Being the household advice editor, you’d think I know everything there is to know about cleaning, but I’m not there yet – and I certainly can’t compare myself to my mum, who is the Queen of Clean in her own right. From the moment she gets up, there’s a strict routine she follows to keep everything just so. You’d struggle to find a piece of clutter or a speck of dust in that household, and you have to admire it.
In short, she adores cleaning, but funnily enough, she also loves gardening; a messy hobby for someone who seemingly hates dirt! When I questioned her about it, she pointed out that her garden gets just as much attention as her home, and she holds it to the same standard. I asked her to elaborate, and she laid down exactly how she keeps such a messy space so pristine.
1. Always clean the greenhouse in the early autumn
My mum makes a point of cleaning her greenhouse once a year in the early autumn.
‘The greenhouse is mostly empty at this time of year because the majority of the plants are out in the garden, so there’s less effort to get it ready for cleaning. Cleaning it in the early autumn also improves the light in the greenhouse throughout winter, when the sun is lower, which is beneficial for my plants.
‘Once empty, I wash the windows, outside and in, using a mild solution of Jeyes Fluid Outdoor Cleaner (diluted 1 part solution to 20 parts water), applying it with a large sponge, similar to the ones designed for car cleaning. You could always use soapy water instead, but Jeyes Fluid sterilises, which is preferable. I also use an old toothbrush to work the solution into the edges and corners. I then rinse the solution away with a hose – don’t use a pressure washer as that may shatter the glass – and I leave the door open as it dries. You can also use Jeyes fluid to wipe down any shelves, while mildew can be removed from paving slabs with a stiff brush.’
Make sure to wear the relevant protective gear if you’re using a cleaning solution which sterilises, including gloves, a mask and eye goggles (in case it splashes back). My mum also emphasises that a small step ladder or a telescopic brush can help if you struggle to reach the top and helps if you need to clear the gutter, too.
2. A dustpan brush is best for cleaning plant pots
We soon collect a shocking amount of plant pots – plastic and terracotta alike. But with disease potentially lingering in the soil left behind, what’s the best way to clean and store them?
‘First, I always inspect for cracks and chips; if there’s any damage, I repurpose where I can, perhaps as extra containers around the home or chips can be used to stop soil from falling out of drainage holes. I then bang the soil out of plastic pots and use the brush from a dustpan set to clear the remaining dirt. Whereas for heavy terracotta, I place it on the lawn, carefully tip it onto its side and use the same brush from there to sweep it out. I then sterilise the pots, rinse well and stand them out on the lawn to dry upturned.’
To sterilise a plant pot, GH recommends first washing the dirt away with soapy water, followed by soaking it in a 1-part bleach to 9-part water solution for 10 minutes, then rinsing. Keep the solution cold though to avoid the one mistake you’re making with bleach.
‘When storing terracotta pots, I also put a folded thick layer of newspaper between each pot so they don’t stick together and crack as I pull them apart. You don’t need to worry about that with plastic pots though.’
3. Spray dusty garage floors with water before you sweep
The garage is never going to be spotless, but my mum’s is so clean that she hangs her washing in there. So, it can’t be cluttered, dusty, or full of spiders. Here’s how she does it:
‘To keep spiders out, I generally keep the room clean, dry and tidy, washing the windows for lots of light and visiting it at least once a day to maintain it. I use an extendable brush to clear any fresh cobwebs and use a non-toxic spider repellent spray to deter them. You can buy spider catchers if one gets past all that.
‘The floor gets very dusty in the garage. Before you sweep this up, I recommend dampening it first to prevent it from whipping up into the air and breathing it in. I put a fine spray of water on the floor using my watering can with a fine rose on the end. Then, you’re good to sweep and it will clump together. It’s still best to wear a mask if there’s lots of dust though, and ventilate the room.
‘Keep an eye on what’s stored long-term in the garage and remove it as needed. Paint typically lasts 1-2 years once opened and needs to be safely disposed of. Fertiliser, motor oil and pesticides should all be sealed on a high shelf.’
When decluttering a garage, generally best practice is to remove everything at once, then categorise and remove any duplicates or damaged items. Then, you can start to sort into what to keep, donate and sell before you start to return items. Check out the 5 steps to declutter your garage for more info.
4. Remember to lubricate any tools with a hinge
My mum has had the same garden tools for years and emphasises that they can last a lifetime if you take good care of them.
‘After each use, I generally brush the dirt off my tools, then clean and rinse in soapy water and dry thoroughly to prevent rust. But if I’ve cut back a diseased plant, I also take a moment to disinfect it before I continue cutting so I don’t spread it.
‘Any tools with a hinge, like secateurs, pruners and shears, get spritzed and wiped over with WD-40 once a year, or as needed to keep them moving. When the blades eventually dull, a whetstone is a reliable way to sharpen them back up, but you can get them professionally sharpened if you’re unsure of how to do this; some garden centres even offer occasional tool sharpening services on certain dates.’
If your tools develop rust, you can use a wire brush and an oily rag to remove it. Keeping your tools stored in a dry, ventilated space can stop rust from developing. Check out the GHI’s best secateurs and best gardening gloves if you need a replacement.
5. Always check the weather before you put out garden furniture
Garden furniture is hardy, but when exposed to the elements for a prolonged time, it will start to show wear and tear, not to mention grime. Here’s how my mum keeps hers looking as good as the day she purchased it:
‘I always check the weather before I put the cushions out on the chairs in the morning, and then I put them away again each night. They’re generally only out if I know they’re going to get used because I don’t want to risk birds defecating on them. Should the worst happen, they can always be spot-cleaned with soapy water, but I want to keep moisture exposure to a minimum to help them last. Chairs are stacked and put away through the heavy rain as well as through the winter.
‘For the aluminium metal frame, soapy water and a microfibre cloth generally do the trick, but a toothbrush also comes in handy for reaching awkward crevices. The same can be said for plastic furniture, but I would position that out of the sun where you can to prevent fading as it soon looks worn.’
If you’re dealing with hardwood furniture, such as mahogany, cedar, oak or teak, a quick wipe with teak oil twice annually will maintain the colour. But softwood, such as pine, elm and beech, will need preservative applying and then varnishing.
Garden cleaning essentials
