Published on 12:00 AM, March 21, 2017

by the way

Putting the Spring in Cleaning

It's that time of the year as the direction of the wind changes and the heavy winter clothes have to be folded away. Around the house, the winter air needs to be cleared out as well by cleaning corners and crevices with a change of curtains and bed sheets. Now wonder they call it Spring Cleaning!

To help the urban residents in this process the neighbourhood dry cleaners are ready and raring to go, but are they up to it? Trial and error is not a viable option here so it's better to stick with some well- known names.

Bandbox

Speaking of well-known names, Bandbox is probably the professional cleaning service anyone will start with. Armed with the best in washing and caring equipment and a knowledge base (and fan base) of 27 years, Bandbox is the go-to for those with a whole load of clothes but little time.

Nodiya Dry Cleaners

Tucked away in New Market, this is probably the oldest cleaning service on this list. Small rips and tears, taking care of jamdanis and other costly sarees, Nodiya has been delivering consistent service since the time of our grandparents. 

Top Clean

A newer entrant on the scene compared to the first two, Top Clean promises the best in cleaning and care. Also at the same time they are expanding around the city to meet customer demand optimally. The website lists service prices and there is an automated system of checking laundry status online using user-specific voucher number.

Pressto

This cleaning service provider boasts being the premium launderer on the scene. Pressto extends its services for clothes as well as curtains, bed spreads, blankets and other household items with rates clearly mentioned on the website. 

Hello Laundry

Since laundry is a daily household chore, Hello Laundry has taken a unique approach. It provides monthly package rates to suit individual and family needs. Currently operating within Gulshan, Baridhara and Uttara, this service is promising to be one of the fastest in cleaning and delivery.

Taking care of it at home

It is a cumbersome thing to do, but going old-school with washing and cleaning around the house is not that tough a challenge. For small number of clothing and other items, a weekend has more than enough time. Most woollen items can be taken care of with liquid detergent and after wash fabric softeners. With a washing machine, large bed sheets, medium and light blankets can be cleaned within an hour. As for ironing at home, folding clothes can be tricky for the uninitiated but practice makes perfect. 

However, for formal suites and delicate sarees, YouTube tutorials are good too. But these items are best left to the expert services; fair practice would definitely be to go a well recommended professional cleaner.

Cleaning in and out

it's not just washing and folding clothes, winter wear and blankets that count as Spring Cleaning. Decluttering the house and throwing out unused junk is also a vital part of the process. A simple rule of thumb to follow is – if something hasn't been useful in five years, it's not going to be useful this year. Same goes for clothes that are too small, too big or just not wearable anymore. Making and keeping space is essential for a house to provide the comfort of a home.

Spring cleaning has more or less religious roots, but ultimately it has become one of the most utilitarian aspects in maintaining a household. Daily washing and cleaning aside, an annual cleansing is sometimes what the homes require to get a refresh feel and spotless look. With that in mind, just do not forget to read the washing and cleaning labels before going into Spring Cleaning Mode!

By Iris Farina

Photo: Collected