Lynsey Crombie, known as the Queen of Clean, has shared her top tips for tackling the post-Christmas mess. The ITV This Morning home expert advises taking a systematic approach to banish the chaos after the festive season.
Start by packing decorations away by zone – tree ornaments in one box, mantel decorations in another – and label everything clearly. Donate any decorations you haven't used in years to reduce dust next year. For real or faux trees, use a vacuum nozzle attachment to get into corners, and if dealing with glitter, stretch old tights over the nozzle to prevent clogging.
After vacuuming, mop or steam clean floors to restore shine. For extra freshness, add one drop of essential oil to the steam mop pad. When presents are opened, put new gifts away immediately to prevent clutter. To revive sofas, mix bicarbonate of soda with essential oil, sprinkle on soft furnishings, leave for an hour, then vacuum and air the room.
Tackle the fridge by removing everything, binning leftover food, and wiping shelves with warm soapy water. Place a slice of lemon inside for natural odour control. Freeze any excess cheese. For kitchen counters, spray with multipurpose cleaner, work from top to bottom, and finish with a hot cloth wipe-down.
Finally, for bathrooms that have seen heavy use, light a fresh candle, open a window for ten minutes, and play a soothing playlist. Lynsey, author of 'The 15 Minute Clean', says a clean January sets the tone for the year.
