, but one that can be made much easier by having the correct tools, is deep cleaning the oven. I absolutely love a gadget to make cleaning quicker and easier and my electric scrubber is perfect for removing grease and grime in the oven with ease. Simply use washing up liquid or sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend inside the oven and on the glass door, scrub off the grease and wipe clean.
If your oven racks are caked in burnt-on food then remove them and soak overnight in the sink (or better still, in the bath!) using bicarbonate of soda then wipe off the residue. My best advice for your oven is that once it is clean, place a re-usable oven liner at the bottom which your future self will thank you for as you just simply remove the liner and clean that rather than having to scrub the bottom of the oven. To finish off, I treated my oven to some new autumn tea towels with pumpkins on!
Washing machine clean
Many of us often neglect to deep clean our washing machines despite using them on a daily basis. If your laundry is smelling slightly damp or musty even after being washed, then it is likely that your washing machine is in need of a spa treatment to ensure that it works effectively.
Firstly, place a towel on the floor at the bottom of the machine and unscrew the filter. You will be surprised what comes out, in the past I have found coins…and dog treats! Wash the filter cap and the drawer in hot soapy water. Fill the drum with 500g of soda crystals and add a cup of white vinegar into the drawer then put your machine on an empty hot wash.
Sofa deep clean
During the autumn months we will be spending more time relaxing on the sofa, so now is the ideal time to deep clean it while the temperature isn’t too cold for it to dry quickly. With two dogs our sofa takes a bit of a battering, so a couple of years ago I invested in the Bissell Pet Pro Spot Clean and it was worth every penny. I use it to deep clean the sofa, carpets, rugs and curtains - so a really versatile machine.
Dusting forgotten areas
The cooler months mean that spider season is here and cobwebs are everywhere! Go on a dust hunt and see how much you can collect. Don’t forget your ceilings, walls, below and behind furniture, skirting boards and light fixtures. Lampshades can be cleaned using a lint roller and I love the dry dusting cloths that you attach to the Flash Speed Mop as they are ideal for dusting walls and ceilings.
Deep cleaning toilets
Give your toilets some love with a steam clean to hygienically deep clean and remove bacteria using just water. A steam cleaner is brilliant for getting into all those hard-to-reach areas and is another of my favourite gadgets to use all around the home as it is so versatile. If you’re struggling with limescale in your toilet, then the Dr Beckmann Power Foaming Toilet Cleaner gives a deep clean as well as being such a satisfying product to use!
Autumn bedding refresh
Having cosy bedding is a must going into the cooler months so now is the ideal time to bring out the higher tog duvets to keep you warm and snug. When you next strip your bedding for washing, deep clean the mattress by vacuuming and removing any stains using warm soapy water. I also dust and steam clean my headboard as this is an often-forgotten area. I treated myself to some new cosy autumn bedding with pumpkins on and it is so soft and snuggly.
Cleaning and decluttering don’t have to be boring; I find it really therapeutic, helping me to de-stress and unwind, giving a sense of achievement. Prioritising your home is at the heart of building healthy habits and creating a clean, tidy sanctuary to come home to, recharge and feel calm in.
Laura Mountford is the author of Live, Laugh, Laundry: A calming guide to keeping your clothes clean – and you happy (£13.25). She also recently launched The Homebirds Podcast
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