There are a lot of reasons to do a thorough clean-up of the house during this time. Some do it to change the interior from dark and heavy cold textures to bright and floral décor to brighten up their moods. Some do it for the sake of hygiene. Winter is mainly a lazy month for us all, and since we are busy during spring our home gets clogged with dust. Summer is a prime time for fevers and flu. Getting rid of every speck of dust possible should be on the checklist for those who have allergies and are prone to summer colds. 

A thorough cleanup is usually quicker and easier with a list, one room a day.  

DAY 1: KITCHEN  
The kitchen, sometimes also considered the heart of the house, contains a lot of elements – stove, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and sinks, not to mention all the pots and the pans, cookware and the dishes. The kitchen is usually a warmer place than the rest of the house considering that is where the stove is. The warmth mixed with all the cooking residue provides an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, which is why it's highly recommended to clean kitchens out regularly. 

An easy way to wipe out the whole kitchen is to take a complete day to sterilise each element one at a time, starting with the oil clogged stoves and slowly making your way to the countertops. 

If you are looking for a bit of change and not just cleanliness, try reorganising what you already possess. Opening up some shelves, showcasing your cookbooks, or fancy condiment canisters, while concealing pots and pans in other cabinets, and organising your pantry creates an untarnished and framed kitchen, not to mention it's free of cost.   

DAY 2: BATHROOM
A thorough clean-up of the bathtub, sink, and toilet should be the first approach to a clean hygienic bathroom, followed by scrubbing the tiled walls and floors and a change or wash of shower curtains. Excess water can at times get clogged in corners where mosquitoes grow and can lead to diseases. 

Taking a day to wipe all the bathrooms in the house should do the trick. Laying down a cotton rug, placing a woven basket for your toiletries or placing a succulent or other miniature potted plant on the counter can bring about an oasis feel to your bathroom. 

DAY 3: BEDROOMS 
This is the main chamber of your abode. It's where you are every morning, and it's where you go back to every night. Cleanliness and hygiene in this room is crucial. Objects that attract most dust here are the curtains and rugs. Since its summer, it's better to change to light airy fabrics for the drapes, and that too in light colours. 

Linens in muted pastels are a good combination to let in both light and air. Secondly, you should vacuum your carpets 

or rugs, as they attract a lot of dust every day. Of course, a thorough cleaning of dressers, bedding, closets or wardrobes should be done too, followed by fluffing pillows and flipping mattresses.   

DAY 4: LIVING ROOM 
If you own a couch with lots of pillows, chances are it's stuffed with more than foam and cotton. They accumulate tons of dust and should be cleaned often. Wooden or rattan furniture also catch dust, but a moderate amount and can be left longer than couches followed by dusting bookshelves, vacuuming carpets and all other textured fabric materials. It's a good idea to take things like mattresses, sofas and pillows up to the roof to dry out under the sun for a few hours too.

DAY 5: OTHERS 
Light fixtures, drapes, window blinds, rubbish bins, carpets, and rugs pretty much apply to all rooms. Sometimes cleaning is not enough, and changing a few things around the house can help us welcome summer heartily. 

Throw pillows are always a good idea, whatever room it may be. Bright patterns and crochet textures help add dimension to a room. Similarly, changing the drapes to lighter fabrics can help give a serene environment. 

Bookshelves need not carry books only; flower pots, gilded vases, or souvenirs scattered amongst books will look stylish yet personal. 

Storage is sometimes a barrier to a fresh aesthetic home. It is something to invest in; matching storage does not only clear clutter but look like an accent. Matching rattan boxes or storage benches help clear out excess clutter; out of sight, out of mind!

Bring summer indoors. Potted plants always help bring in a breath of fresh air into the home. Lush green foliage or bunches of flowers can be potted anywhere, from the kitchen to the living room to the bathroom, anywhere you want to bring in a little life. 

Five days and voila! Your home is as neat as a button. The main goal is to give a slight makeover and clean-up to your entire abode to help it embrace summer and help cut down the heat and diseases. Turn your home into a functional yet graceful sanctuary. 

By Anisha Hassan
Photo: LS Archive