NOW the kids are back at school, it’s time to get your house in order.
Do a satisfying blitz on a budget with these simple tips.
EXTRA TIME: A back-to-school blitz is halfway between keeping on top of things and going for a full deep-clean, says Heidi Phillips, from Tergo Specialist Cleaning Services in Neath.
She says: “Allow yourself around half as much time again as you would for a normal clean.
“So, if you usually spend two hours on your home, set aside three.”
KNOBBLY BITS: You may have kept on top of vacuuming and bathroom-cleaning over the summer holidays, but blitzing the whole house is impossible when everyone’s at home.
Now is the time to polish and clean all the places where sticky little hands have left their mark.
Tackle door knobs, banisters, light switches and door frames, and give your windows a spritz if you have time.
Then go over light fittings and lampshades with a clean feather duster.
PICK OF THE PRODUCTS: Heidi’s secret weapon is always a bottle of low-cost washing-up liquid.
Designed to cut through grease and grime, it can be the perfect product for a host of household chores.
She says: “It’s cheap, cheerful and mild and is the best thing for getting all the dirt and scum from bathroom sinks or giving your worktops an extra clean.”
PUSH IT TO THE EDGE: When it comes to wielding your vacuum cleaner, a quick once-over got you through the summer.
But now you need to step it up and use the machine’s tools to do a deeper dust-bust.
Get under furniture, along skirting boards and up into the ceiling corners to gobble up webs.
Lift up the cushion covers and work the nozzle along the backs of sofas and chairs and into the corners.
REVAMP your skincare collection with this five-piece Balanced bundle from Superdrug.
It includes cleansing balm, micellar water, and moisturiser.
Down from £56.95 to £28.45.
SAVE: £28.50
POP these Leon waffle fries in the oven or airfryer to enjoy the brand favourite at home.
A pack is £2.85 at Morrisons.
TWININGS new range of sparkling teas are fortified with vitamins and minerals to help keep you on top form.
Choose from boost, refresh and defence, £1.50 each, from Holland & Barrett.
BRIGHTEN up your front door with this autumn wreath, £25 from John Lewis.
Or give your home and wallet some seasonal cheer with B&M’s £15 version.
SAVE: £10
JIGSAWS are perfect for whiling away the darker evenings. Get cracking with two 1,000-piece puzzles at Hobbycraft for £25, saving a fiver.
GET kids stuck in to cooking with this 19-piece baking kit, down from £5.99 to £4.49 at The Range.
SAVE: £1.50
SOFTEN the back-to- school blow with 40 per cent off food at Frankie & Benny’s from now until September 20. Use code words Exclusive 40.
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