Cleaning has never been so stylish

Blow away the cobwebs and clear the clutter, it’s spring clean time. Gabrielle Fagan looks at the top cleaning kit.

It seems a cruel trick of fate that just as the weather starts to improve, the annual indoor ritual of spring cleaning appears on the calendar.

Most of us just ignore it, according to a survey by Rentokil, who found only 14 per cent of people nowadays follow the tradition, and Merry Maids domestic cleaning service have also discovered most people rarely enjoy their housework.

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But you can take small comfort from the fact that cleaning equipment’s been given a snazzy makeover.

Boring brooms are so yesterday – instead you can sweep up with a wizard-looking one splattered with coloured spots, or clean with vintage pieces reminiscent of the Upstairs Downstairs life.

Cute kit may not take the pain out of drudgery but at least you’ll be fashionably embracing chore chic.

GIRLY SPRITZING: If you love wearing a pinny and delicately flicking a duster, but rolling up your sleeves and getting out the scrubbing brush really isn’t for you then clean obvious, on-show areas such as windows for a fast effect. Barbara Roberts of Merry Maids says: “For a good shine, dilute one part vinegar to four parts water, and use a microfibre cloth to clean off. For a good shine, buff the windows with crumpled newspaper.”

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Take a look at the pretty pink Housekeepers box set, labelled “Clean Polish & Sparkle”, £25 from Next; Designer Lisa Stickley’s floral Housekeepers Box, £25 from Debenhams. Sit back and chill while a remote control i-Robot Roomba 531 Vacuum Cleaner, £299, from John Lewis does the job.

VINTAGE SPRUCING: Traditional types like solid, practical kit which is clearly labelled – and are more likely to be well-equipped because they’ll often have help with the cleaning. “Nothing beats picking up a wooden-handled dustpan and wooden horsehair brush,” says Marina Guirey, founder of The Linen Works which has a classic range of cleaning kit. “Also, our pieces are totally practical – a goat-hair dust brush is ideal for super soft dusting of lampshades or dado rails, and ostrich feather dusters are renowned for their ability to collect dust rather than move it about”

Take a look at the Ostrich feather duster from £20, Goathair dust brush, £10, and Zinc Dustpan & Brush, £29, all from The Linen Works.

Inspired by ITV’s period drama, Downton Abbey, the Conran Shop has a new hand-crafted cleaning range, including a retro Carpet Beater, £12.95.

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Invest in The Holding Company’s practical Utility Bucket, £21, for keeping the kit together – then all you’ll need is the staff.

GREEN CLEAN: If recycling and looking after the environment is your priority and you wouldn’t give house room to chemicals and toxins try Roullier White’s Mrs White’s Clean Slate, £10 for 500ml, a non-corrosive cleaner for worktops such as marble, granite and slate, and Mrs White’s Smiling Tiling cleaner, £8 for 500ml. An eco-friendly detox kit, £15 for seven pieces from Method Products.

Speed up the spruce-up process with a Shark Team Pocket Portable Steamer, £89.99 from Lakeland, that uses only tap water to lift dirt and stains.

FUNKY FRESHEN UP:

TRY Dunelm Mill’s LadyBird Dustpan and Brush, £1.79, and Matalan’s dish brushes resembling a curvy diva in a red dress or a punky male goth, £4 each from Matalan.