The What, Why, and How of Spring Cleaning Your Home

Ah, the annual tradition of The Spring Clean: When all the dust bunnies seem to exponentially multiply and your to-do list suddenly grows at a rate of knots!

Whether you love it or dread it, deep cleaning your home is an important task - it's not just about the satisfaction of making your home sparkle; there is something about it that make you feel lighter, more accomplished and generally like a Bad B... ahem, we mean a "Responsible Adult". 

The What

Getting all your proverbial ducks in a row after a long winter spent in hibernation is incredibly satisfying, however, it also serves an important purpose.

It's essentially "The Great Yearly Reset"; a chance to clear and clean out, review and refocus not just your physical space but also your mental space.

Here are some things to do when spring cleaning:

• Declutter and donate unused or unwanted items
• Dust all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Clean windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces
• Vacuum carpets and rugs or deep clean hardwood floors
• Scrub bathrooms thoroughly, including the shower, tub, sink, and toilet
• Organise closets and drawers by sorting clothes into keep or donate piles
• Wipe down kitchen appliances and cabinets inside and out
• Launder curtains, bedding, and throw blankets
• Sweep outdoor spaces such as patios, decks or balconies

The Why

The benefits of spring cleaning are not limited to the physical results (although they do look pretty awesome!).

Clearing out clutter can help clear your mind, increasing focus and productivity. Plus, with everything in its place, you're less likely to misplace items or waste time searching for them!

A healthier home environment

Regular dusting, scrubbing and vacuuming can help remove harmful pollutants from the air and make your home environment more hygienic.

Most never have to think about just how much general dust and debris can affect our health - however, ask anyone who suffers from allergies and they will tell you that keeping your indoors free of dust/lint, etc. for optimal for well-being.

Without grossing anyone out - it's worth knowing that a lot of common household pests like dust mites, fleas and bed bugs are also attracted to unclean homes...

Boosts mood and productivity levels

It's not just the physical and health benefits of spring cleaning that are worth noting.

When your home is neat, tidy and organised it can help to boost your mood, increase productivity levels and make you feel more relaxed in your own space.

Better Mental Clarity

Reducing the physical clutter in your home can help clear mental clutter too. Having a more organised, uncluttered space can help you feel calmer and less overwhelmed.

The How

Make a plan

Setting yourself up for a successful home overhaul usually starts with a clear plan of what needs to be done (and when, if some of the tasks are time-sensitive).

Get clear on what you want to include: Where do you want to start? With the bedrooms and bathrooms?

What about sorting out that linen cupboard or re-organising your kitchen cupboards?

Also, figure out when can you legitimately fit this into your schedule - make sure to put it in your calendar.

Can you delegate some of the jobs to others? If the kids are old enough to understand what you're doing and why, get them involved - get them to go through their own rooms and allow them to make some decisions on what they want to keep or donate.

Start small

Breaking down your plan into bite-size tasks can make it all seem much less terrifying (especially if cleaning isn't really your bag).

Yes, in an ideal world you'd get it all done in a day BUT that's may not be realistic - so start slow and take your time.

Create checklists to keep you on track

Creating checklists helps you focus and stay on top of everything that needs to be done.

Prioritise the tasks that need doing the most (like areas of your home that people see, like the living room) and get those ticked off first.

The checklist should help keep you motivated - plus, it gives you a sense of accomplishment as you work your way through the tasks and start seeing results (especially if this is done over time).

Get the Right Tools for the Job

Having the right tools to get the job done can make all the difference - from mops, dusters and vacuum cleaners to cleaning cloths, buckets and even a steam cleaner for carpets and rugs.

As you start tackling different tasks throughout your home (like deep cleaning hardwood floors) having the right products available will help you get the job done quicker, better and more efficiently.

Don't Forget Your Outdoor Areas

While spring cleaning usually focuses on the indoor areas of your home, don't forget about sprucing up those outdoor living spaces too!

This could be anything from jet-washing driveways and patios to giving decks or balconies a good scrub down.

You could also use this time of year to check on your outdoor furniture and replace any worn out cushions or give them a good clean.

If you have plants in your garden, take some time to prune back any dead foliage and get everything ready for the warmer months ahead.

Finally, once all the cleaning is done, open the windows and let some fresh air in!

Wrap Up:

• Health benefits - such as reducing allergens and dust mites in your home
• Boosts mood and productivity levels
• Clearer mental space with an organised, uncluttered home
• Make a plan for what you want to tackle
• Start small and break down the tasks into manageable chunks
• Create checklists to stay on track
• Get the right tools for the job
• Don’t forget your outdoor areas

Spring cleaning can be a daunting task, but it’s important to take on this chore - not only because of all the health benefits, but also to free up your mind and create a more productive space. Taking the time to make a plan, breaking down tasks into manageable chunks, creating checklists and getting the right equipment will help get you through it. Don’t forget about your outdoor areas too - once all the hard work is done, take a moment to appreciate your clean, fresh and stress-free home!

Happy cleaning everyone!