Spring Cleaning is in Full Swing

It must be spring. Although spring may not be here, I have been clearing out and spring cleaning in london like crazy. I love to throw things away and make my kids mad with the demand for more stuff to donate to charity shops.

We had a one-in, one-out policy at Christmas and birthdays when they were young. Otherwise, their bedrooms became war zones. I am obsessed with reducing everything to a minimum.

I’ve been through the kitchen, and we still can’t find our cheese grater! (I am certain I did not put it in the box for Oxfam. It takes some time because I suddenly see one, and then I’ll read for 40 minutes. It was a full dinner service that I brought to the local auction room (fancy crockery is not my thing anymore). And it was surprising, and I received PS280.00! Result. I didn’t expect to get a fiver.

It’s all very satisfying. It can be liberating to get rid of too much stuff. Start now to sort out the cardboard boxes. Moving all your stuff to another place is not a good idea if it doesn’t serve any purpose. My friend moved to the Cotswolds from California two years ago. She still has 37 boxes in her living room. I advised her that if she doesn’t use or miss any of the contents, she should dispose of them.

Plastic storage boxes are a great way to keep on top of clutter. They can be used for toys, old bank statements, and photos. My husband collects vintage car magazines. He won’t allow me to throw them away, so they are now in stackable boxes, waiting for him to come to his senses.

It takes very little time to clean a wall that has been badly damaged or scuffed. This can make the room appear larger. I like to clean all lights, lamps, and wall lights for a clean look. To keep spiders away, it is important to sweep the curtains’ inner edges (the part that faces the windows). I also clean the rubber seals of the fridge and washing machine with a mixture of vinegar and water. Vinegar is my secret weapon. Vinegar is great for cleaning windows or removing fat residue from the oven.