Why spring cleaning suits an Adelaide home
A damp finish to winter
June is Adelaide's wettest month, averaging 77.7 mm at Adelaide Airport, and average afternoon humidity reaches 61% that month. Laundries, bathrooms and the backs of wardrobes show it first.
Then the dry
By January and February, afternoon humidity at the airport is back to 36%, and hot northerly winds bring hot air down from central Australia. Spring is the gap between the two, when the windows can stay open.
Plenty of ground to cover
Separate houses made up 75% of occupied homes in Greater Adelaide in the 2021 Census. If you're in one of the townhouses or semi-detached homes that made up another 16%, the stairs and handrails belong on the list.
If you rent
The Law Handbook says SA tenants must keep the home reasonably clean during the tenancy. A spring clean isn't required of you, though it's a tidy way to get ready for an inspection.
The order an Adelaide spring clean follows
High first
Light fittings, the tops of cupboards, door frames and range hood filters, so the dust falls onto what's still to be cleaned.
Then the wet rooms
Shower screens, tiles and grout, where the built-up grime sits.
Then inside
Empty cupboards and wardrobes, wiped out before anything goes back.
Then the edges
Skirting boards, light switches, doors and window tracks.
Floors last
Vacuum before you mop, so nothing is pushed into the corners.
Is spring cleaning what your Adelaide home needs?
It suits a home that's lived in and has fallen behind, or one you want right before a sale, a move or visitors. People often start with one before setting up regular visits, because the first regular clean then has less to catch up on.
Moving out is different: that's an end of lease clean in Adelaide, with SA's own rules. And a home with builders in it needs an after-builders clean, because of the dust.
Mould and strong products in an Adelaide spring clean
Better Health Channel says controlling moisture is the key to controlling mould, so fix leaks first. Don't dry brush mould. If large areas keep growing back, consult a mould remediation professional. Never mix bleach with ammonia, acids or other cleaners, and work with a window open or the fan on.
Pick a mild week for spring cleaning in Adelaide
Choose a mild week in September or October and pick the two rooms that worry you most. Tell the business about them, and how long it's been since a proper clean, so the quote fits the home and not a guess. Empty the cupboards you want done the night before.