The Good Housekeeping Institute has compiled a list of tasks that you can do and then leave for a whole 12 months meaning the endless cycle of cleaning could soon be a distant memory.
From washing your curtains to emptying the “man drawer”, they’re the once-a-year jobs that everybody loathes but to make things easier, the domestic gurus have come up with labour-saving tips for each one too.
A spokesman said: “If you feel like as soon as you finish washing, dusting and vacuuming your house, you have to tackle it all over again, you`ll love this list.
”Everything on it only has to be completed once a year. Yes, that means that once you`ve ticked them off the list, you don`t have to do a darn thing for another whole year.“
Wipe down the window frames
To complete this task the GHI experts recommend that you start by using a brush to sweep off dirt around the frame. Next, use washing-up liquid or a multi-purpose spray cleaner to remove any stubborn grime.
Purge your kitchen drawer (also known as the ”man drawer“)
Whether we like to admit it or not we all have one; it’s the hodgepodge Narnia where miscellaneous items are stashed when there is nowhere else to put them. Luckily, you only need to clear it out once a year and the experts recommend you re-evaluate what you`ve collected and decide what you don`t need anymore.
According to experts, you only need to clean your windoe frames once a year.
Wipe your lightbulbs
This applies particularly to those in the kitchen and bathroom which can get especially dusty and it’s incredible just how much light this cuts out. To clean yours, switch off, unscrew and wipe with a damp cloth, but make sure to stay well away from the screw or bayonet end.
Wash your curtains
Curtains aren’t the easiest things to take down but thankfully it’s a once-a-year jobbie. The GHI experts suggest you pop them in the washing matching or take them to your local dry cleaner to eradicate any dust build up.
Blitz the fireplace
If you’re lucky enough to have a real fire place at home chances are you’ve been tempted of late to light it up but before you do so make sure to give it a good clean. For this one, it’s recommended to get the professionals in.
Deep clean upholstered furniture
Fabric sofas and dining chairs are a magnet for dust and grime so cleaning them once a year will kep them in tip-top shape. Vacuum thoroughly, wash or dry-clean loose covers and if they cannot be removed have them cleaned professionally.
Wipe down outdoor furniture
This is probably one best reserved for warmer climes as it’s unlikely you’ll be partaking in many outdoor bashes in the coming months. When the time comes, add a squirt of washing-up liquid to a bowl of warm water, and then wipe down tables and chairs with a damp cloth. To finish it all off give them a spray of water from the garden hose.
Deep clean your carpet
This one requires hiring a carpet cleaner, such as a RugDoctor to make sure you really get into the nooks and crannies. If your carpet is really stained though, the GHI experts say you shouldn’t expect miravles. Instead, you might need to consider rearranging the furniture or investing in a strategically placed rug.
Empty your gutters
Every now and then your gutters need a good clean and luckily it’s as seldom as once a year. First, give gutters a scrub with a stiff brush, then invest in a gutter brush. Water can still flow freely along the gutters but the brush will stop leaves from getting stuck in your pipes and blocking them.
9 household chores you only need to do once a year
01 November 2016
Read: 1938
If you hate spending your weekends doing housework then listen up, because experts have revealed the nine chores that only need to be done once a year.
