If your usual cleaning routine consists of a quick zip round the carpets with the vacuum cleaner, there might be a few areas of the home that still need your attention (sorry). But don’t worry, reaching those tricky spots for a thorough clean needn’t require acrobatic skills and armloads of equipment – here’s what you need to know …
Under furniture
Reaching dust, dirt and hair under low-seated sofas or beds can feel like an impossible task (anyone else stumble upon enormous hay bales of pet hair every now and then?), so using a vacuum cleaner designed for hard-to-reach spaces will prove a smart move for cleanliness levels and your back.
The new Shark Stratos cordless range features a sensor that automatically detects the dirt you can’t see, adjusting cleaning power for up to 50% more dirt pick-up* – perfect for those tricky spots. The suction automatically decreases once the debris is cleared. And the wand bends at the touch of a button, meaning it can reach under beds, sofas and coffee tables so you don’t have to. Less straining and doubling over to pick up all that fluff can only be a good thing, right?
Ceilings and light fixtures
Let’s be honest – how often do you really clean up high? A good way to start is with a monthly dust to remove any lingering dirt, fluff or hairs, especially for households with pets or allergy sufferers (you might not spot the dust till up close – so be prepared).
Long-handled dusters with microfibre heads are great for ceilings (they won’t capture all the dust and dirt, but will dislodge it for you to vacuum away afterwards). Or try a device such as Shark’s upright cleaner with lift-away technology – the hosepipe can be detached from the base and used to clean high above your head.
While your focus is on all things high, take the time to wipe the tops of door frames and change any bulbs on the blink. Avoid using anything that might scratch delicate areas such as ceilings (stick to soft brush attachments) and be gentle around decorative mouldings.
Stairs
The staircase takes a pounding so it needs regular TLC, but removing all the dirt, fluff and pet hair that pile up can be an onerous, not to say backbreaking, task.
One way to ease the load is to use a portable vacuum cleaner – or at least one that effortlessly lifts away from its main unit, such as the upright version of Stratos. It has powered brushes that rotate to draw in the dirt and fluff – even in portable mode. The eight-metre power cord means you’ll have plenty of flex to cover the whole staircase, too.
If your staircase has wooden treads, using a steam mop post-vacuum will thoroughly clean and revive them. Shark’s steam mops work brilliantly on marble, tile and stone too, to leave your staircase sparkling.
Curtains, blinds and shutters
If you’ve never cleaned your curtains or blinds, you’re definitely not alone, but it might be time to start. Experts say we should be tackling them once a month, if not more often (not only does keep them looking smart but it helps minimise allergy risk and can help curtains and blinds to last longer, too).
Depending on the type of curtains, blinds or shutters, most can be vacuumed on a gentle setting using a soft brush attachment (check for any stains or marks, and spot-treat as you go). Remember to do both sides.
With shutters, once you’ve vacuumed, wipe them down with a microfibre cloth (an old sock will do if you don’t have one), and don’t forget the windowsills afterwards.
Always aim to clean from top to bottom to avoid having to re-do areas because they’ve been showered in freshly dislodged dust.
*Versus Shark IZ400 in ECO mode.
Find out more about the Shark Stratos range and see Shark’s advanced new technologies in action
