We’re living through some pretty strange times right now. At the start of the year, the majority of us were making our plans for the upcoming twelve months – booking holidays, booking festivals, gigs and concert tickets, arranging birthday parties and all sorts of other exciting things to look forward to. On a day to day basis, we’d be tied up in the chaos of commuting, working, chores, exercise regimes, social plans and more. But over the past couple of months, things have changed drastically. The spread of coronavirus has resulted in a worldwide pandemic that has seen our plans canceled and us confined to our homes. Now, unless we’re key workers, we can’t leave our homes other than for essentials. We can head out for food and medication and that’s it. Unsurprisingly, many of us are finding ourselves bored and restless. So what better time to spruce up your home a little? You’re spending a whole lot of time indoors, so you should do your utmost to make the space as pleasant to spend time in as possible. This is also one of the rare opportunities where you literally don’t have anything better or more fun to do! Here are a few areas you might want to focus on to get started in the right direction!
Cleaning the Carpets
We tend to be pretty on top of controlling dirt in our homes. The average person has a good level of hygiene. But when it comes to dirt on our floors, we tend to turn a relatively blind eye! Our floors really do take the brunt of what’s brought into our homes from the outside world. Some people try to reduce dirt on the floors by removing their own shoes and encouraging guests to remove their shoes when entering the house. But some remnants will still make their way in. Whether that’s on pets’ paws or in some other way. This ground in dirt will begin to build up over time and can dull your carpets – not to mention the hygiene factor of having months’ worth of dirt hiding in the carpets’ fibres. Sure, you can run the vacuum around your carpet on a regular basis. But even vacuuming daily doesn’t get any deeper dirt out. It’s only really a resolve for surface dirt. This is why you might want to consider professional carpet cleaning. This uses moisture or steam to lift dirt from the floor and really give things a good wash. There are plenty of hirable cleaning machines out there. Alternatively, you might want to consider professional carpet cleaning when people are back out and about at work!
Cleaning Shower Curtains
Another area that really experiences a lot of neglect is shower curtains. Now, many people have now replaced shower curtains with shower screens nowadays. They’re easier to clean and often more hygienic. But if you still have a shower curtain, it’s important to give it a thorough clean on a more regular basis than you probably currently do. Don’t make the common error of believing that these home features clean themselves through regular exposure to running water. They’re damp a lot of the time, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria! A simple way to clean your curtain properly is to remove it from its rail and place it in your washing machine. Turn it on to a cool wash on a gentle cycle. Do not tumble dry your shower curtain. Instead, simply hang it back up and allow it to drip dry. Stubborn stains can be tackled with a pressure washer, but these aren’t quite so common. Generally, a gentle wash will be sufficient.
Fix Up the Garden
If you have a garden, you’re in luck. You can get out and enjoy some sun and fresh air more often than those who aren’t lucky enough to have a garden right now. But if you’ve let things get a little out of control over the winter, it might be time for you to get a little green-fingered to make it a nicer space to spend time in. Now, many people leave their gardening to the professionals, so this may be the first time you’re trying out gardening yourself. Just make sure to be safe and don’t try anything that could potentially be dangerous. Cut your grass with a lawnmower. Trim the edges with a strimmer. Pull up weeds. Dig up some flower beds. Make some hanging baskets. Your outdoor space will be a much nicer space in next to no time. You could also consider planting some climber plants up your exterior walls. This will provide your home with a little decoration. Ivy is generally considered the most traditional option. It’s not a great option for people with children or pets though, as it can be toxic if consumed. Safer options include Wisteria or roses.
Give Your Walls a Fresh Lick of Paint
Walls build up dirt without you knowing it. Over a couple of years, the color will become dull and dirty. Even if you don’t want to change your interior design and like the current color of your walls, it’s still a good idea to do a fresh coat of paint in the same color. All you need is some rollers, brushes, trays and paint. It may take a little while, but it’s going to make all the difference and will prove well worth your time and effort. If you’re feeling particularly committed to your home improvement, you might want to consider painting skirting boards, door frames, doors and other home features too!
These are just a few different things you can do to significantly improve your home. The steps are achievable and should also help to keep your mind occupied during a time when you might otherwise feel a little bored!
