Spring into Action Around the House
Announcement posted by AHEDA 12 Sep 2017
Kärcher’s guide to taking the stress out of Spring Cleaning
Spring is finally here, signalling the perfect time to wipe away the winter cobwebs and spruce up the house – inside and out. Whether you love the annual spring clean ritual or see it as just another must-do on your life admin list, the experts in cleaning technology, Kärcher, has you covered with this handy guide which will help you get your home and garden looking spotless in no time.
KÄRCHER’S GUIDE TO SPRING CLEANING
Make a plan KÄRCHER’S GUIDE TO SPRING CLEANING
With various rooms, the garden, the car, sheds and fences requiring attention, Spring cleaning can be daunting. So, first prioritise what you want to get done and decide what’s achievable in the time you have. It is often worth writing a list and then working on one space at a time from top to bottom:
INDOORS
- Wipe down cupboards and wardrobes
- Dust off all surfaces such as tables, windowsills and plants
- Vacuum upholstery and furniture
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Vaccum or mop floors
- Tackle the car, shed exteriors and garden furniture
- Wash down fences and gates
- Move onto paths, terraces and driveways
- Finish up with windows and conservetories
Gather your tools
Less is more when it comes to detergent, and the following five are sufficient – multi-purpose cleaner, cream cleaner, glass cleaner, dishwashing liquid, and acid cleaner. All homes also need basic equipment, such as:
Tap into expert tips: There are lots of ways to give grime the boot – these can be split into the traditional ways your parents may have used, and the easy ways, using the latest in-home technology.
DUSTY MATTERS
- A dustpan and brush
- A mop and bucket
- Cleaning sponges
- A feather duster
- Soft cotton cleaning cloths
- Microfibre cleaning cloths
- Red for the toilet
- Yellow for bathroom surfaces
- Green for the kitchen
- Blue for all other surfaces and furniture
Tap into expert tips: There are lots of ways to give grime the boot – these can be split into the traditional ways your parents may have used, and the easy ways, using the latest in-home technology.
DUSTY MATTERS
TRADITIONAL: The old way to attack the grey stuff was with a soft, slightly damp cotton cloth, avoiding dust being kicked up during wiping. This is still the best way to clean high-gloss surfaces that are prone to scratching or dulling from other methods.
EASY: Now anti-static microfibre cloths collect dust with ease and are perfect for water sensitive surfaces, as dust particles adhere to them without the need for moisture. Coarse dirt is also quickly removed using a vacuum cleaner with soft furniture brush attachment, such as the VC6.100 ($449, available at Bunnings nationwide). This comes with a range of attachments and glides around the house with ease thanks to its ComfoGlide floor nozzle which reduces effort by up to 30%. It also features a powerful and hygienic HEPA 12 filter with a highly efficient seal for better dust retention.
EASY: Now anti-static microfibre cloths collect dust with ease and are perfect for water sensitive surfaces, as dust particles adhere to them without the need for moisture. Coarse dirt is also quickly removed using a vacuum cleaner with soft furniture brush attachment, such as the VC6.100 ($449, available at Bunnings nationwide). This comes with a range of attachments and glides around the house with ease thanks to its ComfoGlide floor nozzle which reduces effort by up to 30%. It also features a powerful and hygienic HEPA 12 filter with a highly efficient seal for better dust retention.
STREAK FREE WINDOWS
TRADITIONAL: It’s surprising how much more light a clear window lets into a room, making it feel bright and breezy again after a gloomy winter. The key here is to ensure that no liquids dry onto the surface. This can be achieved by buffing with a dry cloth and a lot of elbow grease.
EASY: Fast, streak-free results can also be achieved with minimal effort using a Window Vac, such as the Kärcher WV5 PREMIUM ($139, available at Bunnings nationwide). After washing down each pane, this little helper sucks up dirty water into a tank so it doesn’t end up on the floor. The soft rubber squeegee also protects window seals while you work.
EASY: Fast, streak-free results can also be achieved with minimal effort using a Window Vac, such as the Kärcher WV5 PREMIUM ($139, available at Bunnings nationwide). After washing down each pane, this little helper sucks up dirty water into a tank so it doesn’t end up on the floor. The soft rubber squeegee also protects window seals while you work.
WASHING HARD FLOORS
TRADITIONAL: Having polished off the rest of your list, it’s time to sweep and mop the floors. Use a strong detergent to kill bacteria and twiddle your thumbs while the wet floors dry off.
EASY: You only need one gadget to tackle floor dwelling germs. A steam cleaner kills 99.9% of bacteria in one pass without the need for chemicals by harnessing the power of hot water. Most will come with attachments that allow you to clean stubborn dirt on surfaces, around water fixtures and between tiles, making them particularly useful for kitchens and bathrooms.
EASY: You only need one gadget to tackle floor dwelling germs. A steam cleaner kills 99.9% of bacteria in one pass without the need for chemicals by harnessing the power of hot water. Most will come with attachments that allow you to clean stubborn dirt on surfaces, around water fixtures and between tiles, making them particularly useful for kitchens and bathrooms.
KITCHEN CLEANING
TRADITIONAL:
Grease and encrusted food residues in cooking appliances and on extractor hoods require time-consuming and physically draining scrubbing with harsh chemicals.
EASY: Steam cleaners use the powerful combination of pressure and heat to dissolve filth, and a round brush removes lingering encrustations without damaging the surface. This can then be wiped clean with a cloth. The handy SC1 PREMIUM ($129, available at Harvey Norman nationwide) is perfect for these tasks. Just make sure you unplug electrical devices before starting.
Grease and encrusted food residues in cooking appliances and on extractor hoods require time-consuming and physically draining scrubbing with harsh chemicals.EASY: Steam cleaners use the powerful combination of pressure and heat to dissolve filth, and a round brush removes lingering encrustations without damaging the surface. This can then be wiped clean with a cloth. The handy SC1 PREMIUM ($129, available at Harvey Norman nationwide) is perfect for these tasks. Just make sure you unplug electrical devices before starting.
CAR WASHING AFTER WINTER
TRADITIONAL: – Winter is a hard time of year for cars, bringing with it an aggressive mixture of moisture, cold air, wet dirt and especially road salt which can speed up the formation of rust. The age-old method to washing a car would be to grab a bucket of soapy water, a big sponge and a shammy to wash and buff the car.
EASY: Pressure washers, such as the K5 PREMIUM FULL CONTROL + CAR + HOME ($849, available at Bunnings nationwide), which comes with a range of handy attachments and detergents, are the go-to tool for all vehicles. For this purpose, a flat jet should be used at a distance of about 30 centimetres cleaning all surfaces including the underbody and wheel arches. Using a detergent makes it easier to remove detritus, which then only needs rinsing off. If using a wash brush attachment, first spray the car to remove stones that could scratch the paint.
EASY: Pressure washers, such as the K5 PREMIUM FULL CONTROL + CAR + HOME ($849, available at Bunnings nationwide), which comes with a range of handy attachments and detergents, are the go-to tool for all vehicles. For this purpose, a flat jet should be used at a distance of about 30 centimetres cleaning all surfaces including the underbody and wheel arches. Using a detergent makes it easier to remove detritus, which then only needs rinsing off. If using a wash brush attachment, first spray the car to remove stones that could scratch the paint.To Note: Before washing the car, check whether car washing is permitted in your location, as laws vary according to the State, city or municipality. The possibility of polluting the groundwater should also be ruled out.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE
TRADITIONAL: A basic wipe down, rinse and scrub with water and washing detergent will re
move most dust and grime from materials. Any rust should be treated with a citric acid cleaner, except for marble products that require a specialised solution.
EASY: A high-pressure washer accelerates the process. Using a detergent that has a gentle effect on the surface is recommended. Meanwhile, cushions that are subjected to extremes of weather should be sprayed with a special stain guard to keep them good as new.
EASY: A high-pressure washer accelerates the process. Using a detergent that has a gentle effect on the surface is recommended. Meanwhile, cushions that are subjected to extremes of weather should be sprayed with a special stain guard to keep them good as new.
OUTDOOR SURFACES
TRADITIONAL: Whether Douglas fir, Bangkirai wood, modern wood polymers, or porous stone – dirt gets stuck in natural structures more easily and is more difficult to remove than from smooth stone flooring. Take a stiff brush and scrub to remove some worn in grime, moss and lichen, however, this will wear away at the material over time.EASY: In this instance, it is best to use a pressure washer with a flat jet nozzle and spray lance, water pressure can be adjusted to match the material, lifting grime out of the tightest nooks and crannies in moments. Wooden surfaces should be painted with a special varnish following cleaning to protect against weathering and to freshen up the colour.
Media Contact:
Chris Chelvan / History Will Be Kind / chris.chelvan@historywillbekind.com.au / +61 2 8046 4846
About Kärcher:
Kärcher has 11,500 employees in 60 countries and 100 companies. The family-owned firm produces its cleaning equipment in Germany, Italy, Romania, the United States, Brazil, Mexico and China. More than 50,000 service centres ensure worldwide customer service. In the company’s development centres, more than 650 engineers and technicians are engaged in design engineering new solutions. In 2015 the company posted its highest-ever sales revenues of €2.22 billion and sold 10.8 million machines, more than ever before in its history.