Is your home ready for spring yet? In our spring cleaning challenge, we help you get your house all cleaned up in seven days. Read on for our best tips!

Day 1: The kitchen

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It's time to give your kitchen a thorough overhaul and make sure everything is clean and organised again. Let's get started!

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9:00-11:00

The first step is to empty your fridge and throw away food that is past its expiry date. Take out all the food and unplug it to clean the fridge.

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Break

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12:00-14:00

Now is the time to thoroughly clean the kitchen. Here, it is important that you use the right products for the right purposes.

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• The fridge

For the inside of the fridge, you can use a cleaning mixture of water and vinegar. If you don't have vinegar in the house, you can use an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner such as those from Marcel’s Green Soap or SophieGreen. Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas. Dry the fridge with a clean cloth and replace the food. Clean the outside with a damp cloth.

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• The microwave

Maak je magnetron schoon door water met citroen te mengen en dit in de magnetron te sprayen. Plaats vervolgens een vochtige spons met het mengsel in de magnetron en laat het 2 minuten draaien. Gebruik de spons om de binnenkant schoon te maken en gebruik een antibacteriële spray voor de buitenkant.

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• The stove

To sustainably clean your cooker, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread the mixture on the dirty spots and let it soak in for a while. Then wipe it off with a damp cloth. For stubborn dirt, you can use an old toothbrush again.

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Break

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15:00-17:00

Time to take care of your kitchen appliances! Consider selling appliances you no longer use through websites such as Marktplaats or donate to the local thrift shop.

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Tip: You can also have these devices collected from your home with the Byewaste service. This way, you give unused items a second life and free up space in the kitchen.

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Did you know that...

• If you buy new kitchen appliances or white goods from IKEA and have them delivered, you can have the old appliances taken back free of charge? There is no extra charge for this.
• Wecycle annually collects and recycles more than 100 million kilograms of electronic waste in the Netherlands, including old kitchen appliances?

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Well done! You have completed the first day of the Spring Cleaning Challenge. Tomorrow we will continue with Day 2: The hallway and living room.

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Day 2: The hallway and living room

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Welcome to day 2 of our spring cleaning challenge! Today, we're focusing on the hallway and living room.

‍10:00-11:00

Start by sorting out all the cupboards, drawers and bins in the hallway and living room. Take time to look critically at all the things you have stored there and decide what can go and what should stay. Consider old coats, decorations that no longer fit your style or other items that are gathering dust.‍

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11:00-12:00

Now that you have gotten rid of all the unnecessary stuff, it is time to clean all the surfaces. Use an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar to clean tables, cupboards and other furniture. Also don't forget to wipe down doorknobs and light switches, as these are often forgotten but used frequently.

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12:00-13:00

After this, it's time to shine the floors. First, use a hoover or broom to remove dust and dirt from the floors and furniture. Then go through them with the mop.

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Break

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14:00-15:00

Now that you've recharged your energy, it's time to clean the windows. Use a mixture of water, all-purpose cleaner and a drop of dish soap to clean the windows and dry them with a chamois for a streak-free result. Still see some streaks? Then polish these away with an old newspaper.

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15:00-16:00

Finally, add some greenery to the living room. Houseplants not only purify the air in your home, but are also a wonderful decorative addition. Here are some examples of houseplants you can put in the living room.

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Thanks for joining our spring cleaning challenge! Tomorrow we continue with Day 3: The bedroom.

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Day 3: The bedroom

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Welcome to day 3 of the spring cleaning challenge! Did you know that on average we spend about a third of our lives sleeping? Therefore, it is important to have a clean and fresh bedroom.

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8:30-12:00

Start by dusting the furniture, cleaning the windows and airing the room. Vacuum and mop the floors - including the area under your bed. Wash your bedding and reupholster the bed. Here, you can also wash the duvet and pillows yourself for an extra fresh result.

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Break

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13:00-17:00

In the afternoon, it's time to clear out your wardrobe. Take everything out and assess what you want to keep and what can go. Donate or sell clothes you no longer wear and store the rest neatly. You'll be amazed how much space you can create this way!

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Tip: Choose bedding and clothing made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton or bamboo. These materials are not only better for the environment, but also for your skin and health. This is how to turn your bedroom into an oasis of peace and sustainability!

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Thanks for joining our spring cleaning challenge! Tomorrow we continue with Day 4: The bathroom.

Day 4: The bathroom

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Welcome to day 4 of the spring cleaning challenge. Go through the following steps to make your bathroom feel like new again. Let's get started!

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9:00-11:00

Begin by dusting the bathroom furniture and cleaning the mirrors and windows. Next, thoroughly clean the shower, bathtub, sink and toilet. Use a descaler for the taps and shower heads to prevent limescale. Replace old towels and flannels to create a fresh look.

Tip: Consider using natural cleaning products for an eco-friendly and healthy bathroom. Vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are good alternatives to chemical cleaners. Alternatively, opt for sustainable alternatives such as bathroom soap from Planet Detox or cleaning soap from Werfzeep.

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Break

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13:00-14:00

Take time to clear out the medicine cabinets and cosmetics drawers. Throw away expired products and those you no longer use. Remember to dispose of medicines properly according to the instructions on the packaging.

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Break

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17:00-18:00

Make sure to clean the floor thoroughly with a mop or steam cleaner. Don't forget to include all corners and edges. If necessary, also put down some air fresheners to spread a fresh scent in the bathroom.

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Thanks for joining our spring cleaning challenge! Tomorrow we will continue with Day 5: The office.

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Day 5: The office

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Welcome to day 5 of the spring cleaning challenge. Today we focus on tidying and cleaning our office.

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13:00-14:00

Begin by sorting the papers in your workspace. Make piles of documents you need to keep, throw away or scan. Consider setting up a digital filing system to reduce your paper clutter and save time in the future. Throw away any papers you no longer need and keep the important documents in a safe place.

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14:00-15:00

Clean your keyboard, mouse and monitor. Use a microfibre cloth and detergent to remove fingerprints and smudges. Make sure you remove all dust and dirt from your desk to create a clean working environment.

Tip: Choose reusable cloths like those from ImseVimse for simple tasks - like dusting surfaces - and wash them afterwards. Most of the waste during cleaning comes from disposable paper towels. An alternative is to buy compostable cleaning wipes, such as those from EcoLiving. These wipes can break down in an environmentally friendly way after use, making them a more sustainable choice than traditional cleaning wipes.

15:00-16:00

Lastly, clean your office supplies and donate the broken or unused items. Organise your desk and drawers and get rid of any unnecessary items that take up unnecessary space. This will prevent your workspace from becoming overcrowded. In fact, when you have a tidy working environment, it is a lot easier to focus.

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Thanks for joining our spring cleaning challenge! Tomorrow we continue with Day 6: The garage.

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Day 6: The garage

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Welcome to day 6 of the spring cleaning challenge. Today we are going to work in the garage. The garage is often a place where we store a lot of stuff and where clutter easily accumulates.

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8:00-11:00

Start by cleaning up the garage by throwing away or donating stuff you no longer need. Sort the (gardening) tools and clean each item before putting them back in storage. When doing this, think of a layout that works for you. If necessary, use storage bins, shelves and toolboxes to keep everything neat and tidy.

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Break

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13:00-16:00

Clean the garage floor by removing dust and dirt. Use a pressure washer for quick and efficient cleaning. Note: Make sure you take proper safety precautions when using a pressure washer.

Tip: If there are oil or grease stains on the floor, you can use cat litter to remove them. Cat litter has absorbency and can help soak up the stains. Just make sure you do this only for relatively new stains. Old stains are often harder to remove and may need professional cleaning.

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Thanks for joining our spring cleaning challenge! Tomorrow we continue with Day 7: The attic.

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Day 7: The attic

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Welcome to the last day of the spring cleaning challenge. Today it's time to tackle the attic. This space is still sometimes skipped, but that only makes the job bigger!

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9:00-11:00

Begin by sorting stuff in the attic. Make separate piles for the things you want to keep, donate or throw away. Remember to check and destroy old papers and documents if they are no longer needed.

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11:00-12:00

Use a broom or hoover to remove dust and dirt from the attic floor. Remember to clean all the nooks and crannies, as dust and cobwebs are often found there.

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12:00-13:00

Use the hoover or a mop to clean the floor. If the attic has upholstery or carpet, a steam cleaner may come in handy.

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Break

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14:00-15:00

Clean the windows with a soapy water and dry them with a clean cloth or squeegee. Don't forget to clean the window frames and window sills too.

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15:00-17:00

At last, it's time to sort and label all the storage boxes and bins. This will help you easily find things back when you need them. Besides providing you with an orderly storage system, this also ensures that your things are protected from dust and moisture.

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Congratulations, you have completed the spring cleaning challenge! Thanks for participating, we hope you got something out of our tips.

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Read more spring cleaning tips here.‍

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