SPRING is here and it’s time to do that annual spruce indoors and out. Here are some tips to make carrying out those dull chores easier. For dusting, get a long-handled duster (or wrap a microfibre cloth around the bristles of a broom) and sweep along the top of walls and around any cornices to get rid of dust and cobwebs.

Get the vacuum cleaner and set suction to low so you can clean over curtains, the tops of doors, sofas, chairs, cushions and skirting boards. Pull out furniture to make sure you get rid of dust lurking behind.

Get a damp cloth and a dry microfibre cloth. Take everything off all surfaces (only do one area at a time) and wipe over with the damp cloth to clean away dust.

Rinse out the cloth and repeat to ensure the surface is clean. Buff dry with microfibre cloth. Do the same to all objects before they go back.

There’s no need to use cleaning products as the wet wipe and dry microfibre cleans and shines everything – including silver picture frames.

Clean mirrors and picture glass, as well as TV and computer screens, with the same damp cloth and dry microfibre cloth, before finishing with windows. Keep rinsing your cleaning cloth, or replace it if it gets dirty or ragged. Have a spare microfibre to hand if it gets too damp.

Clean off any stubborn marks on paintwork with a little scouring cream and wash away thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth. Now vacuum the floor.

If you have rugs, take them outside and shake. If you have hard floors, vacuum or sweep, then clean. If you have carpet, use a cleaning spray on any dirty marks and then vacuum on full suction power.

Bathrooms should always shine, especially as they’re often the first room we see in the morning. It’s easy to get rid of unsightly mildew or mould. Just paint bleach on any mildewed areas using an old toothbrush. Leave for about three hours while bleach kills the mildew off. Before rinsing bleach away, scrub some of the mildew with the toothbrush to check it will come away easily. If not, leave longer, otherwise wipe away bleach with a disposable cloth then clean with plenty of water. Dry thoroughly.

To get super shiny taps, mix the juice of half a lemon with a teaspoon of bicarb. Apply solution with a toothbrush so you get in all the nooks and crannies. Rinse with water, buff dry with a microfibre cloth and taps will sparkle.

In the kitchen, bring a floor back to its best by doing a ‘hands and knees’ clean to remove ingrained dirt that mops just don’t touch. Sweep the floor first, then in a bowl mix up a solution of a juice of half a lemon, one cup of white vinegar and one cup of warm water. Get another bowl of warm water and a couple of cloths.

Wring the cloth out well so it is slightly damp then put it in the lemon and vinegar solution, squeeze out excess and get scrubbing. If you have a wooden floor, add two teaspoons of olive oil to the mix. Alternate the cloths; leave the dirty one to soak in the bowl while you use the other.