Spring Cleaning 101: A Game Plan For A Fresh Home
It’s springtime, and that means it’s also spring cleaning time. Did you know that it’s natural to want to do spring cleaning in your home?
Over the winter, we are biologically programmed to hoard in our own form of “hibernation.” Think of how bears collect food during the fall to save for the winter hibernation season. Humans do the same with our items. We are psychologically programmed to hold on to items in the winter because we want to create a warm and comforting “nest.”
But when the spring comes and the air opens up, we’re ready to purge everything we saved. We look around at our winter nest, feeling cluttered and overwhelmed.
Our bodies are also affected by the changing season. Leftover winter dust and springtime allergens depress our immune systems and make us more susceptible to colds and sniffles. Spring cleaning your home helps you purge the winter blues and gunk that can make your home cluttered and unhealthy.
But spring cleaning can feel like an overwhelming process. So how can you approach spring cleaning with an easy and healthy game plan?
Below are our tips for moving through the spring cleaning process quickly and efficiently.
1. Open the windows.
We like to start every cleaning process by opening the windows. This introduces fresh air into the home, which can instantly elevate mood and reduce stress. The “smell of spring” can also encourage your brain’s natural urge to purge.
However, you may not want to open your windows if you don’t have a screen, though. You want to keep a barrier between the outdoors and indoors so you don’t invite pollen, allergens, or even birds into your home.
2. Analyze each room.
Take a notebook and walk through each room in your house. Make a list of everything that needs to get done—big and small. This can include small tasks like “take out trash” and “pick up shoes” or larger tasks like “shampoo carpet” and “dry clean curtains.”
We recommend focusing especially on junk drawers, medicine cabinets, closets, and storage areas. Don’t forget to include your outdoor spaces as well.
This kind of analysis can help you keep track of everything that needs to get done during your spring cleaning. It will also keep your productivity high; research shows that you’re more likely to stay motivated when you check items off your to-do list. You get the momentum of accomplishment, which pushes you to accomplish even more—until the entire house is sparkling clean.
When analyzing each area, consider why the mess is happening. What is the reason for the clutter? For example, if there are shoes all over your laundry room, you may need to get a shoe rack. If your wallpaper is cracking, you may want a humidifier in that room. If your son has clothes all over his bedroom floor, he may need a hamper in his bedroom (or a conversation about cleanliness).
This helps you implement new organizational systems that can de-clutter your space and make future cleanings easier.
This process allows you to prepare for each room with the appropriate equipment, tools, and manpower. You should also create a schedule based on how many tasks you’ll need to accomplish.
3. Involve your family.
After making a cleaning schedule, you can assign tasks to members in your family. This can help speed up the cleaning process by getting all hands on deck. It can also be a family fun activity if you blast some music and dance through the house together!
You should give kids the responsibility of their bedrooms. This gives them control over their own space so they feel they are purging their own “lives.” This helps teach responsibility and cleaning skills, while also giving your kids the opportunity to go through the mental de-cluttering that accompanies cleaning the physical space.
Pro-tip: Most kids are reluctant to get rid of their stuff. If you want to put them in the de-cluttering mindset, say, “Get rid of anything you’re too old for.” No pre-teens or teens want to feel like they’re holding on to “baby” clothes or knick-knacks.
4. De-clutter.
Before you can even start cleaning, you need to de-clutter the area. Otherwise, you end up simply moving the mess around as opposed to attacking the root of the problem.
There are four categories of de-cluttering: trash, give away/sell, storage, and keep. Create clearly marked piles or bags for each category. (You don’t want to accidentally give away the keep bag.)
Be sure that you remove every item from the closets or shelves. Removing them entirely and placing in piles helps you see how much you’re actually keeping versus getting rid of. This can help you discard items at a greater rate for a better de-cluttering experience. Plus, you’ll empty out the closets and shelves so you can clean them before putting the items back in.
Trash
“Trash” is anything that you don’t need but can’t donate or sell. These are usually damaged, broken, or “intimate’ items.
Keep in mind, though, that some companies will actually buy “trash” clothes to make rags out of the fabric or old toys to reuse the plastic. Do a bit of research before throwing out piles of trash, which is bad for the environment—and for your wallet!
Give away & sell
“Give away” and “sell” items should be the biggest pile. Anything that you haven’t used in the past year should leave the house.
You can be generous and give away the items. This is the easier option, and it gives back to the community during your spring cleaning. You’ll feel even better about your de-cluttering and yourself. Plus, you may be able to take a tax deduction if you get a receipt.
You can also make extra cash by selling your items. This takes a little bit more work, but it can be fruitful if you have unworn or designer clothing and accessories. You can set up a garage sale or sell on a variety of apps, like LetGo, OfferUp, eBay, and even Facebook Marketplace. You can also find specialty selling apps, like Poshmark for designer clothes and accessories.
Storage
Anything you can’t part with but don’t need on a regular basis should go into storage. You can keep storage in your basement, attic, or separate storage unit. You may also have a separate “seasonal” closet, where you can store your winter clothes in the summer and vice versa.
You should store any items that have immense sentimental value or those that you won’t need to use until the following season.
If something has an emotional attachment, but you don’t really need it, consider taking a picture of it. This will help you keep the memory without taking up space. You could also consider turning the item into a decorative display.
We’ll go through the specifics of storage below.
Keep
Anything that you use frequently or will use in the upcoming season you’ll want to put in the “keep” pile. Don’t return the items to its spot in your closet just yet, because you’ll want to clean out the closet and drawers before putting the items back. Put these a “keep” area for the time being.
Remember, “I might need this” means you don’t need it. Get rid of all your “mights.”
5. Store your items.
There’s an art to storing your items. You’ll want to store those items that you can’t part with but don’t need on a regular basis.
Below are our top storage tips.
- Clean all items before storing. Dust off items with a microfiber cloth to pick up any gunk. Get your clothes and fabrics dry-cleaned. You want your items completely clean before going into storage.
- We like using plastic storage containers. These are best for avoiding dust, pests, and water damage. You can also stack plastic boxes without worrying about harming items inside. (Always stack with the heaviest box on the bottom and lightest box on top.) Cardboard can work for temporary storage in your closet, but these tend to attract bugs.
- Fold your items. People often make the mistake of hanging items to avoid wrinkles. However, hanging your items can actually cause your clothes to stretch out—thanks, gravity! Instead, fold your items gently. Stack them in loose piles, which helps circulate the air to allow the fabrics to breathe.
- Don’t use mothballs. These can be toxic to children and pets.
- Store in clean, cool, dark, and dry places. Avoid high temperatures, direct sunlight, and moisture-prone areas.
- Check on your storage areas regularly. This helps you avoid “disaster” by keeping an eye on potential problems before they worsen.
6. Clean.
Now it’s time to clean! Check out some of our HomeRev resources for the greatest cleaning tips and tricks:
- Spring Cleaning Meditation
- 9 Spring Cleaning Tricks To Reach Hard-To-Reach Places
- The 5 Top Natural Cleaning Solutions
- How To Organize Your Garage
- Eliminating Lingering Odors Naturally
- 13 Cleaning Hacks For Pet Owners
- How And Why Should You Clean Your Washing Machine
- 6 Natural Ways To get Rid Of Insects In Your Home
- How And Why You Should Clean Your Mattress
- How To Care For Wood Floors
- How To Keep Your Grill Clean And Maintained
Conclusion
Optimize on the spring “urge to purge.” The changing seasons is a great opportunity to make some money, do some good, and create a cleaner and healthier home.
What are your spring-cleaning tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments below!
100 Responses
tiyaAbmorne
Вы стараетесь не отставать от мира, и интересуетесь всеми новостями, которые в нём происходят? Тогда для Вас настоящей находкой должен стать портал https://news.mylopata.ru/ . На нём публикуется просто огромное количество статей и материалов, которые будут познавательными для большинства людей. Причём, неважно, что именно Вам нравится больше всего читать – новости политики, экономики или спорта. Вы обязательно найдёте то, что Вам интересно. Причём, много времени на это тратить не придётся, ибо размещён контент грамотно, по разделам.
rovaLBit
Вам предстоит важное мероприятие, и Вы не знаете, где будет лучше всего его провести? Тогда обязательно обратите внимание на банкетный лофт в центре Санкт-Петербурга под названием Хаянис Холл. Ознакомиться с актуальными условиями сейчас не составит труда вот здесь https://hayanishall.ru/ . Многие люди выбирают его для того, чтобы отметить свадьбу, день рождения, или же провести корпоративную вечеринку. И в итоге все остаются довольны, ибо там уютно и красиво. Также, нельзя не отметить и очень вкусную, разнообразную кухню.
ironeJeank
Ищете действительно стоящий адаптивный шаблон DLE 14.хх версии? Их сейчас довольно много имеется. Однако, лучше всего себя зарекомендовал именно адаптивный шаблон dle Future. Ознакомиться с подробностями по его поводу Вы можете здесь https://for-web.ru/shop/1566-adaptivnyj-shablon-dle-future.html . В частности, он обладает двух колончатой структурой, и адаптирован под практически любую ширину экрана. Важно также отметить, что для более ранних версий DLE его тоже вполне возможно использовать, при необходимости.
Eroriaoresee
http://purecbdok.com/# cbd online http://cbdforsalesh.com/# – medterra cbd medterra cbd
Saursetrautrigh
http://cbdoilonlinerr.com/# best cbd buy cbd cbd products pure cbd oil
aspidePioneeVon
pure cbd hemp cbd oil buy hemp oil cannabis oil http://cbdoinlinexo.com/#
VeitteEnlamymn
http://hempcbdoilgh.com/# cdb oils cbd oil at walmart full spectrum cbd oil pure cbd
Wrorkarmacreaps
http://cbdoilforsalejmm.com/# best cbd oil http://cbdoilwalmartiss.com/# – cbd products cbd
VeitteEnlamymn
buy cannabis oil http://purecbdoilgww.com/# – cbd oil online cbd oil online cbd for sale cbd online
Wrorkarmacreaps
cbd oil http://cbdoilforpainrx.com/# buy cannabis oil cdb oils cbd oil
Eroriaoresee
cbd drops http://cbdoilonlinerr.com/# – cbd cbd oils cdb oils
aspidePioneeVon
cbd pills hemp cbd cbd for sale buy cannabis oil http://cbdhempamp.com/# – medterra cbd
Saursetrautrigh
http://hempcbdoilgh.com/# hemp cbd cdb oils cbd oil store best cbd oil
Saursetrautrigh
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ best dating sites gay dating sites top dating sites adult dating sites
aspidePioneeVon
free dating sites no fees http://onlinedatingdd.com/ our time dating free dating sites no fees tinder dating site
VeitteEnlamymn
interracial dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ badoo dating site our time dating bumble dating app
Eroriaoresee
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ facebook dating app absolute dating our time dating best dating web sites
Wrorkarmacreaps
interracial dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – local dating absolute dating christian dating sites
WilliamSUNNY
в москве вакансии хостес без опыта работы
как попасть в эскорт агентство в краснодаре
Eroriaoresee
http://cannabisoilstoretv.com/# buy cbd oil http://hempcbdoilgh.com/# – cbd oil cbd oil for sale
Saursetrautrigh
http://cbdoilstoretv.com/# medterra cbd cbd pills cbd hemp cbd oil
VeitteEnlamymn
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ best dating profiles http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – tinder dating app free dating site
Eroriaoresee
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ best dating sites http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – zoosk dating site online dating site
Wrorkarmacreaps
dating best dating apps adult dating
Saursetrautrigh
online dating site zoosk dating site free dating websites tinder dating site http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – dating site
aspidePioneeVon
online dating apps http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – free dating sites ourtime dating site dating naked dating apps
Wrorkarmacreaps
cbd cream cbd pure cdb oils cbd oil at walmart
VeitteEnlamymn
cbd pure cbd oil online cbd pills cbd cream
aspidePioneeVon
cbd near me http://cbdoilonlinerr.com/# – cbd online cbd cream cbd buy cbd oil online
VeitteEnlamymn
buy hemp oil buy hemp oil cbd pills cbd online
Wrorkarmacreaps
cbd cream cbd hemp buy hemp oil cbd oil online http://cbdoilwalmartiss.com/# – buy cbd oil online
Eroriaoresee
cbd oil near me http://buycbdoilfo.com/# cbd pills hemp cbd best cbd
Eroriaoresee
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ gay dating free online dating christian dating senior dating sites
aspidePioneeVon
best dating sites http://onlinedatingdd.com/ christian dating mature dating online dating sites
VeitteEnlamymn
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ discord dating servers http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – asian dating speed dating
Saursetrautrigh
free online dating chat dating sim adult dating sites
Wrorkarmacreaps
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ facebook dating site http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – best online dating ourtime dating site
aspidePioneeVon
buy cbd oil online http://cbdoilonlinerr.com/# – hemp cbd oil cbd cream cbd oils cbd pills
Eroriaoresee
free dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – top dating sites mature dating silver singles dating site
aspidePioneeVon
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ free dating sites no fees badoo dating site shemale dating senior dating sites
Saursetrautrigh
russian dating interracial dating speed dating tinder dating app http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – best dating apps
VeitteEnlamymn
best dating apps hookup sites mature dating
Saursetrautrigh
best cbd http://cbdgummiesio.com/# – hemp cbd buy cbd oil online cbd store
Eroriaoresee
best cbd oil http://cbdoilhh.com/# best cbd oil buy cannabis oil cbd for sale
aspidePioneeVon
cbd cream http://buycbdoilfo.com/# – cbd cream cbd gummies walmart cbd pills http://cannabisoilhemp.com/#
Saursetrautrigh
http://cbdoilonlinerr.com/# cannabis oil http://hempcbdoilgh.com/# – cbd store cbd oil
aspidePioneeVon
buy cbd pure cbd oil cbd oil online http://cbdproductswin.com/#
Wrorkarmacreaps
http://purecbdoilgww.com/# cbd near me http://cbdforsalesh.com/# – buy cbd oil online cbd oil benefits
aspidePioneeVon
http://cbdoilstoretv.com/# cbd products cbd cream cbd oil store cbd oil near me
VeitteEnlamymn
full spectrum cbd oil cbd near me buy cbd oil online cbd oil http://buycbdoilfo.com/# – cbd products
Wrorkarmacreaps
cbd oil store cbd oil online cbd oil
Saursetrautrigh
http://cbdoilstoretv.com/# cbd oil online http://annabisoilweb.com/# – cbd online cbd oil
VeitteEnlamymn
full spectrum cbd oil http://cbdoilforsalejmm.com/# cbd oil near me buy cbd oil online medterra cbd
Eroriaoresee
best cbd http://cannabisoilhemp.com/# best cbd cbd buy cannabis oil
Wrorkarmacreaps
http://cbdoilonlinerr.com/# cbd tinctures http://cbdoilstoretv.com/# – cbd pure cbd hemp
VeitteEnlamymn
best cbd oil buy cbd oil medterra cbd
Saursetrautrigh
cbd oil near me http://purecbdok.com/# – best cbd oil cbd oil online cbd oil online pure cbd
Eroriaoresee
cbd pure cbd oil online cbd oil benefits cbd oil
Saursetrautrigh
buy cbd oil http://cbdtincturesew.com/# cdb oils buy cbd oil online hemp cbd oil
Wrorkarmacreaps
cbd oil near me http://hempcbdoilgh.com/# full spectrum cbd oil cbd oil for sale cbd oil for sale
Eroriaoresee
cbd cream http://cbdproductswin.com/# – buy cannabis oil cbd drops cbd oil
aspidePioneeVon
cbd store http://cbdstorejj.com/# cbd oil benefits buy cbd oil buy cbd
Eroriaoresee
cbd drops full spectrum cbd oil cbd store
VeitteEnlamymn
hemp cbd http://cbdoilforpainrx.com/# – buy cbd cbd oil at walmart cbd online full spectrum cbd oil
Wrorkarmacreaps
http://buycbdoilget.com/# cbd for sale cbd gummies walmart cbd for sale cbd gummies walmart
Saursetrautrigh
cbd cdb oils hemp cbd buy hemp oil http://buycbdoilonlinerru.com/# – cbd store
aspidePioneeVon
cbd pills cbd oil online cbd oil online pure cbd http://buycbdoilget.com/# – cbd cream
aspidePioneeVon
cbd hemp http://purecbdoilgww.com/# – cdb oils cdb oils cbd pure cbd drops
VeitteEnlamymn
cbd cream http://cbdtincturesui.com/# – cbd drops cbd oil store best cbd oil
Wrorkarmacreaps
hemp cbd http://cannabisoilstoretv.com/# – buy cbd oil online cbd hemp cbd oils
Wrorkarmacreaps
cbd oils http://cbdstorejj.com/# cbd oil at walmart cbd near me medterra cbd
Saursetrautrigh
cbd drops cbd online cbd pills pure cbd
Eroriaoresee
cbd near me cbd oil benefits buy cannabis oil
VeitteEnlamymn
cbd products http://cbdforsalesh.com/# – cbd gummies walmart cbd pure cbd oil at walmart
Eroriaoresee
facebook dating site gay dating sites interracial dating hinge dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – ourtime dating site
Wrorkarmacreaps
christian dating sites senior dating online dating site
VeitteEnlamymn
free online dating chat best online dating sites zoosk dating site dating apps
aspidePioneeVon
zoosk online dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – eharmony dating site local dating dating hinge dating app
Saursetrautrigh
dating site for gay teen http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – free dating senior dating free dating websites bbw dating
Jordanpix
https://lubernet.ru/news/kabelnye-lotki-kakuu-rol-oni-vypolnaut-i-kakimi-byvaut-14154/
https://elektro.guru/polezno-znat/provolochnyie-lotki-vyisokoe-kachestvo-priemlemyie-tsenyi.html
Eroriaoresee
tinder dating site http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – best dating sites facebook dating site hookup sites
Saursetrautrigh
bumble dating facebook dating site best online dating interracial dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – ourtime dating site
Wrorkarmacreaps
dating websites http://onlinedatingdd.com/ dating site for gay teen bumble dating free online dating chat
aspidePioneeVon
dating online eharmony dating site zoosk online dating site best dating sites http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – free online dating
VeitteEnlamymn
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ free dating websites online dating site senior dating sites best dating sites
aspidePioneeVon
cbd oil for sale http://cbdtincturesew.com/# cbd hemp best cbd cbd oil at walmart
HeatherDrinc
Zidbazian (Full Song) Preet DeolNikhil BishtLatest Punjabi Songs 2021
Eroriaoresee
http://fullspectrumcbdoilyw.com/# cbd oil online http://cbdoilwalmartiss.com/# – cbd cream best cbd oil
Saursetrautrigh
buy cbd medterra cbd pure cbd cbd online http://cbdoilwow.com/# – cbd oil at walmart
VeitteEnlamymn
cbd tinctures buy cannabis oil cbd pills cbd cream
Eroriaoresee
hemp cbd buy cbd cbd store cbd pills http://bestcbdoiltws.com/# – cbd pills
aspidePioneeVon
http://cbdhempoildk.com/# full spectrum cbd oil cannabis oil cbd oil store medterra cbd
Wrorkarmacreaps
http://cbdforsalesh.com/# cbd gummies walmart pure cbd oil buy cannabis oil cbd oil for sale
aspidePioneeVon
gay dating interracial dating free dating site hinge dating app
VeitteEnlamymn
tender dating http://onlinedatingdd.com/ free dating site bumble dating site christian dating sites
Wrorkarmacreaps
senior dating sites russian dating facebook dating app
Saursetrautrigh
http://onlinedatingdd.com/ dating site for gay teen http://onlinedatingdd.com/ – free online dating christian dating
Eroriaoresee
date sites http://onlinedatingdd.com/ pof dating hookup sites pof dating
Saursetrautrigh
cbd cream http://cbdoilhh.com/# – cbd cbd cream pure cbd
DonjackGuign
Hi all! ma favorite city is a4319
94eegfds3dslklaa83b d831
https://zootovaryvsems.site/post/cat+chow+urinary
Leave a comment
Designed and Developed By Seller’s Choice
Saursetrautrigh
February 09, 2021
cbd store http://cbdoilstoretv.com/# – cannabis oil cbd online cbd oil store