Chinese New Year: Spring Cleaning Guide

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Chinese New Year is approaching again, which means it's time to get ready for the annual cleaning tradition. But for busy city dwellers, the prospect of deep-cleaning their homes can be daunting. This time, in addition to outlining the top three areas to focus on, the renovation experts will also reveal some often-overlooked spots. For those who want to make the most of their cleaning efforts, it's essential to learn about some handy household cleaning tools that can significantly boost efficiency and save time and energy.

Chinese New Year Cleaning: Washing Machine

Your washing machine works tirelessly every week to clean your family's laundry, and some households may even use it daily. Over time, the machine can accumulate residue from detergents, fabric softeners, dirt, and even bacteria.

How to Clean Your Washing Machine: Use a Washing Machine Drum Cleaner

There are now many drum cleaning agents on the market that make it easy and effective to clean your washing machine. Some brands are even made in Germany, ensuring the removal of detergent and softener residue from the machine and pipes, reducing unpleasant odors caused by such residue, and prolonging the life of your appliance. The usage instructions are straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps. However, it's important to note that the methods for using a front-loading washing machine (also known as a "big-eye" machine) and a top-loading washing machine (with a liftable lid) differ slightly. Refer to the steps below for guidance.

Front-loading washing machine:

• Empty the drum and pour an entire box of special cleaning agent directly into the washing drum.
• Close the washing machine lid, adjust to the highest temperature, and clean the drum using the washing tub cleaning mode.
• If stains remain in the drum after cleaning, repeat the previous step.

Top-loading washing machine:

• Fill the washing drum with warm water at 40-50°C.
• Pour an entire box of special cleaning agent into the drum and stir for 10 minutes to dissolve the powder.
• Soak the washing machine for about 60-90 minutes (do not soak for too long to avoid mechanical failure).
• After soaking, manually remove the stains, and then drain the dirty water.
• Run the washing machine empty using the standard washing mode (it is recommended to use the slowest spin speed to avoid consuming the motor life).

3 places you can't ignore

In addition to the drum, you can't cut corners when cleaning other parts of the washing machine. The following are three places that are most easily overlooked when cleaning a washing machine:

• Detergent box
• Gasket
• Drain pump

The 28th Day of the 12th Month: Cleaning the Refrigerator

Cleaning the refrigerator may seem simple, but it requires some planning and preparation to ensure a smooth and effective cleaning process, both inside and out.

Preparation:

Before embarking on a deep clean, it's best to do the following:

1. Plan the Best Time to Clean the Refrigerator:

Schedule your cleaning session in advance. It's recommended to eat through most of your food and temporarily pause restocking before the clean, to ensure as much space as possible in the refrigerator.

2. Create Temporary Storage Space for Food:

Since you'll need to empty the refrigerator, it's helpful to create additional space elsewhere to temporarily store the food from your fridge.

3. Turn Off the Power:

Before cleaning, turn off the refrigerator to avoid any potential electrical issues during the cleaning process.

How to Properly Clean the Refrigerator:

1. Remove and Soak Shelves and Drawers:

Most refrigerator shelves and drawers are made of plastic or glass. After turning off the power, do not immediately remove them and wash with hot water, as the drastic temperature change can cause unnecessary cracks or damage. Instead, wait until the internal temperature of the refrigerator matches the room temperature, then remove all shelves and drawers and soak them in warm water in a zinc basin.

2. Clean the Shelves and Drawers:

Once the stains on the shelves and drawers have been softened, use a refrigerator-specific cleaning agent to thoroughly clean them. This agent effectively cleans the interior and exterior of the refrigerator, removing odors. It's also suitable for other kitchen appliances and surfaces. Simply wipe it down and let it dry.

3. Clean the Interior of the Refrigerator:

Use the same refrigerator-specific cleaning agent to spray the interior of the refrigerator, ensuring that you get into every corner, especially areas with sticky stains. Then, close the refrigerator door and let the agent work its magic. After a while, use a damp fiber cloth to wipe away any grime stuck to the inner walls.

4. Wait for the shelves and drawers to dry and reinstall them

Once the shelves and drawers are dry, reinstall them back into the refrigerator.

5. Clean the exterior of the refrigerator

Spray a specialized cleaning agent on the exterior of the refrigerator, and then wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth. Don't forget to clean the handles, edges, and door seals.

6. Restart the refrigerator

Once the interior of the refrigerator is completely dry, you can restart it. After the refrigerator has returned to its normal temperature, you can put the food back inside.

Read more: 3 clever tips to make your small home feel bigger during your spring cleaning!

Chinese New Year Cleaning: Walls

When it comes to spring cleaning, walls can be one of the most challenging areas to tackle. Stains on the walls are often quite noticeable and can be a real eyesore. Mold on the walls is even more troublesome, as it may indicate a long-standing issue that hasn't been properly addressed. Here are some methods and tips for cleaning painted and wallpapered walls.

Painting Walls

Paint walls are more noticeable when stained, but be extra careful when cleaning to avoid damaging the paint.

Dust/Stain Removal Tools

For light stains, use a feather duster or a small vacuum cleaner with a brush head to remove surface dust. When cleaning dirt off walls, opt for fiber cloths or sponges with soapy water, gently wiping away the stains while avoiding excessive water to prevent paint bubbling or peeling.

Anti-Mildew Solution for Painted Surfaces

Painted walls are prone to mildew when exposed to moisture, which is a common headache in humid Hong Kong. If mildew appears, start by removing surface mildew with a dry cloth, then use anti-mildew solution designed for painted surfaces. This type of solution effectively removes mildew while preserving the paint color and integrity of the wall.

Mold-resistant water for painted surfaces How to use:

• Use a damp cloth to wipe away dust, dirt, and mold.
• No need to dilute, spray directly onto the mold from a distance of 30cm (if using on high areas such as the ceiling, spray onto a cloth first and then wipe).
• Wait for 10 minutes, then wipe away any remaining mold with a cloth.

There are also mold-resistant waters available on the market that can be used on both painted surfaces and wallpaper. The usage method is similar. This type of professional mold-resistant water not only effectively kills and removes mold but also prevents mold from growing back.

Directions for use: No need to dilute, simply spray directly onto walls with mold growth. Wait for 5-10 minutes, then wipe away the mold with a cloth or sponge. No rinsing is required. It's that easy!

Wallpapered walls

In addition to using professional anti-mold solution to remove mold, there are a few things to keep in mind when cleaning wallpaper stains:

• For yellowed wallpaper, use a cloth dampened with a small amount of bleach to wipe it down (test on a small area first to avoid damaging the color or material of the wallpaper, and if the results are satisfactory, proceed to use it on a larger area).
• For paper or fabric-based wallpaper: Avoid using water or a wet cloth. Try using a rubber eraser to remove stains.
• For colored wallpaper with oil stains, place an absorbent paper over the stain and sprinkle with talcum powder. Then, gently iron over it to remove the stain.
• For plastic wallpaper: Spray a small amount of cleaner and wipe it off with a cloth.

Get ready for the big spring clean with our range of cleaning helpers »

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