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Guest Picks: Cleaning Essentials
After an unusually long and cold winter in the Southern Hemisphere, I am truly ready for spring. I cannot wait to throw open the doors and windows to catch the first hints of warm breezes and sunshine.
I'm already itching to freshen up my home to welcome in the new season — but I don't mean freshen up by adding decor. I'm talking about uncluttering and giving my space a deep clean. I know my northern friends are not coming into spring, but perhaps you've had the kids underfoot all summer and haven't had a chance to keep up with your usual cleaning routine, or maybe your hard work has been undone the minute you've finished!
No matter what time of year, it's amazing what a spring clean can do to change the way your home feels. — Alicia from Atypical Type A
I'm already itching to freshen up my home to welcome in the new season — but I don't mean freshen up by adding decor. I'm talking about uncluttering and giving my space a deep clean. I know my northern friends are not coming into spring, but perhaps you've had the kids underfoot all summer and haven't had a chance to keep up with your usual cleaning routine, or maybe your hard work has been undone the minute you've finished!
No matter what time of year, it's amazing what a spring clean can do to change the way your home feels. — Alicia from Atypical Type A
by Father Rabbit
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Cobwebber Long Handled Duster - $63.64 »
New Zealand's online general store "Father Rabbit" is seriously the destination if you're looking for household items with old-fashioned style and quality.
Pick up one of these long-handled brushes to easily tackle those cobwebs.
Pick up one of these long-handled brushes to easily tackle those cobwebs.
by See Jane Work
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Canvas Tall Bin, Chevron - $90.00 »
I find the biggest barrier to keeping a neat and tidy home is not having anywhere to put things. These large totes are perfect for storing bulky items such as sporting equipment, large toys and spare blankets and cushions.
If you pick a simple pattern like this chevron design, it will be versatile enough to use in a variety of ways as your needs change.
If you pick a simple pattern like this chevron design, it will be versatile enough to use in a variety of ways as your needs change.
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Retur Waste Sorting Bin - $19.95 »
Even after my husband and I have done our nightly household routine of sorting the mail and doing the dishes, the house doesn't seem tidy because of all the recycling created by these processes.
If only we had a set of these simple sorting bins, we could immediately stash our paper and bottles out of sight until bin night.
If only we had a set of these simple sorting bins, we could immediately stash our paper and bottles out of sight until bin night.
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Bag Holder, Hare - AUD 14.95 »
Boy, do I ever need one of these! My "system" for storing plastic bags is to shove them in the kitchen undersink cupboard until they begin spilling out over the floor.
Hanging a bag dispenser on the side of your fridge (or inside a walk-in pantry if you're lucky enough to have one) would solve this problem in a cinch.
Hanging a bag dispenser on the side of your fridge (or inside a walk-in pantry if you're lucky enough to have one) would solve this problem in a cinch.
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Head Over Healing First Aid Box - $29.99 »
After a long winter, it may look like a pharmacy has exploded in your home. Gather up those boxes of cold and flu tablets and jars of cough syrup and stash them away in this easy-to-identify box.
Oh, and while you're there, you might need to get out the hay-fever medication.
Oh, and while you're there, you might need to get out the hay-fever medication.
by Father Rabbit
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Goat Hair Furniture Brush - $25.78 »
Ugh, dusting! It would be so much less of a chore if you didn't have to dismantle your carefully arranged styling first.
Well, apparently this brush is so soft that it can dust your shelf without you having to move a thing. It's also perfect for getting into the nooks and crannies of delicate furniture details.
Well, apparently this brush is so soft that it can dust your shelf without you having to move a thing. It's also perfect for getting into the nooks and crannies of delicate furniture details.
by See Jane Work
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Vinea Stacking Letter Tray - $17.00 »
Any cleanup is going to yield a huge amount of rogue paperwork from around the house. Once you've gone through and dealt with it all, create a central zone where you can stack it in the future.
Trays don't come any prettier than this. You could use one tray per action (in tray, out tray, bills to pay) or per family member.
Trays don't come any prettier than this. You could use one tray per action (in tray, out tray, bills to pay) or per family member.
by See Jane Work
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Button Box - $15.00 »
Whenever I go through my wardrobe to get rid of some clothes, I inevitably discover a number of items that I want to keep but haven't been wearing because they need mending.
It's a bit of a nuisance to do one thing at a time, so gather everything up, put on a movie and sort out all those long hems, missing buttons and holes at once.
It's a bit of a nuisance to do one thing at a time, so gather everything up, put on a movie and sort out all those long hems, missing buttons and holes at once.
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Time to Sparrow Clip Set - $14.99 »
You're bound to come across a bunch of lonely socks in drawers and laundry baskets. Pop these cute little guys on a line in the laundry, and let the family know that they'll be able to look for their missing socks there.
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Trompe l'Aundry Hamper - $27.99 »
Make putting away dirty clothes more enjoyable for the kiddos with the most fun laundry hamper I've ever seen.
When the window is full, it's time to put on a load.
When the window is full, it's time to put on a load.
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Reclaimed Wood Storage Unit - $139.00 »
When I first moved into my home, the laundry had zero storage. The wall-mounted unit I installed (admittedly not as cool as this one) made cleaning so much easier with everything in arm's reach.
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Locksmith Welcome Mat - $34.00 »
Giving the ol' door mat a good whacking is an essential part of any spring clean. If you've done that and it's still looking anything but welcoming, it might be time for a new one.
This great vintage key design would freshen up the entrance to any style of home.
This great vintage key design would freshen up the entrance to any style of home.
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Burken Jar with Lid - $3.99 »
If I had one tip about storage, it would be to remember that you don't just have to look in the storage aisle for specific-use items. Trays, jars, bowls and boxes can be used for any number of things.
This inexpensive jar from Ikea, for example, would make the perfect container for keeping laundry powder. Ditch the ugly box and use this as attractive yet practical decor on open shelving in your laundry.
This inexpensive jar from Ikea, for example, would make the perfect container for keeping laundry powder. Ditch the ugly box and use this as attractive yet practical decor on open shelving in your laundry.
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Tea Towel, Dragonfly - AUD 24.95 »
After your house is looking all sparkly, you may find that some of your linens are looking a little shabby. Ditch the cheapo tea towels that have become threadbare, and brighten up the kitchen with a fun and fresh pattern.
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Ironing Board Cover, Teardrop - AUD 29.95 »
Similarly, check if it's time to replace your ironing board cover. If you hang your ironing board in plain sight in the laundry as I do, pick a sweet pattern that ties into your room for decor that's totally functional.
While you're at it, take an extra five minutes and replace the padding to make ironing that much more effective.
While you're at it, take an extra five minutes and replace the padding to make ironing that much more effective.
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Baden Shower Caddy - AUD 29.95 »
You've put all this effort into cleaning so you want to make it easy to keep it that way.
Bottles of shampoo and body wash on the floor of the shower (let alone slimy loofahs — ew) will build up gunk. A simple shower caddy or shelf will make your shower not only look neater, but be easier to clean as well.
Bottles of shampoo and body wash on the floor of the shower (let alone slimy loofahs — ew) will build up gunk. A simple shower caddy or shelf will make your shower not only look neater, but be easier to clean as well.
by Father Rabbit
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Washed Cotton Linen Water - $39.47 »
A feeling of cleanliness involves more senses than just touch and sight. Spray your linens with this beautiful scented water, and it will fill your home with a wonderful smell of freshness.
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BeeHive Party Tub - $14.99 »
You know you really should clean the upstairs bathroom, so you trudge up there with armfuls of cleaning gear. Then you realize you left something back in the laundry. Ugh. You finally get the job done, but by then, you can't be bothered to put everything away again.
Sound familiar? You need a cleaning caddy! Tuck all of your essentials into one container so you can quickly move from room to room with everything on hand.
These tubs are actually for party drinks, but who says cleaning gear can't look fun?
Sound familiar? You need a cleaning caddy! Tuck all of your essentials into one container so you can quickly move from room to room with everything on hand.
These tubs are actually for party drinks, but who says cleaning gear can't look fun?
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Mud Laundry Infused Clay Tags - AUD 14.00 »
I don't believe in making only the aspects of your home that guests will see attractive. Your home is for your own enjoyment too.
These adorable clay labels may not make doing the laundry something you look forward to, but at least they might put a smile on your face when you do it.
These adorable clay labels may not make doing the laundry something you look forward to, but at least they might put a smile on your face when you do it.
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Soft Touch Soap Dispenser - AUD 9.99 »
One of the most effective ways of keeping your wet areas looking crisp after you've done a good clean is by getting rid of any unsightly containers on your countertops.
Lose the supermarket packaging and opt for a simple and attractive soap dispenser. It will cost you a few dollars to begin with, but after that, you can choose your soap based on its value not its packaging.
Next: 15 Steps to Spring Clean Your Kitchen
Lose the supermarket packaging and opt for a simple and attractive soap dispenser. It will cost you a few dollars to begin with, but after that, you can choose your soap based on its value not its packaging.
Next: 15 Steps to Spring Clean Your Kitchen
