The nights are lighter, the days are warmer and everyone’s in the mood to socialise and have fun and what better way than a party? There’s food to prepare, an outfit to choose and most importantly, we need to clean!
Cleaning is probably the most dreaded part of your party preparation. However we’re here to make it simple and easy so you can focus on getting yourself ready for the party. With the help from the cleaning excerpts at Vax, here are 10 tips on how to get your home summer party ready, a checklist if you will.
WASH YOUR WINDOWS
It may be difficult to avoid during this sunny season, but try not to clean your windows on a warm day as they will dry too quickly and probably streak. On sunny days, you can see every mark and smear on your windows so it’s essential you clean them before your party. Plus, if they’re squeaky clean, more light will shine through. A good tip is to use the traditional method of scrunched up newspaper and your preferred glass cleaner for the best shine.
WASH DOWN GARDEN FURNITURE
If the weather is nice, you may want to pop outside and enjoy the warm evening breeze, but you don’t want to do that sitting on furniture layered with moss and dirt. Wash down your garden furniture with hot, soapy water with a splash of bleach in it to get rid of any dirt or stubborn stains. While we’re talking about furniture, here’s how to create the ultimate garden chill-out area – ideal for your summer party.
TIDY UP OUTSIDE
If you want your garden to be instagram ready for your party, this is the perfect time to break out your pressure washer; they’re small but pack a mighty punch and will clear the pathway (literally!) to cleaner, brighter patio and decking.
The guys at Hotsy Equipment Company recommend using a patio wash tool attachment for the quickest clean. If you decide you’ll want to throw some meat on the barbecue to feed your guests, a pressure washer is the perfect solution for giving it that well deserved clean without the effort. Speaking of cleaning tools…
INVEST IN THE RIGHT TOOLS
You want to spend as little time as possible cleaning so we recommend going cordless with your vacuum, as it’s faster and much more convenient. If there’s a few crumbs that need picking up or a last minute dust around, you don’t have to get your vacuum out from the cupboard then unravel the cord, plug it in and so on.
We’re also big fans of steam cleaning here at IDEAL. Steam cleaning is a fun, easy and some say an addictive way to hygienically clean a huge range of surfaces around your home, all with one machine. A multifunctional steam cleaner can be used to clean floors, door handles, upholstery, and you can even use a window attachment for your windows and glass. The uses are unlimited and it means you don’t have to switch between different cloths, sprays, liquids and brushes. They certainly make a fast but effective cleaning option before a party.
DUST YOUR DUST
This seems like an obvious thing to do, but we’ve found an even quicker way than using a duster is to use a lint roller. You can swiftly remove dust from lampshades and furniture by rolling it over dusty objects and fabrics.
CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN BIN
While we doubt anyone will be rooting around in your bin, the kitchen is often a focal area of a party so it’s best to make sure the bin doesn’t pong. The best way to clean it is to take it into the shower and give it a good scrub down with hot soapy water or diluted bleach. This will eliminate any lingering smells and ensure its germ free.
WHAT SMELLS SO GOOD?
Often, when you think of the best elements of summer, it’s the scents of the season that come to mind; freshly cut grass, flowers in bloom, even summer rain showers – and you want your summer party to be associated with the best of the season. Invest in a diffuser or some summer scented candles.
You could also try spraying perfume or rubbing scented oil on a cool lightbulb instead, then when its dried turn the light on and it will emit a lovely fragrance all around your home. However, as the clever guys at WikiHOW warn “avoid getting oil on the base that screws into the light socket. Also avoid putting oil on incandescent or halogen light bulbs because they can get very hot and burn. Your light bulb may have a shorter lifespan as a result”.
SINKS & DRAINS
Sinks and drains can carry more germs than your toilet bowl! Yes you did read that correctly. Make sure you use a sufficient drain cleaner that will deodorise any smells, and use bleach to disinfect any lingering germs. A sink is a much visited area during a party and you want to make sure it smells and looks clean.
DISINFECT WITH SPONGE
If an accidental wine glass knocks onto the floor the last thing you want is to reveal your dirty sauce-stained sponge to the world. Make sure it’s stain free and if you want to quickly disinfect before the party, pop it in the microwave for a few minutes until steam arises and the germs should be gone.
DON’T FORGET THE HALLWAY
It’s so important to create a good first impression and your hallway is the first glimpse visitors have of your home. So make sure you have a clean doormat for feet and wash your door with hot soapy water. Your hall is a high traffic area, so ensuring the floors are clean and clutter is stored away is also important.
Now it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy your summer party! But before you know it the fun is over and you’ll need to prepare for a post party clean up. We know it’s horrible thinking about cleaning the day after a party, but it has to be done.
Don’t forget to clean sticky surfaces, put bags full of rubbish in the skip and tackle any stains. If the worst should happen and someone spills wine on your carpet, first pat it gently with kitchen roll (don’t rub) to absorb as much of the liquid as possible and then use an extraction carpet cleaner for best results.
After more cleaning tips? Here’s how to remove the top 10 summer stains, including ketchup, wine, grass and more.