A GUIDE TO YOUR ANNUAL BIG SPRING CLEAN

We have the perfect recipes for the finds in your freezer 12

Upcoming movies that are perfect for the month 11

It is a time of the year that equally excites and terrifies people up and down the country.

Movies March

SPORT stays longer 14 month, the clocks finally change. With this comes an abundance of light in the evenings, and on pages 4&5 we look at some of the most exciting things to do with the longer days. And with the days of hibernating away on the sofa in front of Netflix coming to an end, on pages 2&3 we have our guide to the big spring clean.we have three fantastic features for you this month. The first is a guide to unique garden furniture which will set you apart from the rest, the second is all about spring fashion, how to stay warm yet not to warm, while being stylish at the same time, and the third is our usual monthly gardening guide.

To top this all off, we have an in-depth guide to Cheltenham Festival, and a whole host of top recipes to create from leftovers in your freezer!

So, grab a glass of vino, head to your favourite garden spot, and enjoy this month’s magazine.

Jonathan Wheatley Editor

Spring is a fantastic time of the year when many of us will be filled with new-found inspiration and eagerness for a fresh beginning. Before you can look at new ventures in terms of relationships, work or self-benefit, consider taking part in the annual ‘big spring clean’ that many households complete annually. Booking out a day or weekend of your year to give your entire home a good scrub can be a fantastic way to have not only a sparkling house, but can also give our minds and souls an enormous boost. It is stated that completing cleaning tasks can produce endorphins, which drop stress levels, improve our ability to sleep and boost our overall mood. Here is a bumper guide to your big spring clean.

Bedroom

Having a fresh and clean bedroom to go to sleep in and wake up in every day can be a fantastic first step to help your home feel less cluttered and more tidy. Starting your day off right in a tidy and clean bedroom can give your mood a boost from the second you wake up. There are plenty of chores you can make sure you get done this spring in the bedroom. As the adage states, sometimes you have to make a mess in order to get tidy, so start by emptying any clothing drawers and wardrobes. Take this opportunity to clean down the inside of the drawers and doors as these are regularly missed during a routine clean. Before putting your clothes back away, have an organise and remove any clothing that no longer fits, is damaged or you will not wear again. If you haven’t worn a piece of clothing in the last year, then you are unlikely to need it in the future. You could pack away thick winter clothing and rotate this with your thinner and sunfriendly clothing ready for the warmer months ahead. Now, you can flip your mattress, change the bedding, and dust down light fittings and ceiling fans. Wipe down any door knobs and light switches and wash window sills and skirting boards, before using the vacuum and shampooing carpet or mopping hard floors.

Main Living Areas

The main living areas of our home are typically the spaces we like to keep clean the most, therefore are more likely to keep on top of throughout the year, however there are some odd jobs which you may have forgotten. Always start your clean by fully opening the windows, to get the air circulating around the room. If you have curtains, take them down and put them on a wash - typically a gentle cycle using cool or lukewarm water is recommended. Give ceiling fans and other light fittings a good dust, before vacuuming down sofas and chairs, including removing the cushions and doing this underneath. Lamps, shades, furniture and shelves should all be given a good clean, while television systems and wires should be removed, untangled and fully dusted behind. Vacuum throughout the room and shampoo carpets, if applicable.

Kitchen

Another room where hygiene and cleaning is important throughout the year is the kitchen. This is prominent as many of our homes these days centre around the kitchen, as it is a great space to entertain guests. For your kitchen’s spring clean, consider emptying your drawers and cupboards, wiping down fully before placing items and food back in, organising and removing clutter throughout. The outside doors, knobs and light switches need to be cleaned down. Ovens and stoves can get dirty as each of us use them most days, so spend a decent amount of time cleaning these. Next, clean down any countertop appliance you may have, including kettles, toasters, microwaves, air fryers and coffee machines. Have a root through your freezer and remove any foods you will not use and plan out some meals to use up frozen meat and vegetables. Clean out your larger appliances, such as dishwashers and laundry units, including removing lint traps, cleaning the inside of doors and the compartments for tablets and liquid. If you can, pull out any appliances and give the floor behind a good scrub.

Bathooms

There are also plenty of jobs that should be done in the bathrooms of your home. Empty and wipe down any cabinets you have. This is also a great time to organise shampoos, conditioners and the various lotions and potions you have collected, before putting them back away. Wipe down mirrors and their frames, while also sanitising your sink. Clean and drain the bathtub, scrub both the inside and outside of the toilet, including the hinges and bolt covers. Sweep and mop the flooring and consider adding extra seal to any grout lines if needed.