All set to start your festive home cleaning? Here’s what you must know...

Diwali is just a few days away and with literally no time on yourself, getting your house cleaned before the festivities can get a little difficult. Your long working hours, coupled with relatives and friends dropping by during this time, can make the cleaning process a bit hard. However, we suggest you follow a simple rule — 'one room at a time', so you can have everything worked out smooth for yourself.

De-Clutter Your Wardrobe
Start with your bedroom. It is a rule widely circulated on the internet, 'if you haven't used it in a year get rid of it'. There might be a lot of clothes in your cupboard which you either don't fit into or plan to never wear again — it's time to dispose them.
> Empty out all contents of the closet and wipe off the dust.
> Make three piles — keep, throw and repair, and start tossing each item in the respective pile.

Get your kitchen deep cleaned
Since you will be preparing some yummy delicacies for your friends and family, make sure that the kitchen is well-kept.
> Get rid of the equipment and ingredients you don't use.
> To clean shelves, soak a cloth in hot water mixed with white vinegar and wipe the surface with this. Once the grime is removed, clean the shelves again with a cloth soaked in plain water followed by a dry cloth.
> Use hooks below cabinets to hang cups and mugs. Attach racks to store glasses, crockery etc. Store seldom used things on top shelves or at the back of cupboards.
> Labels help you organise your items effectively. Also, using different colour schemes for different categories.

It's time to change the linens and upholstery
> Put all fabrics for wash and move out the furniture.
> Dust every possible surface, then do the usual cleaning.
> Do remember to clean the door knobs and window panes.
> A soft microfibre cloth is advisable for all glass surfaces, but you can always use old newspapers to give them a shine.

Don't forget about the bathroom
> Hang a plastic bag near the door to dump all the trash- used bottles, broken mugs etc.
> Apply a toilet cleaner on the insides of the WC and let it sit.
> Put everything outside, the shampoos, soaps, buckets, everything, and start scrubbing the shelves with a liquid cleaner.