Although the weather may be getting warmer, it’s still spring time. Have you done your spring cleaning yet?
Decluttering your home is very important. Let me explain why, and I’ll give you a few ways you can make the most of your spring cleaning. Are you ready for a clean home?
Make the Most of Your Spring Cleaning
I don’t know about you, but this picture makes me cringe. Having a messy space like this (at home or at work) can be detrimental to your health. Decluttering is so important. Here’s why:
Why Cleaning and Decluttering is Important
Living in clutter can have negative impacts on our mental health. According to an article by “The Times of India,” clutter can actually cause anxiety, anger and stress.
Clutter can make you more tired as well. A “Make Use Of” article says that because humans are naturally bad multi-taskers, seeing clutter adds another “to do” in the brain, taking some of our precious mental energy. The article also stresses that while a cluttered area may help your creativity, being in a clean space helps you make good, smart decisions.
Be sure to check out these articles for more explanation on the importance of decluttering.
Make Use Of: “Clearing Out Clutter is Good for You – But Why?”
The Times of India: “Why Decluttering You House is Important”
Some Spring Cleaning Tasks to Remember
Starting the spring cleaning process can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Is there something you’re forgetting?
We’ve compiled a list of a few things to remember. Although it’s not an exhaustive list, it’s a good place to start.
Windows
Clean your windows inside and out! The weather is starting to warm up, so cleaning the outside of your windows should probably be one of the first things you do.
Don’t forget to clean the window sills and the window coverings. If you have shutters or blinds, wipe them down with a damp cloth. If you have curtains or drapes, wash them, but be sure you know how to wash the fabric you have.
Dust Thoroughly
Take items off of shelves, dressers and other flat surfaces. Give the surfaces and items a good dusting.
You’ll also want to dust photos and frames, ceiling fans, door frames, baseboards and air filter grates.
Floors
Move the furniture in your home so you can be sure to clean the entire floor.
If you have carpet, give it a good vacuum, and then call in the carpet cleaners. If you have wood or tile, sweep it, mop it and scrub it. Be sure to clean out the grout in your tile, and if you have wood floors, be sure to wax them.
Kitchen
Give all your appliances a good deep cleaning. Wipe down the surfaces and scrub out the insides. Be sure that no stickiness or extra food is left. Any appliances that don’t work or you know longer use? Get rid of them!
Clean out your refrigerator, pantry, cabinets and drawers. Throw out old food and kitchen supplies. Get a damp cloth and clean the inside and outside of these storage areas.
Bathrooms
Aside from the regular wipe down of counters, mirrors and toilet, do a deeper clean of your bathroom. Wipe down the walls and scrub out the bathtub and/or shower. Clean the faucets and shower heads. Vinegar does a great job of removing water spots on the metal.
Clean out bathroom cabinets and drawers. Throw away old items and wipe down the surfaces.
Closets and Storage
Go through all the closets and storage areas in your home. Throw or give away stuff you no longer use or want. If you haven’t used something for a year, you’re probably safe to throw it out.
Say Goodbye to Stuff you Don’t Need!
And say HELLO to your gorgeous, clean house!
Remember all those cabinets and closets you cleaned out? Take all the items you no longer need, and either throw them away or take a much-needed trip to Goodwill!
Although sometimes it can be difficult to part with things, I promise you’ll feel so much better when you do!
See some of these articles for more tips on having a clean home:
HGTV: “Spring Cleaning Made Easy”
HGTV: “7 Spring-Cleaning Tips”
House Beautiful: “20 Things You Should Deep Clean this Spring”
Reader’s Digest: “8 Spring Cleaning Tips to Get it Done Faster”