Home insurance
Clean, Paint, Insure
A guide to spring home tidying that most people get wrong
Spring is that time of year when we suddenly notice the dust we hadn’t seen before, the things we’ve been putting off “for later,” and walls that are no longer as white as we’d like. We open the windows, enjoy the fresh air, and start a thorough clean-up.
However, even though most of us think we know how to do it, the truth is that spring cleaning is often done incorrectly because we focus only on what is visible.
Where to start cleaning – a time-saving order
A deep clean can feel like a huge task, but with good organisation, everything becomes much easier. Plan ahead and get started.
To make spring cleaning easier and faster, a few simple tricks can help. One of the most effective rules is to focus on one room at a time. This avoids a feeling of chaos and allows you to see the results of your work more quickly. Natural cleaning agents, such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon, can be very effective for many surfaces in the home. Not only are they affordable, but they are often more eco-friendly than strong chemical cleaners.
The first step is decluttering and sorting items according to the golden rule of three categories: keep, donate, or discard. This approach helps you quickly decide what really deserves a place in your home. Over the year, we often hold on to things we don’t actually need. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to sort them: keep what you truly want, donate items that are in good condition but unnecessary, and remove anything that no longer serves a purpose. Try to find places where different materials can be recycled. Clothes and shoes can be taken to certain sports stores, glass can be donated in charity drives or placed in designated recycling bins, just like plastics.
After this comes a thorough cleaning of the space. Pay special attention to areas that are cleaned less frequently, such as windows, blinds, carpets, furniture, and kitchen appliances. It’s also the perfect time to reorganise your wardrobes and swap winter clothing for lighter spring and summer attire.
How to properly paint your home – common questions and mistakes
Painting is the most common form of “mini-renovation” we tackle in spring. Although it seems simple, the difference between an average and a great result lies in preparation. Before opening a can of paint, it’s important to protect floors and furniture, remove peeling old layers, and fill any holes from nails or cracks in the walls. The wall must be clean, dry, and smooth; otherwise, the paint will highlight imperfections.
A rule that professionals always follow is the same as with cleaning: work from top to bottom. Start with the ceiling, then move to the walls. Apply paint evenly from top to bottom in a consistent direction, doing two coats to achieve a uniform finish. One of the most common mistakes is skipping the second coat or not allowing proper drying time between layers, which can cause streaks and an uneven look. And perhaps most importantly, if you notice dampness, cracks, or other changes in the walls while painting, this is not just an aesthetic issue – it signals that extra attention is needed to your home’s condition.
What to watch out for during a full home clean
While tidying, pay attention to small signs that could indicate bigger problems, such as damp patches, unusual odours, rust on exposed pipes, or yellow-brown stains around electrical outlets. Most importantly, don’t ignore these warning signs by filing them away under “not urgent” or “we’ll fix it when we get around to it.”
How to check home installations without a professional
You don’t need to be a handyman to notice the basics. Check for dripping taps, pipes under the sink, overloaded extension cables, or warm electrical outlets. Observing fuses, boilers, or washing machines can tell you more than you might think. If something seems suspicious, it probably is. A small check today can prevent a major problem tomorrow.
Home insurance – the final step after spring tidying
Once spring cleaning is done, space is reorganised, and perhaps some minor renovations are completed, it’s natural to want everything you’ve arranged to remain safe and protected. That’s why home insurance is an important final step.
Home insurance ensures that your home and belongings are protected against various unforeseen events that can cause significant financial damage, such as fire, lightning strikes, storms, hail, explosions, or water leaks from installations. Coverage may also include damages caused by floods, flash floods, or earthquakes, as well as burglaries or robberies. Beyond the property itself, home insurance can cover the contents of your home and any outbuildings. An additional advantage is liability protection for third parties, for instance if damage occurs at a neighbour’s property caused by your home, such as flooding due to a burst pipe. Insurance can also include protection for household members against accidents, further increasing the family’s safety.
A key benefit is the simple and quick procedure for taking out a policy, with opportunities for discounts, for example when insuring multiple risks, taking a multi-year contract, or paying the premium in one instalment.
Did you know that a home insurance policy with Globos Insurance for an average apartment of around 60 m² costs roughly the same as two coffees in town?
Photo by: DC Studio
