July 28th, 2021

WHY IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO SPRING CLEAN (AND HOW TO GET STARTED)

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Image via Pexels
 
As the seasons change and the world comes back to life, it’s time to refresh our homes as well. You might be tempted to skip your spring cleaning this year, but decluttering your home can help you declutter your mind. If you’re planning on selling your home soon, an added benefit is that your house will be ready for a showing. Just make sure you clean up after your pets and remove them from the home as well. A good spring cleaning will not only improve your home, but it will leave you feeling mentally and physically ready to tackle the rest of the year. Here are some tips to help get you started, presented by Decluttered Life.

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​Digging Deep
 
A proper ​spring cleaning requires a deep clean. You can’t have a deep cleaning by just dusting surfaces and cleaning the floors. The term “deep cleaning” here means getting into every nook and cranny of your house. It can be a grueling process to do this once or twice a year. To preserve your energy to tackle other home tasks, consider having your home professionally cleaned. You can either have them do a one-time deep cleaning or hire them as a recurring service. You won’t regret the peace of mind of getting a clean home.
 
Eliminating the Clutter
 
We all do it — the mail comes in, schoolwork gets unleashed from backpacks, new clothes come but old clothes don’t go out, and books stack up. The next thing you know, the clutter takes over the house. You start to see piles throughout the house, and you don’t even know what you have. Spring is the perfect time to declutter your house.
 
Organize every room, clear out every drawer, clean out every closet, clean out underneath every bed. Get rid of the trash. Donate what others can use. Keep only what you need and love. Not only will you rid your house of allergens collected in piles of unused items, but you’ll also free your mind of clutter. And an emotional weight will be lifted.
 
If you need help eliminating clutter, there are services available that can help you get things in order. Decluttered Life offers affordable, professional, and discreet organizing services designed to keep your space neat and clutter-free.
 
Focusing on the Furniture
 
When deep cleaning, it is easy to remember to move the furniture and clean underneath. However, most people forget to actually clean the furniture. HGTV recommends finding the tag on the couch and reading the instructions for cleaning the upholstery. You should also remove all cushions, clean removable fabric where possible, vacuum out the crumbs and dust, and clean the backs and bottoms. Furniture can easily retain pet dander and dust. Once you tackle this part of cleaning, you will notice yourself breathing easier.
 
Boosting Your Mood
 
Dust those winter blues away. According to Very Well Mind, cleaning your house can reduce your anxiety. The physical activity involved in cleaning can also help reduce stress and relieve symptoms of depression. It will make you feel like you have some control over your surroundings and center your thoughts. For the rest of spring and into summer, you will be coming home to a house that relaxes you.
 
Clearing the Air
 
While you get rid of the old, it’s time to bring in the new. After you get rid of the dust mites, dander, and other allergens, bring in things that help keep your air clean and eliminate toxins. Here are some things you can do to improve the air quality:

• Add house plants to purify the air.
• Purchase a diffuser and essential oils to eliminate bacteria and add fresh scents.
• Use air purifiers to reduce or eliminate harmful toxins and particles.

 
A spring cleaning that touches every inch of your home will have a large impact on you. You will find that a good cleaning will not only boost your mood — after all, you’ll be working with a clean slate — but that your physical health will improve because you won’t be breathing in allergens daily. When you’re done, you will enjoy your home even more.
 
Aimee Lyons loves DIY and spends every bit of her free time on pet projects--crafting, refurbishing furniture, remodeling rooms, turning her yard into a landscaping masterpiece. She created DIY Darlin to share her DIY knowledge while also serving as a forum to learn from other DIYers.