It's time to get rid of winter grime and do a spot of spring-cleaning. Eoin Lyons calls in the experts
CONTRACT CLEANING
Call a company that will blitz your home. Southside Contract Cleaners (01-6773117) will visit and quote a price ("Thorough, fast and respectful without being obsequious," says one client); Hibernian Cleaning Co (01-4780433) also has a good reputation, as does Octopus Services Ros Sparks, offers a home-decluttering service (086-8137984).
ROLL UP A RUG
Getting carpets and rugs cleaned will prolong their life. Send expensive rugs to a specialist, such as in Cork (021-4898000), whose carpet cleaner has 40 years' experience of Persian and oriental rugs. Spring might also be the time to get a new carpet. Maria McVeigh, an interior designer, recommends William Free (01-6684763), in Dundrum. "They have everything, including hard-to-find colours, such as differing shades of grey."
TIDY UP YOUR TILING
Interior designer Philippa Buckley calls on Alliance Property Maintenance (01- 4013970, www.alliancemaintenance.ie) for most projects. Apart from complete renovations and building work, Alliance does "electrics, plumbing, tiling and carpentry,"she says.
POP OPEN SOME PAINT
Getting the whole house, or even a couple of rooms repainted is messy, but it will be worth it come summer. Specialist painters Robbie Keating and David Smullen of Purple Ark (087-6424166) are particularly sought-after for period homes. Another is Michael Davidson (087-6645248), who devotes a lot of time to preparation, leading to very good results. Interior designer Laura Farrell recommends Tony Kampff (01-8214517).
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN
Get the garden in shape for summer. Former model Gary Scully (087-6268373) is one of the most talented when it comes to working with small city gardens. The garden of the home he shares with his wife, television presenter Laura Bermingham, is a good example.
CALL IN A CARPENTER
Have a carpenter fix a wonky banister or make something - bookshelves, perhaps - that you've needed for a while. In Cork Daphne Daunt, interior designer for Ballymaloe, used Noel Barry Joinery (021-4652844) to make a storage unit. Fashion designer Nicola McCutcheon called on Tony Harkin (087-2227372) to make window shutters for her apartment.
CLEAN UP A CHAIR
Sharon Creagh, who owns an interiors store in Rathgar (01-4970731), is skilled at painting furniture, which she did for a Bali-style bench owned by Adele King. Originally dark wood, it is now a much lighter shade. Re-upholstering a sofa or chair in a light, bright colour can also be very effective