Tag Archive: Cleaning

  1. Spring Cleaning – Easy-To-Forget Jobs

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    26 Easily Forgotten Spring Cleaning Jobs

    By Rachael – Content Editor

    Published February 2021

     

    Spring into cleaning, you’ve got this.

    Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to get down and dirty – with some spring cleaning! Freshening up your home and garden will give your mood a boost and make it easier to sit back and enjoy the upcoming warmer weather.

    We all know the basic things to clean, but there are some cleaning jobs that get easily missed. We have put together a little checklist of commonly forgotten spring cleaning jobs to help every home feel and look its best.

    Man crouched down spring cleaning his chrome oven with a blue cloth

    One room at a time.

    Spring cleaning can feel like such a big task and not a fun one at that. It is important to take your time and do things step by step, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Try getting together as a family or dynamite duo, cleaning with some company is always more enjoyable. Pop on the radio and add some energy to your atmosphere, lifting your spirits will help any task feel more enjoyable.

     

    Everything happens in the kitchen.

    Let’s be honest, the kitchen is definitely prone to the most mess in your home. From family fry-ups to regular roasts, there will be oils splattered galore. Cupboards are full of leaky condiments, rogue pasta shells and cake sprinkles. Do we even want to think about how many things have fallen down the back of the oven?!

    Never fear, the grime will clear. Whack on some rubber gloves and sharpen your scourers – it will be shining bright again in no time. Here is our list of commonly forgotten places to clean in the kitchen:

    Knife Block – Remove all the knives and give the slots a good cleaning, bacteria can easily build up there.

    Kettle – Kettles need descaling regularly, but a good all over clean is also good practice.

    Washing Machine – Take out your machine and clean the space behind it. Follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to deep clean the machine inside.

    Fridge – A deep clean inside is essential for fridges. Check any filters inside and pull the fridge out to clean behind it. Sanitise handles and wipe down the outside.

    Toaster – Clean out the crumb tray and give the toaster a good shake before cleaning its surfaces.

    Cupboards – Empty your cupboards one at a time and wipe down all surfaces. Be sure to dry them before putting everything back.

    Oven – As well as giving the inside a good clean, don’t forget the exterior – especially handles. Pull out your oven and clean behind it, you will be surprised how much gets down there.

    Microwave –  Take out the tray and clean the inside thoroughly. Try these great tips for getting the bad smells out of your microwave from Universal Appliance Repair.

    Blue rubber glove using a yellow sponge to clean the inside of a microwave

     

    Make your bathroom shine.

    We already spend a lot of time cleaning the bathroom due to its nature, but is there anything we are forgetting? Once the tiles are gleaming and everything is sanitised, look out for these easily missed bathroom cleaning jobs:

    Shower Curtains – Depending on the fabric, bacteria can easily linger on shower curtains. Take them down and give them a good clean, some can even go in the machine! 

    Toothbrush holder – It is usually difficult to see inside a toothbrush holder, but they are the perfect hiding place for grime and mould.

    Air Vents & Extractor Fans – Dust and debris can prevent your extractor fans from working properly and reduce air quality.

    Bathroom Storage –  Give your shelving and cupboards a good clean. It’s also a great opportunity to have a good sort out.

     

    Love your living room.

    Now the months of cosy tucked away evenings are behind us, we need to freshen up our home to be guest-ready. Aside from the daily clean-ups, giving your living space a deep clean can make the room feel renewed and inviting. Here are a few jobs you may not have thought about, which will give an instant uplift:

    Upholstered Furniture – Steam cleaning your sofas and chairs can make them feel brand new, brightening the fabric and removing smells.

    Cushions & Throws – Even if they look clean, give your throws and cushions covers a machine wash. You can also wash the cushion inserts but check the label first.

    Blinds – Not the easiest to dust, but worth it. Try closing over the blinds and wiping them with a microfibre cloth to bust the dust.

    Curtains – Most ready-made curtains can be machine washed, but check the label. Clean curtains can add a delightfully fresh scent to the room.

    Carpets & Rugs – Not all dirt can be removed by the vacuum cleaner. Try a once over with a good quality carpet cleaner to have your floor looking good as new.

    Lady relaxing on a couch and enjoying a nice clean living room

     

    Brighten up your bedroom

    Your bedroom should be a relaxing sanctuary to come home to, improve the air quality by ridding the space of unnecessary dust. Give your bedroom the same treatment as any other living space with regular cleaning. Don’t forget these key focus areas whilst spring cleaning:

    Mattress – Go over your mattress with the vacuum to help shift dust. Flipping a mattress periodically is also recommended.

    Pillows – Most pillows can be machine washed but always check the label. Washing not only freshens them up but will help your pillows last longer.

    Lamps & Lighting Fixtures – Bedside lamps are usually dust magnets, lightly dust the light bulbs and wipe down the lampshades inside and out.

    Underneath & Behind – Bedrooms usually have lots of bulky furniture, be sure to vacuum under and behind these to clear any build-ups of dust.

     

    Sometimes it’s the little things

    A spring clean is a perfect time to clean up all aspects of your everyday living. You may discover there are some household items that get regular use that completely forget when it comes to our cleaning routine. These simple reminders could really freshen up your surroundings:

    The vacuum cleaner – A clean vacuum cleaner will work more efficiently and help avoid any unwanted smells.

    Smoke detectors – Give all detectors in your home a good clean and change over the batteries if needed.

    Mobile Phones – Studies have found that our mobile phones harbour huge amounts of bacteria when not cleaned regularly.

    Landlines – Not all homes have a landline, but if you do then give it a thorough wipe down.

    Doors – Freshen up your front door for a great first impression. Glass sealants are prone to a build-up of grime. Be sure to dust the tops of all interior doors, they often get forgotten.

    couple standing with cleaning products in a very tidy living room looking accomplished after spring cleaning

    Less mess, less stress.

    Once all the work is done, it is time to stand back and admire all of your spring cleaning hard work. Not only is your home smelling fresh and inviting, but you can relax knowing every space is nice and clean. When spring arrives and the windows are flooded with glorious sunshine, your home will be gleaming.

     

    We have a great range of cleaning products available online, see our online range here.

     

    Visit us in-store for our full range of cleaning products, you can find your nearest QD here.

     

     

  2. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Your Home

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    Environmentally Sustainable Cleaning Products from Astonish

    By Rachael – Content Editor

    Published 4th January 2022

     

    Little changes can make a BIG difference, especially in helping our planet. At QD, we are on a mission to become a more environmentally responsible business. As such, we have partnered up with Astonish to help provide you with eco-friendly cleaning products, leaving your home spic and span.

    Icons for cruelty free international, vegan and vegetarian society approved.

    How can I be eco-friendly when cleaning?

    Keep an eye out for eco-friendly cleaning products the next time you are shopping, you will be surprised how many are available. Luckily for us, the manufacturers have done all the hard work for us by making sure their products are sustainably sourced. Brands like Astonish have a wide range of products available with a minimal environmental impact.

     

    Is eco-friendly expensive?

    It doesn’t have to be! We stock a wide variety of eco-friendly products at discount prices, helping you to be sustainable without spending a fortune. See our range of Astonish products to find environmentally responsible products at surprisingly low prices.

    Black and white polaroid photograph of Astonish founder.

    Why choose Astonish?

    This local, family business is based in the heart of West Yorkshire and has over 40 years of experience producing quality cleaning products. From humble beginnings selling door to door, Astonish now make over 60 products that are distributed nationwide to keep households clean.

    Astonish products are 100% cruelty free

    100% Cruelty-Free

    Astonish eco-friendly cleaning products are tested to a high standard by people, but never on animals. Every single Astonish household product has been approved under the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny programme.

    Father and daughter recycling an Astonish product into an outdoor recycling bin.

    Recyclable packaging

    Astonish factories run on as low emissions as possible and keep waste at a minimum. They are a sustainable brand based within the UK and constantly strive to reduce packaging.

    We all know plastic is a big problem, which is why Astonish encourages customers to reuse bottles and plastic spray triggers. You can also check with your local recycling to see what else can be recycled from the packaging.

    Astonish branded lorry on the road in a heart shape frame.

    Reduced carbon footprint

    Astonish keep things as local as possible, building great relationships within the community. Manufacturing and packaging all happen under one roof, reducing the need for unnecessary journeys. With their distribution partner just next door, Astonish make their road miles as efficient as possible.

    Three Astonish cleaning products with a recycling symbol in blue.

    Eco-friendly innovation

    Striving to become as sustainable as possible, Astonish offer various eco-friendly cleaning products – as well as health and beauty products. Avoiding harmful chemicals where possible, their products are both kind to your skin and to nature.

     

    A helping hand from nature

    Creating the perfect balance between powerful cleaning and sustainable sourcing isn’t easy. Astonish combat this by using the finest natural ingredients that provide you with great cleaning performance.

    Astonish have carefully selected plant-based solutions as alternatives to traditional synthetic ingredients, so you can keep clean with the power of green.

    So, if you’re looking for an easy way to improve your environmental impact, Astonish could help you clean up in more ways than one.

     

    Visit us in-store or click here to find out more about our Value Our Planet mission.

    Value Our Planet