Personal finance expert shares tips on how to get the most out of your spring clean, while making and saving money in the process.

For many of us, the lighter nights and warmer temperatures of spring are a welcome change after the long, dark winter months.

Increased daylight has been proven to improve our mood and leave us feeling more energised. This makes spring the perfect time to finally get round to ticking off those niggly jobs that you’ve been avoiding!

‘Spring cleaning’ is the act of decluttering and deep-cleaning your home.

A 2022 survey revealed that 93% of UK households give their home a spring clean at least once a year, with 54% of respondents claiming to actually enjoy the task!

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the end result - a sparkling space - can be hugely satisfying.

Dan Whittaker, personal finance expert at Viva Money, shares some ideas on how to get stuck into the big spring clean, with some additional tips on how you can save and even make yourself some money along the way.

1. Spring clean checklist

“It can be easy to miss things with so many nooks, crannies, and cupboards to sift through, dust down, bleach, and scrub. Write a list of exactly what needs doing so nothing gets forgotten. We’ve gathered a few ideas of our own to help get your ultimate spring clean underway.”

· Clear the fridge, freezer, and kitchen cupboards of unwanted and out-of-date food.

· Clean the fridge, including all drawers and compartments.

· Defrost the freezer.

· Clean the oven.

· Clean microwave.

· Clean dishwasher

· Clean washing machine.

· Wipe down kitchen cupboards, drawers, and sides.

· Bleach the bin.

· Wash sofa cushion covers.

· Wash throws.

· Hoover the sofa.

· Deep clean the mattress.

· Flip the mattress.

· Empty all drawers and cupboards and put aside anything you no longer need.

· Wash shower curtain.

· Wash all bathroom rugs.

· Bleach the toilet.

· Wipe down the shower, bath, and all surfaces.

· Clean mirrors.

· Dust everywhere, including skirting boards, banisters, and ledges.

· Hoover all floors.

· Mop laminate, wood, or stone flooring.

· Clean windows, inside and out.

· Wash curtains (always check the instructions).

2. Set a schedule

“Cleaning is a chore that few of us look forward to. Making a start can be daunting, especially if you have the whole house to tackle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to get started, why not make yourself a schedule? For example, you could aim to clear half of your rooms one weekend, and the other half the next.”

3. Need further persuasion…?

“Did you know that cleaning and tending to certain areas of your home could save you money?

Believe it or not, defrosting your freezer could actually help to cut the cost of your energy bills. When ice builds up, the fan has to work harder to regulate the freezer and keep it at the ideal temperature, using more energy in the process.

Similarly, dusting the vents and coils at the back of your fridge could also have a positive impact on your overall energy usage. Thick layers of dust can trap heat and prevent your fridge from doing its job to the best of its ability, as it struggles to retain the cool temperature required.

Dusting or hoovering the back of your fridge could reduce your energy consumption by a whopping 30%!”

4. One man’s trash…

“Before you fill a bin bag with unwanted items, have a think about whether they are really destined for the trash. Could those unused Christmas gifts be recycled and given to somebody else?

Maybe that unworn shirt could earn you a bit of money on Vinted. Second-hand sites, such as eBay and Vinted, are treasure troves for pre-loved items of all kinds, from clothes and accessories to household items and toys.

Alternatively, charity shops and organisations are often grateful for donations. Make sure your items are clean and in good condition, and check all pockets – just in case!”

5. Cleaning on the cheap

“Cleaning products can be expensive additions to our already-costly weekly shop.

We compared the price of some of the most common cleaning products across a handful of major UK supermarkets to find the best value-for-money options.”*

Bleach (ranked best to worst value)

Anti-bacterial spray (ranked best to worst value)

Anti-bacterial surface wipes (ranked best to worst value)

Glass cleaner (ranked best to worst value)

Sponge scourers (ranked best to worst value)

*Prices correct as of 29th November 2023.

6. DIY it!

“To save money on cleaning products altogether, you might want to try making your own supplies from natural, household ingredients. When it comes to sprucing up your abode, lemons in particular have long been hailed a versatile home remedy hero. Mixing four tablespoons of lemon juice with one cup of water will create a cheap alternative to glass and mirror spray, while combining two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice is a great substitute for furniture polish! Olive oil can also be used to add shine to stainless steel. Simply add a small amount to a cloth, scrub the area, and then wipe away with a clean cloth. Baking soda and warm water work well together to cleanse kitchen counters and the fridge.”

7. Waste not, want not

“Hang fire before chucking unwanted food when sifting through your kitchen cupboards, fridge, and freezer. If the food is in-date, why not download the free Olio app and offer it to people in your neighbourhood? Olio’s aim is to reduce both food waste and food poverty by encouraging individuals and businesses to offer their surplus foodie goods to locals, free of charge.

Another option is to take your unwanted items to a food bank, where they will be much appreciated.”

-ENDS-

Viva Money is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309)      

  

Website: INSERT VIVA MONEY WEBSITE LINK ONCE LIVE 
  
Dan Whittaker - Personal Finance Expert at Viva Money   

  

Dan has worked in the consumer finance sector for over a decade in a number of roles, including developing and maintaining commercial partnerships, marketing, and digital development.   

   

Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages.