Autumn Leaves Are Falling ...

Autumn is here, the children are back in school, the days are getting shorter, and the need for woollies is just around the corner. 

This is the time of year when you spend the most time inside your home with friends and family. Autumn cleaning is mostly routine, with just a few extras to do while you're preparing for Halloween. However you need to ensure your garden and patio are sorted for the change of season. Then attend to inside preparation and planning. 

 

Outside

• Gather up all the fallen leaves and storm debris and put them in the compost
• Clean and power hose decking, patios and driveways
• Clean gutters and down pipes. Make sure all drains are free of debris
• Remove all cobwebs, dust and dirt from eaves and soffits
• Clean all exterior windows, window frames and window sills

Inside

• Clean out your kitchen presses, remove any out of date items left behind. dented or damaged tins and any unwanted items that are just taking up space.
• Vacuum your curtains and get rid of any cobwebs.
• Clean all of the mattresses in the house to keep dust mites under control. Vacuum the top of the mattress, move the mattress and vacuum base, Turn mattresses (do you remember which way you turned them last time?) and don't forget to vacuum the other side too.
• Your computer needs a clean too. Start by turning the keyboard upside down and shake out any dust or crumbs. Use compressed air to blow out any other bits, NOT a vacuum. Wipe keys and all other exterior surfaces with a damp cloth and then dry. No need to use special cleaner. If you dare to go inside do not use a vacuum. Just blow out the dust particles that you cannot remove with your fingers or a soft brush.
• Those smelly cloths or sponges also need a thorough washing. To disinfect smelly sponges, wash sponge thoroughly, then microwave it while it is wet, for a short period. Make sure there are no metal bits in the cloth or sponge. When you see steam from the sponge, the bacteria in the sponge will be dead. Remove carefully, it will be hot! Wash the sponge thoroughly before use