Storage Hacks and Cleaning Tips by Room

Kitchen cleaning tips

The kitchen is at the heart of most homes, and the room many of us spend the majority of our time. Redrow homes feature open-plan kitchens combined with dining and family spaces, designed to be a central hub. Because they are so well-used, kitchens can be a magnet for clutter and cleaning can become a burden, if it’s not regularly attended to. Follow these kitchen cleaning tips for the recipe for success.

1. Make your own oven cleaner. Sustainability manager Olivia Parry suggested: “Try spreading a paste, made from half a cup of baking soda and 2-3 tablespoons of water, inside your oven, leave it to work its magic for an hour or so and then wipe off with a damp cloth. If you have tougher patches spray them with white vinegar. It will foam with the remaining baking soda and ensure your oven is sparkling.”
2. Clean the microwave with two tablespoons of vinegar in a bowl of water and turn onto high for five minutes. “This is one of my favourite cleaning hacks as the steam will do most of the hard work and makes it much easier to clean the microwave, with the bonus that you’re not using any harsh chemicals,” Olivia added.
3. Use a mix of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar to help keep a stainless-steel sink looking fresh.
4. Switch from plastic based sponges and scrubbers to eco-friendly alternatives. “Old clothing or towels can be used as cleaning clothes that can be washed and reused,” Olivia added. “There are also lots of natural biodegradable scrubbers available including those made from walnut, coconut pumice or peach pits.”
5. Repurpose an old toothbrush to help tackle tough stains including those in harder to reach places.

Kitchen storage hacks

Having dedicated area to keep ingredients, cooking utensils, pans, crockery and cutlery will help ensure your kitchen is neat and tidy.

1. “Tiered condiment and spice racks and rotating trays are a great option for kitchen storage and can really help keep your shelves and cabinets looking Instagram ready,” said Helen Joseph, from our in-house interior design team. Plate holders, cutlery trays and butler’s pantry racks can be added as an optional extra via My Redrow, along with a wine cooler.
2. A LeMans corner unit, available as an upgrade via My Redrow in select new homes, including the four-bedroom detached Balmoral, helps make the most of cupboard space while also offering easy access. The trays swing right out in front of the cabinet, great for storing a lot of pots and pans.
3. Invest in reusable containers to keep things like cheese, cooked meats and leftovers fresh, while also reducing strong scents in the fridge. “Decanting goods like cereals and pasta into clear containers can also help you to see what you have in stock so you don’t overbuy,” said Olivia.
4. Keep your recycling out of sight by adding a recycling bin via My Redrow. “You can clean the lids and rims of indoor bins with lemons and limes. Because they’re acidic, they work well for descaling calcium and other dirt deposits and leave a citrusy fresh smell,” Olivia added.
5. If you need extra storage or work space, a kitchen island can be added to selected new homes including the four-bedroom Oxford, via My Redrow.

Bathroom cleaning tips

Bathrooms are our sanctuaries when it comes to health and wellbeing in the home, so it’s no surprise the bathroom is on an equal par with the kitchen when it comes to cleanliness.

1. Use a daily shower cleaner after each shower to keep tiles and grout clean without having to do much work. “Infuse white vinegar in a glass jar with leftover citrus peel to create a fresh smelling solution for cleaning mirrors, shower screens and windows,” Olivia suggested.
2. Unclip the child safety catch on the window and it’ll turn so you can clean the outside easily.
3. A grout pen is a great way to refresh the grout between tiles if they stain over time.

Bathroom storage ideas

From toiletries and medicines to toilet rolls and towels, there are lots of practical items we need in the bathroom. With these storage hacks you’ll be able to avoid bathroom clutter.

1. Bathroom storage units can be added via My Redrow including vanity cabinets in a choice of finishes such as gloss white, matt carbon or Alpine elm.
2. Mirrored storage cabinets in both illuminated and non-illuminated options are available via My Redrow to coordinate with Roper Rhodes bathroom furniture.
3. Invest in stylish, refillable bottles for your toiletries so that they become part of your bathroom décor. These can be replenished in refill stores or with pouches that use less plastic than buying a new bottle each time. Alternatively, swap plastic bottles of shampoo and conditioner for bars, to save both space and waste.

Bedroom storage hacks

In our premium homes, including the Blenheim, Highgate, Highgrove, and Sandringham, the main bedroom has the benefit of either a dressing room or dressing area, providing lots of storage space. Whatever style of home you live in, these storage solutions will help keep your bedroom neat and tidy.

1. Add fabric boxes or wicker baskets to wardrobe shelves for additional storage while ensuring everything looks neat and tidy.
2. Natural and more sustainable materials like coloured wicker, cork and linen look great and your clothes won’t come tumbling out when you open the door.
3. Use Marie Kondo’s technique of ‘vertical folding’ (folding clothes and stacking them side on so you can see everything) in the baskets.
4. Buy furniture that doubles as a place to keep out of season clothes, bedding or towels. “An ottoman bed can house bulkier items such as bed linen or winter coats,” Helen suggested. “This frees up your wardrobes and drawers for clothes. An ottoman bench positioned at the end of the bed provides a seating area as well as a stylish place to keep shoes or bags.”
5. Use vacuum storage bags to store out-of-season clothes so that they take up less space.

Lounge cleaning hacks

Keeping the lounge neat and tidy can be a struggle, particularly if you have young children. When it comes to storage ideas for the living room, our in-house interior design team has the solution. “At Redrow we love an ottoman table or footstool. They look stylish but are also very practical as you can stow things like children’s toys or throws in them,” Helen said.

Follow these cleaning tips to ensure your lounge is a relaxing, clutter free space.

1. Remove furniture scratches with a small amount of non-gel based toothpaste and gently buff till it’s faded, then wipe with a damp cloth.
2. Baking soda is great for freshening up carpets and rugs – just cover any stains with the powder, spritz with a little water, leave overnight, and then vacuum the area well.
3. Olive oil can be used to bring a high sheen to stainless steel and brass surfaces. “Simply pour a little olive oil onto a clean microfibre cloth and rub this onto your murky metals to give them a new lease of life,” Oliva suggested.

If you’re looking for lounge inspiration, we’ve put together a guide to creating a relaxing lounge covering everything from how to choose a sofa to where to put the TV.

Spring cleaning checklist

1. Music on, gym gear on, open windows, start at the top of house and work your way down.
2. Start at the highest points in each room – dusting window treatments, light fittings and artwork.
3. Wipe down all surfaces with the appropriate cleaner – don’t forget kitchen cupboards, cooker hoods, skirting boards, desk fronts, chair and table legs etc.
4. Clean windows and mirrors with a glass cleaner. There are lots of recipes for homemade eco-safe cleaning fluids online.
5. Vacuum soft furnishings like sofas and under the cushions too.
6. Vacuum carpets or clean hard floors. Remember to clean underneath or behind furniture.
7. Keep the space you’re cleaning well ventilated to reduce allergens and allow fumes from cleaning products to escape.

For more ideas to make your house an eco-friendly home, read our guide.