Resource Cumbria : Resource guides : Seasonal advice : Spring

Spring is the time of year for a good clean and clear out. It's the perfect time to be waste aware. Don't forget the old phrase one man's junk is another man's treasure. Before you throw anything away think how it could be reused.

That book you've finished could be swapped with a friend for one they're finished with
Those old magazines could be donated to a doctor's surgery
And of course there are lots charities that which will gladly accept your old clothes, books, CDs, DVDs and many other items
Remember that even worn out clothes and textiles are still useful to charities as they can sell them for recycling and reuse, raising valuable funds. Simply donate the items to a shop or textile collection bank
Items of furniture and appliances in good working order can be donated to local charities such as Impact Furniture Services or Age UK
Broken appliances and electrical goods should be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. Find your nearest site here

And just because you're having a good clean doesn't mean you have to waste money on expensive and over packaged cleaners. Try these cleaning methods using the everyday items you'll already have in your cupboard:

Dust surfaces with baking soda, then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth

If your tiles are greasy use lemon juice or vinegar - natures degreasers. Clean grout with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. Lemon juice is a natural lightener and baking soda is a natural scourer and odour absorber

Instead of bleach, make your own disinfectant by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil

Clean worktops by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste to smear on stains and let it sit for a while before you remove it. This method also works well for stainless steel sinks, chopping boards, food containers, refrigerators, hobs and more

To knock out germs without strong products, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray or rub on worktops and other kitchen surfaces

You can make your stainless steel shine by cleaning it with olive oil on a damp cloth

Remove stains in mugs by leaving denture tablets to soak in the mug

Cover oven grease with salt when warm. After the oven cools, just sweep it up

Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, don gloves and scour off that grime. Make it spotless with a moist cloth

To make your windows and mirrors sparkle try using 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar per 4 litres of water as a cleaning solution. And reusing old newspaper acts as an excellent alternative to kitchen towel

If you're out of vinegar or don't like its smell, you can substitute undiluted lemon juice

Take any removable rugs outside and beat the dust and hair out with a broom

Make your own carpet spot cleaner by mixing: 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on and then rinse with vinegar

To deodorise, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet or rug, using about 1 cup per medium-sized room. Vacuum after leaving for 30 minutes

Line your sink or a bucket with aluminium foil, and drop in tarnished silver. Pour in boiling water, a cup of baking soda and a dash of salt. Let sit for a few minutes. The tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil

If you can't immerse your items or are otherwise inclined to polish by hand, rub tarnished silver with toothpaste and a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry. Instead of toothpaste you can substitute a concoction made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water

Our ancestors used sunshine extensively in their spring cleaning efforts. After washing, hang your duvet and blankets outside to dry. If an item can't be washed, you can hang it and beat out as much dust as possible with a stick. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun kills many germs and bacteria, so sunshine can be used to sanitise both hard and soft surfaced items. Keep in mind that the UV light may be absorbed by the material and cause color changes or fading