Tips to spring clean the home and community

Spruce up the home

Spring is the prime season to embark on a deep clean of the house and blow away the winter cobwebs, and it will be made all the easier by getting rid of the accumulated clutter first. Decisions need to be made on what to keep, what to donate to charity or share on apps such as Olio or Nextdoor. Vinted is great for clothes, as it doesn’t charge a commission on what you sell. If you need a bit of help with the clearing-up process, Change Your Space, a company based in Exmouth, offers a professional decluttering service that may be worth a try. Owner Jasmine Sleigh and her team offer an additional pair of hands to help you organise your home to create extra space.

It's a great time to spring clean the home

Once the home is clutter-free, it's time to give the place a thorough cleanse. If the rooms need a lift, it might be time to bite the bullet and get the decorators in, unless you’re proficient enough to tackle it yourself. However, for those jobs that most people dislike, such as oven and window cleaning, paying for professional help could be worth every penny. Spick and Span Ovens, an oven cleaning specialist based in Sidmouth, can help to restore an oven, aga, microwave and even a BBQ to a tip-top condition. And as for windows, DL Clean Windows, an Exmouth based professional window cleaning company that covers most of East Devon, can help wipe away those glassy streaks illuminated by the springtime sunshine.

Spring cleaning the community

Once the house is in check, you might want to help tidy up your local community with a local group, such as Honiton Litter Pickers. The environment-friendly group was started in 2021 by a few residents in the market town and has now expanded with 200 followers and volunteers who are determined to restore natural beauty and pride back into the urban area.

Rubbish leaves its mark on wildlife Picture: Honiton Litter Pickers

One of the group's leaders, Rob Waldron, said: "Honiton is surrounded by beautiful countryside full of lush plants and amazing wildlife, yet the town itself is riddled with nature's biggest enemy – litter and fly-tipping."

Rob explains some areas of the town are taking several weeks to clear, with the cleaning-up group regularly filling bags with empty drink cans, bottles and plastic food packaging. Some sites require several return visits to keep them litter free.

Rob added: "Our goal is simple – to decrease the amount of littering occurring in our town and to be recognised as one of the cleanest towns in the South West. But we need your help and everyone can do their bit. We are asking residents to be mindful of litter. Think rubbish ­– don’t just chuck it, bin it instead."

Honiton Litter Pickers is hoping local businesses and retailers will support its cause by managing the littering in their domains and promoting the group's message. To get involved, email: honitonlittepickers@gmail.com or visit the group's Facebook page.