Spring is here, and it is a typical time for people to overhaul their homes. Spring cleaning is a popular to-do list item this month and with good reason! While spring cleaning allows you to organize and declutter your home, it has mental health benefits. Spring cleaning can reduce stress, enhance productivity, and improve your mood. If you want a chance to create a healthier, happier living space, try these six tips and tricks for spring cleaning.
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Have A Game Plan
Spring cleaning can feel overwhelming, so start by creating a game plan. Don’t think that you have to do it all in one day. Block out some time in your calendar that allows you a few hours to refresh your home. Create a checklist for the areas you want to clean and add any specifics you want to focus on. Put anything you can think of cleaning on the list to make it part of your game plan for tackling spring cleaning. Break each area of the home into manageable tasks and to-dos. Having a clear picture of what you need to do and when you will do it will help you prepare for the enormous task of spring cleaning.
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Use The Right Products
Ensure you tackle spring cleaning with the right products for your home and needs. Many products contain toxins that harm your health, so look at ingredients and choose safe products. Read the labels of the products you use and ensure they can be used on the surface you are cleaning. For example, all-purpose cleaners can damage marble countertops, so specific cleaning products must be used to prevent them from being ruined. Many household items, such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice, can also be used as natural cleaning solutions. These are safe, natural options for spring cleaning products.
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Make It Functional
While spring cleaning, use the time to make your space functional for your needs. It is important that your area serves you and maximizes the space and storage that you have. Consider getting rid of stuff that causes stress. For example, if you are battling untangling the Christmas lights and want to throw them away, consider making that a more functional process. There are options for year-round permanent Christmas lights to remove the clutter that Christmas decor can bring. Having functional space and furniture for your daily living will help you maintain your spring cleaning throughout the year.
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Work From Top To Bottom
Cleaning your home from top to bottom is essential when spring cleaning because it ensures that all dirt and dust are adequately removed. If you start by cleaning the floors and then move on to dusting the cabinets, the dust from the cabinets ends up on your freshly cleaned floors, doing double the work. Starting at the top and working your way down allows you to work through each task systematically and saves time and energy.
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Get Rid Of The Clutter
Decluttering is a key step in the spring cleaning process. When cleaning through your space, set up four piles of your items: keep, donate, sell, and throw away. Be honest with yourself when getting rid of clutter. If you can’t remember the last time you used the item, get rid of it. Once everything is in its proper pile, start moving them. The keep pile gets put away. Be sure that you give stuff a home that makes sense. If you are unsure where to store an item, ask yourself where you would likely look for it first if you needed it. Donate any items that do not have resale value or that can benefit someone in your community. If you have clothing or home items in good condition, do not hesitate to try to make some money back on them. There are several websites and apps to use to sell your clothing that is user-friendly. Lastly, if it has no purpose or value to anyone else, get rid of it! Don’t let the clutter spend another day in your home.
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Set Reminders
After all your hard work, develop a plan to keep it that way. Set weekly reminders in your phone to clean high-traffic areas and monthly reminders to clean windows, baseboards, and other low-need areas. Staying on top of the organization and cleaning your home throughout the year will prevent you from future spring cleaning stress!
