Ask the designer

Interior designer Aisling O’Toole [e-mail] answers all your spring cleaning queries. Email: [e-mail]

Q I know it’s a tradition and all, but do I really need to Spring Clean my home?

A. With modern electric vacuum cleaners, static-charged dusters and cleaning products, we no longer need to throw open our windows to beat the dust from the rugs like our grandmothers. But spring cleaning is a good idea anyway because it gives you a chance to check your house for signs of wear and tear, such as mold, cracked window panes or peeling paint — and repair it before it gets any worse. So get those rubber gloves on.