New season, new hope - let's get Spring cleaning!

The Easter weekend and school break is traditionally a time when DIY-ers and spring cleaners emerge from winter to tackle all those jobs around the home.

But as the route out of lockdown brings renewed hope for many of us, there is even more to look forward to when we talk about new beginnings.

This may include plans to move house, dreaming of a home or garden makeover, or just a renewed enthusiasm to get your house in order – in the meantime, however, there is nothing more satisfying than a spring clean – whether you have five minutes or a whole weekend. Here are a few tips if you are making a start:

• Take one room at a time – this way you won’t get overwhelmed by the task; and be ruthless with your decluttering. Ask yourself, does the item make me happy, does it serve a purpose, when was the last time I used it?
• In the kitchen – start with the cupboards and then move on to cutlery drawer (tip: soak tea-stained teaspoons in a mug of water with a few drops of vinegar) and then finish with the microwave, kettle and toaster.
• When it comes to the bedroom, the wardrobe is usually the biggest issue. Take everything out and discard anything you haven’t worn on the past year or if doesn’t fit. Sell good condition clothes and bag up others for the charity shops.
• If you are still working from home, think about how you can improve your working area. Re-assess your space and how you can maintain a clutter-free environment. Go through paperwork, refiling or shredding as you go along. A minimal look will help clear your mind for each working day. Have a digital de-clutter too.
• In the kids’ bedrooms, encourage them to go through their belonging and donate any unwanted items to charity (as and when non-essential shops re-open). In return, treat them to some new bed linen and if you want to keep the space as clutter free as possible – some funky storage boxes or containers will give them a reason to keep their room tidy!
• If you have taken down numerous paintings, pieces of artwork of photo frames from newly decorated walls, try and get used to living in the space without them for a while, and only put back up what you really want to. Less is more – and besides, you want to show off your fab new walls don’t you?

If you don’t have the time, skill or confidence to give your home the makeover it deserves then Safe Local Trades can put you in contact with many reputable and reliable professionals to help make your home sparkle this spring. Whether it’s cleaning or decluttering, odd jobs around the home, decorating, bringing new life to your upholstery, installing a new kitchen or bathroom, getting the windows professionally cleaned or your garden landscaped – they have tried, tested and reliable tradespeople for the job; however big or small. For more information on our members, to view their profiles, photo portfolios and reviews, visit www.safelocaltrades.com